Fluorescent lamps and health
Encyclopedia
Fluorescent lamps have been suggested to have an impact on human health in various ways.
Fluorescent lamps with magnetic ballasts flicker at a normally unnoticeable frequency of 100 or 120 hertz and this flickering can cause problems for some individuals with light sensitivity, they are listed as problematic for some individuals with autism
, epilepsy
, lupus
, chronic fatigue syndrome
, Lyme disease
, and vertigo
. Newer fluorescent lights without magnetic ballasts have essentially eliminated flicker. In rare cases, fluorescent lighting can also induce depersonalization
and derealization
, subsequently, it can worsen depersonalization disorder
symptomology. Research on these rare cases is very limited and cause and effect often cannot be duplicated.
The normally unnoticeable 100–120 Hz flicker from fluorescent tubes powered by electromagnetic ballasts are associated with headaches and eyestrain. Individuals with high flicker fusion threshold
are particularly affected by electromagnetic ballasts: their EEG alpha waves are markedly attenuated and they perform office tasks with greater speed and decreased accuracy. Ordinary people have better reading performance using high frequency (20 kHz – 60 kHz) electronic ballasts than electromagnetic ballasts.
Early studies suspected a relationship between the flickering of fluorescent lamps with electromagnetic ballasts and repetitive movement
in autistic children. However, these studies had interpretive problems and have not been replicated.
of the United Kingdom
has conducted research that concluded exposure to some compact fluorescent lamp
s (CFLs) for 1 hour per day at a distance of less than 30 cm can exceed safe levels. Touching the exposed bulb results in equivalent exposure to ultraviolet radiation as that of being in direct sunlight.
In 2009, Natural Resources Canada
released a report describing the UV exposure due to lamps of several types. The report states that at 3 cm distance, the recommended daily exposure to ultraviolet radiation for skin and eye damage was attained between 50 minutes and 5 hours depending on the type of lamp; the report observes that such a close distance is unlikely in actual use. The report states that most bare spiral lamps tested gave off more UV than the 60 watt incandescent lamp tested, but that the double-envelope CFLs emitted less UV. At 30 cm distance, the recommended maximum daily exposure was attained between 3 hours and 6 hours, with little difference between the studied 60 Watt incandescent lamp and any bare-spiral CFL. The report states that the Threshold limit value
s used represent otherwise healthy individuals who are not experiencing any hypersensitivity conditions or exposed to substances that increase UV sensitivity. Outdoor sunlight can supply the maximum recommended daily UV exposure in 20 to 100 minutes.
(SCENIHR) in 2008 reviewed. the connections between artificial light and numerous human diseases, including:
The United States Environmental Protection Agency
(EPA) provide safety guidelines for how to clear up a broken fluorescent bulb. Mercury is particularly harmful to children and unborn babies, and so children and
pregnant women should avoid being in the area whilst a bulb is cleared up.
Bulbs which have reached the end of their life should not be disposed of in normal trash, as this will release the mercury. Several
countries have specialised recycling for fluorescent bulbs, e.g. US bulb recycling.
The U.S. EPA has stated that the amount of mercury in a compact fluorescent lightbulb (CFL) is
less than the extra mercury that would be released by the U.S. average mix of power plants to provide the energy used by an equivalent incandescent bulb. http://www.epa.gov/mercury/consumerinfo.htm#cfl.
(allergy to sunlight) can get a rash from fluorescent lighting.
Very photosensitive individuals with Systemic lupus erythematosus
may experience disease activity under artificial light. Standard acrylic diffusers over the fluorescent lamps absorb nearly all the UV-B radiation and appear to protect against this.
In rare cases, fluorescent lighting
can also induce depersonalization
and derealization
, subsequently, it can worsen depersonalization disorder
symptomology. Research on these rare cases is very limited and cause and effect often cannot be duplicated.
The charity
Migraine Action http://www.migraine.org.uk says its members suffer migraines induced by CFLs and there are many anecdotal reports of such occurrences.
