Low-energy bulbs 'cause migraine' (BBC) {Maybe--ambiguous}

[eppur_se_muova]

Energy-saving light bulbs could trigger migraines, say campaigners.

The Migraine Action Association says members have told them how fluorescent bulbs have led to attacks.

The government is set to prevent the sale of conventional light bulbs within the next four years in a bid to cut carbon dioxide emissions.

Concerns have already been raised by epilepsy charities about an increased risk of seizures from energy-saving bulbs.

Some bulbs use similar technology to fluorescent strip lights, and some users have complained that there can be a "flickering" effect.
***
more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7167860.stm

Posting this here because some DUer's have made similar complaints about CF's. Personally, they don't bother me at all. I did suffer migraines when I was younger, but never thought they were 'triggered' by flickering lights or anything else. It would seem worth carrying out controlled studies to determine the actual scope of the problem, if real.

[Teaser]

1. explains my recent probs

if true.

[OKIsItJustMe]

5. Fluorescent bulbs have long been associated with migraines

http://www.fda.gov/FDAC/features/1998/398_pain.html

My friend complained about fluorescent bulbs giving him migraines at one time. However, it turned out that so long as the lighting was indirect (so he could not see the actual source) he didn't have a problem.

[eppur_se_muova]

14. Thanks for that link, very informative.

I've never gotten a migraine from fluorescents, but I seem to have escaped migraines completely once I got out of my teens.

I do find fluorescent desk lamps annoying, because they are almost always installed/positioned in such a way that they cause a tremendous amount of glare, which leads to eye fatigue and irritation. Wherever I've worked that had a "hutch" or "nook" over the desk, with a fl. light tucked up under that, I've avoided using it. Better to pull the desk out where the overhead light provides good reading light.

[diane in sf]

2. I never use them for reading and close work--the light is not full spectrum--

and I can't get full visual acuity.

[eppur_se_muova]

15. You can certainly get full spectrum fluorescents, even CFL's, for $$$.

Ever try BlueMax™ bulbs? I'd be interested to hear from anyone who has.

http://www.fullspectrumsolutions.com/compact_fluorescent_32_ctg.htm

[diane in sf]

19. We used to use full-spectrum 4' tubes in an office I worked in, but I haven't gotten them

for regular lamps. I've been using long-life incandescents instead. I will check out your link.

[Xithras]

21. The light is similar to a GE Reveal incandescent.

They actually cast pretty good light, but they do still suffer from most of the other issues that plague CFL's.

[Javaman]

3. I don't believe this problem exists with LED's but I could be wrong. nt

[OKIsItJustMe]

4. The LED's I know also flash

Take your favorite LED display (a calculator perhaps?) and wave it in front of your face (or eat potato chips while looking at it to shake your eyes.)

[Javaman]

8. After doing some research on the net...

most calculators have LCD's Liquid Crystal Display. In LEDS (Light Emitting Diodes) they don't work on a cycle or pulse, they are instant on and have a constant flow without a cycle.

However, a few of the articles I did read stated that people that do get headaches from them is do to the intense hard light.

So you are correct in believing that they will give a headache but it's from the light.

I only read one instance were there was a pulse. And that was from cars tail lights. And that is primarily because they are powered via an alternator. And if the alternator is having some issues, you will get the "pulse".

Also, apparently there is a CFL that is in the works that will be "non-pulse".

But if you perceive a pulse or a flicker, I'm not hear to dissuade you, just letting you know what I found.

Cheers. :)

[ChazII]

10. Thank you, Javaman.

I just read at another forum that some people with Lupus find these lights are making their health worse. Looks like I will need to do some research. But thanks again for sharing what you have learned.

[eppur_se_muova]

16. speak of the Devil ... new BBC story on this ...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7170246.stm

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=222&topic_id=29367&mesg_id=29367

[ChazII]

17. Again,Thank you

I hadn't even thought about the workplace. Luckily, in the UK there will be alternatives for the employer. I am sure the same will hold true for the US. Hopefully,
the average citizen will also be allowed to have a choice.

[OKIsItJustMe]

20. showing my age

most calculators have LCD's Liquid Crystal Display. In LEDS (Light Emitting Diodes) they don't work on a cycle or pulse, they are instant on and have a constant flow without a cycle.

I remember when pocket calculators were high-tech marvels. They were all LED's. (My trusty old TI-30 still serves me well.)

[eppur_se_muova]

12. That's because the digits are 'multiplexed', that is, only one lights at a time.

This is done to reduce the number of components in the calculator. It is not intrinsic to LED's, which produce light continuously from a **DC** current.

Of course, any light source driven by AC power may have a 60 Hz (or 55 in Europe) flicker. Depends on how well the DC is smoothed, if at all. I suspect most LED displays are wired as "bridges", so that they are never all off at the same time: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diode_bridge

[kestrel91316]

6. I get migraines, but I have noticed a link to MSG and Equal and hormone cycles.

I have fluorescents at the office and CFLs at home and don't think they cause me any problems.

[Javaman]

9. MSG is a killer. Once I eliminated that from my diet, poof! headaches gone :) nt

[kestrel91316]

11. Well, I disagree that it's a killer, but I woke up to my sensitivity to it

when I had my first even classic migraine with aura recently. I have had the aura without the headache twice in the past several years and didn't know what it was, lol. And I have ALWAYS had bad headaches as an adult. Took me to age 50 to figure out "DUH, I have MIGRAINES".

[Javaman]

13. well, not really a "killer" just a metaphoric killer brain wise...

those aura are freaky aren't they?

[ChazII]

7. My EEG's

show spikes in brain activity with flickering lights. In that test, your eyes are closed while strobe light pulsates. Emergency vehicle lights also bother me if I happen to be stopped near one , say by a stop light or stop sign. Of course those are also pulsating as well. I hope these new bulbs won't cause any problems for those folks whose seizures are triggered by lights.

[patch1234]

18. 'pulsing', will be worse in Europe with their 50 cycle power

compare to 60 in the US

[Zachstar]

22. Use LEDs then.

LEDs are much cleaner and better overall.

The more that people that start using them, the bigger the price drops when production rises.