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Health Issues With Fluorescent Lights

Moderate amounts of sunlight give the body a healthy dose of vitamin D, which helps with our mood and sleep/wake cycles. Fluorescent lighting on the other hand does not match the sun light's color spectrum and can cause negative effects on our health. Some known side effects of being exposed to fluorescent lighting are migraine headaches and overall stress.

  1. Stress

    • According to a study done by the National Research Council of Canada, performed by Jennifer A. Veitch, Ph.D, fluorescent bulbs give a white and cool light believed to raise "stress hormone" cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels. The study showed these levels rise within 14 days of consecutive exposure to this light. The excess of both ACTH and cortisol generates stress in the body.

    Depression

    • Compact fluorescent lights are a source of electromagnetic fields. According to the Canadian Initiative to Stop Wireless, Electronic and Electromagnetic Pollution, exposure to electromagnetic fields may cause loss of homeostasis and depression in humans.

      Additionally, when the body does not have enough exposure to full-spectrum lighting, it will cause the brain to reduce its secretion of serotonin. Serotonin is a monoamine neurotransmitter that regulates our mood. Without the right amounts, seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and depression are likely to occur.

    Migraine Headaches and Eye Strain

    • Most fluorescent light bulbs that contain magnetic ballasts generate a 120 cycles/second flicker. The human eye can only detect 50 cycles/second flickers and the accelerated flickering of a fluorescent light bulb can cause eye strain and mild headaches. The headaches may become severe, depending on the length of time you remain exposed to fluorescent lighting. According to the Australian Government's Department of the Environment, studies show that the flickering of compact fluorescent light bulbs can trigger migraine headaches in those who are prone to suffering from them.

    Toxicity in the water

    • Each fluorescent light bulb contains 5 mg of mercury, which is approximately enough to cover the tip of a pencil. However, the potency of 5 mg of mercury is enough to pollute up to 5,500 gallons of water.

      Fluorescent light bulbs that are not correctly recycled can break in the landfill. Such breaks could potentially pollute underwater rivers and reach our water systems. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, approximately 670 million fluorescent light bulbs are discarded each year in the United States. The mercury released by these bulbs amounts to 2 to 4 tons per year. Mercury in the environment contaminates the food chain which eventually effects human health.

    Toxicity in the bloodstream

    • According to the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services, if a fluorescent light bulb happens to break and the mercury is handled without precaution, the mercury can slowly pass through the skin. This will have adverse effects on human health that could include confusion, chest tightness and lung and kidney damage. Some health effects that can show up after a few years of mercury exposure are cancer, miscarriages and memory loss.

      To avoid mercury intoxication, the room should be aired out to remove toxic mercury vapors, and the mercury has to be picked up with black tape using gloves. The mercury must be taken to a hazardous materials recycling center along with any remaining bulb pieces.

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