Time
Nocturnal exposure to light in the short wavelength ranges (below 530 nm) generated by some fluorescent lamps may interfere with mammalian circadian rhythms due to its suppressing effect on melatonin production. Suppression of melatonin has been linked to cancer in some studies.Fluorescent lamps with magnetic ballasts flicker at a normally unnoticeable frequency of 100 or 120 hertz and this flickering can cause problems for some individuals with light sensitivity, they are listed as problematic for some individuals with autism
Autism
Autism is a disorder of neural development characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. These signs all begin before a child is three years old. Autism affects information processing in the brain by altering how nerve cells and their...
, epilepsy
Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a common chronic neurological disorder characterized by seizures. These seizures are transient signs and/or symptoms of abnormal, excessive or hypersynchronous neuronal activity in the brain.About 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy, and nearly two out of every three new cases...
, lupus
Systemic lupus erythematosus
Systemic lupus erythematosus , often abbreviated to SLE or lupus, is a systemic autoimmune disease that can affect any part of the body. As occurs in other autoimmune diseases, the immune system attacks the body's cells and tissue, resulting in inflammation and tissue damage...
, chronic fatigue syndrome
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Chronic fatigue syndrome is the most common name used to designate a significantly debilitating medical disorder or group of disorders generally defined by persistent fatigue accompanied by other specific symptoms for a minimum of six months, not due to ongoing exertion, not substantially...
, Lyme disease
Lyme disease
Lyme disease, or Lyme borreliosis, is an emerging infectious disease caused by at least three species of bacteria belonging to the genus Borrelia. Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto is the main cause of Lyme disease in the United States, whereas Borrelia afzelii and Borrelia garinii cause most...
, and vertigo
Vertigo (medical)
Vertigo is a type of dizziness, where there is a feeling of motion when one is stationary. The symptoms are due to a dysfunction of the vestibular system in the inner ear...
. Newer fluorescent lights without magnetic ballasts have essentially eliminated flicker. In rare cases, fluorescent lighting can also induce depersonalization
Depersonalization
Depersonalization is an anomaly of the mechanism by which an individual has self-awareness. It is a feeling of watching oneself act, while having no control over a situation. Sufferers feel they have changed, and the world has become less real, vague, dreamlike, or lacking in significance...
and derealization
Derealization
Derealization is an alteration in the perception or experience of the external world so that it seems unreal. Other symptoms include feeling as though one's environment is lacking in spontaneity, emotional coloring and depth. It is a dissociative symptom of many conditions, such as psychiatric and...
, subsequently, it can worsen depersonalization disorder
Depersonalization disorder
Depersonalization disorder is a dissociative disorder in which the sufferer is affected by persistent or recurrent feelings of depersonalization and/or derealization. Diagnostic criteria include persistent or recurrent experiences of feeling detached from one's mental processes or body...
symptomology. Research on these rare cases is very limited and cause and effect often cannot be duplicated.
The normally unnoticeable 100–120 Hz flicker from fluorescent tubes powered by electromagnetic ballasts are associated with headaches and eyestrain. Individuals with high flicker fusion threshold
Flicker fusion threshold
The flicker fusion threshold is a concept in the psychophysics of vision. It is defined as the frequency at which an intermittent light stimulus appears to be completely steady to the observer...
are particularly affected by electromagnetic ballasts: their EEG alpha waves are markedly attenuated and they perform office tasks with greater speed and decreased accuracy. Ordinary people have better reading performance using high frequency (20 kHz – 60 kHz) electronic ballasts than electromagnetic ballasts.
Early studies suspected a relationship between the flickering of fluorescent lamps with electromagnetic ballasts and repetitive movement
Stereotypy
A stereotypy is a repetitive or ritualistic movement, posture, or utterance, found in people with mental retardation, autism spectrum disorders, tardive dyskinesia and stereotypic movement disorder. Stereotypies may be simple movements such as body rocking, or complex, such as self-caressing,...
in autistic children. However, these studies had interpretive problems and have not been replicated.
