Are Fluorescent Lights Dangerous?

As a longtime “Desk Jockey” I think I have fair input on the question about: "are fluorescent lights dangerous?". Well, I can at least complain to you about the nuisance they are to my eyes…and my brain. Thankfully, I have a window office, and as the sun rises just enough, I can shut down the overhead lighting and let in the natural light. But what about you? Are you surrounded by these bright, buzzing lights all day? Is the mercury in the bulbs the real problem? Are they really unsafe?

It’s not surprising to point out that the exposure to both artificial and natural light has a direct impact on our health. As we all already know, moderate exposure to direct sunlight can actually facilitate vitamin D production. This is an obvious positive. Natural light is simply good for you. But, artificial light often has the opposite effect.

According to numerous studies, the unnatural, artificial light that is emitted can wreck your sleeping pattern, cause headaches, and even facilitate depression. Here are the primary concerns that people refer to when calling fluorescent lights dangerous:

Circadian Rhythms

Artificial light can alter your circadian rhythms and prevent them from following a normal pattern. This has the obvious effect of limiting sleep or your more productive REM sleep. Just think about how much later you stay up to watch TV, play online, or stare at your iphone. All of these various screens emit artificial light and have an impact on our ability to shut down…

Immune System

We have discussed the bodies healing response and the corresponding stress response on this site numerous times. Artificial light can impact both. The example of staying up late that was mentioned above can trigger the stress response and have a negative impact on your immune system. In fact, the lack of sleep alone can have an adverse impact, but coupled with the added stress response, you have an unwanted and unhealthy combination.

Depression

Exposure to too much light at night may even cause depression, according to a new study. The artificial light fools the body into releasing the wrong hormones and the wrong time, which can lead to serious fatigue and even depression. Clearly a lack of sufficient sleep coupled with immune system issues can have an alarming effect.

The only way the bulbs are even a remote concern is if they are broken. Even if this were to happen, it remains an unlikely danger. According to Helen Suh MacIntosh, who is a professor of environmental health at Harvard University, “The level and duration of mercury exposure is not likely to be dangerous, as it is lower than the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standard of 0.05 mg/m3 of metallic mercury vapor averaged over eight hours." Again, normal safety precautions are appropriate.

So, in a nutshell we have learned that natural light is better for you than artificial light and we have dispelled the nasty rumor that CFT lightbulbs require a hazmat team to install. At the end of the day, I wouldn’t call fluorescent lights dangerous, per se, but as with anything else educating yourself on the facts helps you lead a better and healthier lifestyle.

References Treehugger.com

New! Comments