Ultraviolet radiation risk
Some fluorescent lamps emit ultraviolet radiation that in some circumstances can exceed safe levels. The Health Protection AgencyHealth Protection Agency
The Health Protection Agency, or, in Welsh, Yr Asiantaeth Diogelu Iechyd is a statutory corporation. It is an independent UK organisation that was set up by the government in 2003 to protect the public from threats to their health from infectious diseases and environmental hazards...
of the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
has conducted research that concluded exposure to some compact fluorescent lamp
Compact fluorescent lamp
A compact fluorescent lamp , also called compact fluorescent light, energy-saving light, and compact fluorescent tube, is a fluorescent lamp designed to replace an incandescent lamp; some types fit into light fixtures formerly used for incandescent lamps...
s (CFLs) for 1 hour per day at a distance of less than 30 cm can exceed safe levels. Touching the exposed bulb results in equivalent exposure to ultraviolet radiation as that of being in direct sunlight.
In 2009, Natural Resources Canada
Natural Resources Canada
The Department of Natural Resources , operating under the FIP applied title Natural Resources Canada , is the ministry of the government of Canada responsible for natural resources, energy, minerals and metals, forests, earth sciences, mapping and remote sensing...
released a report describing the UV exposure due to lamps of several types. The report states that at 3 cm distance, the recommended daily exposure to ultraviolet radiation for skin and eye damage was attained between 50 minutes and 5 hours depending on the type of lamp; the report observes that such a close distance is unlikely in actual use. The report states that most bare spiral lamps tested gave off more UV than the 60 watt incandescent lamp tested, but that the double-envelope CFLs emitted less UV. At 30 cm distance, the recommended maximum daily exposure was attained between 3 hours and 6 hours, with little difference between the studied 60 Watt incandescent lamp and any bare-spiral CFL. The report states that the Threshold limit value
Threshold Limit Value
The threshold limit value of a chemical substance is a level to which it is believed a worker can be exposed day after day for a working lifetime without adverse health effects. Strictly speaking, TLV is a reserved term of the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists...
s used represent otherwise healthy individuals who are not experiencing any hypersensitivity conditions or exposed to substances that increase UV sensitivity. Outdoor sunlight can supply the maximum recommended daily UV exposure in 20 to 100 minutes.
SCENIHR study and report
The Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health RisksScientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks
The Scientific Committee on Emerging and Newly Identified Health Risks is one of the independent scientific committees managed by the Directorate-General for Health and Consumer Protection of the European Commission, which provide scientific advice to the Commission on issues related to consumer...
(SCENIHR) in 2008 reviewed. the connections between artificial light and numerous human diseases, including:
- Ultraviolet radiation emitted by fluorescent lighting increases an individual's exposure to carcinogenic radiation by 10 to 30 per cent per year, with an associated increased probabilityProbabilityProbability is ordinarily used to describe an attitude of mind towards some proposition of whose truth we arenot certain. The proposition of interest is usually of the form "Will a specific event occur?" The attitude of mind is of the form "How certain are we that the event will occur?" The...
of contracting squamous cell carcinomaSquamous cell carcinomaSquamous cell carcinoma , occasionally rendered as "squamous-cell carcinoma", is a histologically distinct form of cancer. It arises from the uncontrolled multiplication of malignant cells deriving from epithelium, or showing particular cytological or tissue architectural characteristics of...
by 4 percent. - MelanomaMelanomaMelanoma is a malignant tumor of melanocytes. Melanocytes are cells that produce the dark pigment, melanin, which is responsible for the color of skin. They predominantly occur in skin, but are also found in other parts of the body, including the bowel and the eye...
has been shown to not be affected by CFLs through normal use. - The constituent blue light of CFLs can aggravate retinal diseases in susceptible people, but it is unlikely to occur.
- The report states that "people with Autism/Asperger's syndrome have reported problems which they attributed to fluorescent lighting and any deleterious effects on sufferers of autism or Asperger Syndrome from CFLs cannot be dismissed.
- The inner-ear condition Ménière's diseaseMénière's diseaseMénière's disease is a disorder of the inner ear that can affect hearing and balance to a varying degree. It is characterized by episodes of vertigo and tinnitus and progressive hearing loss, usually in one ear. It is named after the French physician Prosper Ménière, who, in an article published...
can be aggravated by flicker Sufferers of vertigoVertigo (medical)Vertigo is a type of dizziness, where there is a feeling of motion when one is stationary. The symptoms are due to a dysfunction of the vestibular system in the inner ear...
are recommended to not use fluorescent lights. - Polymorphous light eruptionPolymorphous Light EruptionPolymorphous light eruption , or polymorphic light eruption , is a skin condition caused by sunlight.- Types :Two subtypes have been described:*Juvenile spring eruption*Benign summer light eruption-Presentation:...
is a condition affecting the skin thought to be caused by an adverse reaction to ultraviolet light. Its prevalence across Europe is 10-20% of the population Artificial light sources may provoke the condition, and CFLs have been shown to produce an eruption. - Chronic actinic dermatitisChronic actinic dermatitisChronic actinic dermatitis is a condition where a subject's skin becomes inflamed due to a reaction to sunlight or artificial light...
is a condition where a subject's skin becomes inflamed due to a reaction to sunlight or artificial light. Its prevalence in ScotlandScotlandScotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
is 16.5 per 100,000 population. There is evidence that CFLs worsen the condition. - The autoimmune disease LupusSystemic lupus erythematosusSystemic lupus erythematosus , often abbreviated to SLE or lupus, is a systemic autoimmune disease that can affect any part of the body. As occurs in other autoimmune diseases, the immune system attacks the body's cells and tissue, resulting in inflammation and tissue damage...
is exacerbated by CFLs. - There is evidence that Actinic prurigoActinic prurigoActinic prurigo is a not uncommon sunlight-induced, pruritic, papular or nodular skin eruption.-Causes:The cause for actinic prurigo is unknown, however researchers believe that the protein in...
is worsened by CFLs . This disease affects 3.3% of the general population. - 3.1% of the population suffer Solar urticariaSolar urticariaSolar urticaria is a rare condition in which exposure to ultraviolet or UV radiation, or sometimes even visible light, induces a case of urticaria or hives that can appear in both covered and uncovered areas of the skin. It is classified as a type of physical urticaria. The classification of...
, a skin disorder affected by ultraviolet light. Some patients are directly affected by CFLs. - PhytophotodermatitisPhytophotodermatitisPhytophotodermatitis is a chemical reaction which makes skin hypersensitive to ultraviolet light. It is frequently mistaken for hereditary conditions such as atopic dermatitis or chemical burns, but it is caused by contact with the photosensitizing compounds found naturally in some plants and...
may be aggravated by the additional levels of ultraviolet light emitted by CFLs. - Patients undergoing photodynamic therapyPhotodynamic therapyPhotodynamic therapy is used clinically to treat a wide range of medical conditions, including malignant cancers, and is recognised as a treatment strategy which is both minimally invasive and minimally toxic...
are at additional risk of adverse photosensitive reactions caused by CFLs. - Self-reporting suggests that 21% of chronic fatigue syndromeChronic fatigue syndromeChronic fatigue syndrome is the most common name used to designate a significantly debilitating medical disorder or group of disorders generally defined by persistent fatigue accompanied by other specific symptoms for a minimum of six months, not due to ongoing exertion, not substantially...
patients experience sensitivity to light but there have been no studies into the association between chronic fatigue syndrome and CFLs. - One cause of cataractCataractA cataract is a clouding that develops in the crystalline lens of the eye or in its envelope, varying in degree from slight to complete opacity and obstructing the passage of light...
s is exposure to ultraviolet light. Provided the level of UV emission from lamps is within safe limits, and the lamp a sufficient distance away from the individual, there should be no increased risk of developing cataracts. - PhotophobiaPhotophobiaPhotophobia is a symptom of abnormal intolerance to visual perception of light. As a medical symptom photophobia is not a morbid fear or phobia, but an experience of discomfort or pain to the eyes due to light exposure or by presence of actual physical photosensitivity of the eyes, though the term...
is a symptom of excessive sensitivity to light which affects 5 to 20% of the population. No studies have been conducted into the effect of CFLs on sufferers of photophobia but there is the possibility for CFLs to affect sufferers. - There is evidence that flicker can cause seizures in patients with photosensitive epilepsyPhotosensitive epilepsyPhotosensitive epilepsy is a form of epilepsy in which seizures are triggered by visual stimuli that form patterns in time or space, such as flashing lights, bold, regular patterns, or regular moving patterns.-Symptoms:...
, but there has yet to be any evidence to date attributing seizures to compact fluorescent lamps. - Self-reporting suggests fluorescent lamps aggravate dyslexiaDyslexiaDyslexia is a very broad term defining a learning disability that impairs a person's fluency or comprehension accuracy in being able to read, and which can manifest itself as a difficulty with phonological awareness, phonological decoding, orthographic coding, auditory short-term memory, or rapid...
, but tests show that dyslexic patients are unable to detect flicker emanating from light sources.
Mercury
Fluorescent bulbs use mercury vapor. This is harmless in normal operation, but can be toxic if the bulb is broken. A broken bulb will mildly contaminate the local air (so the room should be ventilated) and the glass fragments are toxic.The United States Environmental Protection Agency
United States Environmental Protection Agency
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is an agency of the federal government of the United States charged with protecting human health and the environment, by writing and enforcing regulations based on laws passed by Congress...
(EPA) provide safety guidelines for how to clear up a broken fluorescent bulb. Mercury is particularly harmful to children and unborn babies, and so children and
pregnant women should avoid being in the area whilst a bulb is cleared up.
Bulbs which have reached the end of their life should not be disposed of in normal trash, as this will release the mercury. Several
countries have specialised recycling for fluorescent bulbs, e.g. US bulb recycling.
The U.S. EPA has stated that the amount of mercury in a compact fluorescent lightbulb (CFL) is
less than the extra mercury that would be released by the U.S. average mix of power plants to provide the energy used by an equivalent incandescent bulb. http://www.epa.gov/mercury/consumerinfo.htm#cfl.
Other conditions associated with fluorescent light
In rare cases individuals with solar urticariaSolar urticaria
Solar urticaria is a rare condition in which exposure to ultraviolet or UV radiation, or sometimes even visible light, induces a case of urticaria or hives that can appear in both covered and uncovered areas of the skin. It is classified as a type of physical urticaria. The classification of...
(allergy to sunlight) can get a rash from fluorescent lighting.
Very photosensitive individuals with Systemic lupus erythematosus
Systemic lupus erythematosus
Systemic lupus erythematosus , often abbreviated to SLE or lupus, is a systemic autoimmune disease that can affect any part of the body. As occurs in other autoimmune diseases, the immune system attacks the body's cells and tissue, resulting in inflammation and tissue damage...
may experience disease activity under artificial light. Standard acrylic diffusers over the fluorescent lamps absorb nearly all the UV-B radiation and appear to protect against this.
In rare cases, fluorescent lighting
Fluorescent lamp
A fluorescent lamp or fluorescent tube is a gas-discharge lamp that uses electricity to excite mercury vapor. The excited mercury atoms produce short-wave ultraviolet light that then causes a phosphor to fluoresce, producing visible light. A fluorescent lamp converts electrical power into useful...
can also induce depersonalization
Depersonalization
Depersonalization is an anomaly of the mechanism by which an individual has self-awareness. It is a feeling of watching oneself act, while having no control over a situation. Sufferers feel they have changed, and the world has become less real, vague, dreamlike, or lacking in significance...
and derealization
Derealization
Derealization is an alteration in the perception or experience of the external world so that it seems unreal. Other symptoms include feeling as though one's environment is lacking in spontaneity, emotional coloring and depth. It is a dissociative symptom of many conditions, such as psychiatric and...
, subsequently, it can worsen depersonalization disorder
Depersonalization disorder
Depersonalization disorder is a dissociative disorder in which the sufferer is affected by persistent or recurrent feelings of depersonalization and/or derealization. Diagnostic criteria include persistent or recurrent experiences of feeling detached from one's mental processes or body...
symptomology. Research on these rare cases is very limited and cause and effect often cannot be duplicated.
The charity
Charitable organization
A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization . It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A charitable organization is a type of non-profit organization (NPO). It differs from other types of NPOs in that it centers on philanthropic goals A...
Migraine Action http://www.migraine.org.uk says its members suffer migraines induced by CFLs and there are many anecdotal reports of such occurrences.