Why is fluorescent light considered harsh

This amount is incredibly small, especially when you think about the fact that not too long ago, we were still using thermometers that contained almost milligrams of mercury. And certainly fluorescent lamps do not cause the largest threat of mercury exposure to humans -- that honor goes to coal.

The EPA says mercury is naturally found in coal, so when it is burned at power plants, mercury is released into the air. We do not wish, however, to discount the fact that mercury is a very poisonous substance and should not be treated lightly. That is why when a fluorescent lamp breaks or goes out, there are strict guidelines on how they should be cleaned up and disposed of , which have been set by the EPA. Another negative usually associated with fluorescent lamps is their initial cost, which is higher than those of conventional lighting options -- sometimes as much as three times higher.

So really then it becomes dependent upon your budget whether or not you can use fluorescent lamps in a new construction or retrofit project. However, it is important to remind you of the cost savings pro we already discussed.

So while the initial cost may be more than you were expecting to pay, there is a good chance the lamp will pay you pay after six months and even continue to provide you with savings for years to come. And the last con to fluorescent lighting are the few limitations it has when compared to incandescent light bulbs. For instance, not all fluorescent lamps and CFLs are dimmable.

If you need a dimmable lamp, it's important to make sure it says so on the package or from the manufacturer. If you use a non-dimmable CFL with a dimmer, it can cause the lamp to prematurely burn out, which is no fun for anyone involved. Another negative is the buzzing sound that fluorescent lamps sometimes give off when turned on. The good news is that this is more of a used-to-be problem. Back in the day, most fluorescent lamps used a magnetic ballast, which was the culprit. But nowadays most use an electronic ballast, which has helped solve the problem.

And last but not least, flickering light -- sometimes this can be a problem with a fluorescent lamp. Again, today's technology advances has many manufacturers solving that problem with better ballasts and other technologies that allow the lamp to start and restart flicker-free. Do you ever just feel gross after sitting under bright fluorescents for even a relatively short period of time?

Chances are you have had this experience along with millions of others, and there are a litany of physical and emotional symptoms that develop as a result of your sensitivity to fluorescent lights. Like other symptoms of light sensitivity , fluorescent may lead to the following issues:. Some of these may manifest immediately or within a few minutes of exposure; however, there may be a delay in the onset of these symptoms as well—particularly in the case of some of the emotional side effects.

There is also evidence that conventional fluorescent lighting can reduce productivity, negatively impact mood, increase mental and physical fatigue and even reduce alertness. This is probably the million dollar question: Can fluorescent lights cause or trigger individual headaches or migraine attacks?

The answer is certainly yes, and it is even more likely to act as a trigger if you already have a headache disorder—such as migraine with or without aura, vestibular migraine , or cluster headache, for example.

However, the general population is not immune to the possibility of fluorescent-induced headaches. For example, researchers discovered that office workers exposed to conventional fluorescent lighting had twice as many instances of headaches when compared with more natural lighting environments. There can be other eye-related issues associated with fluorescent light exposure. In addition to the immediate eye symptoms that patients often experience—such as ocular strain, inflammation, and excessive squinting—there is mounting evidence that fluorescents can be bad for your eyes in the long term as well.

Australian researchers have suggested that the ultraviolet radiation of this type of lighting has led to an increase in eye diseases, most notably cataracts. Some medical professionals also have theorized that retinal damage, myopia or astigmatism could also be side effects of fluorescent light sensitivity, particularly due to blue light and overall brightness; however, more evidence is needed to determine if there is indeed a connection.

Furthermore, we also know that those with inherent eye conditions like benign essential blepharospasm, dry eye or uveitis, are frequently more sensitive to fluorescent lights. Even a few minutes of exposure can increase photophobia and many of the other symptoms described above.

Even if you have not been diagnosed with an eye disorder, fluorescent lighting has been shown to arouse the central nervous system, which can lead to eye discomfort, visual stress and diminished reading proficiency. One of the biggest reasons why fluorescent light sensitivity is so prevalent has to do with the sheer amount of offices, schools and public places that utilize it as their primary light source.

For decades, it was deemed the most efficient way to light a building, which unfortunately exposed workers and patrons to all of their negative side effects. A recent study from the American Society of Interior Designers showed that more than two-thirds of employees are unhappy with the lighting in their workspace. Just see how some American workers have described their issues related to fluorescent lights:. Source: medhelp. Thankfully, there is growing movement toward fluorescent alternatives, but it remains slow progress.

When cleaning a fluorescent tube break, the EPA recommends airing out the location of the break and using wet paper towels to pick up the broken glass and other fine particles. Disposed glass and used towels should be placed in a sealed plastic bag. Avoid using vacuum cleaners as they can cause the particles to become airborne.

Extreme conditions can cause the lifespan of a fluorescent lamp to be much shorter than that of a cheap incandescent. Be that as it may, the life of a fluorescent lamp can be extended if left on continuously for long periods of time. The aspect of early failure rates is something to consider if you are using fluorescent lights in conjunction with lighting controls, like motion sensors, that will activate frequently and time out. Light that comes from fluorescent bulbs is omnidirectional.

When a fluorescent bulb is lit, it scatters light in every direction, or degrees around the bulb. Certain areas tend to become overlit from the wasted light, especially in office buildings, and may require additional accessories in the light fixture itself in order to properly direct the output of the bulb. In a study, researchers found that UV exposure from sitting under fluorescent lights for eight hours is equivalent to one minute of sun exposure.

Health problems relating to light sensitivity may become aggravated by the artificial light in sensitive individuals. Researchers have suggested that the UV radiation emitted by this type of lighting had led to an increase in eye diseases, most notably cataracts.

Other medical professionals have theorized that retinal damage, myopia or astigmatism can also be attributed side effects of fluorescent light. Ultraviolet light can also affect valuable artwork like watercolors and textiles. Artwork must be protected by the use of additional glass or transparent acrylic sheets placed between the source of light and the painting.

You typically have to wait anywhere between seconds for older fluorescents to reach their full brightness. Magnetic ballasts are required to operate fluorescent lights. Electromagnetic ballasts with a minor flaw can produce an audible humming or buzzing noise. However, the hum can be eliminated by using lamps with high-frequency, electronic ballasts. As mentioned earlier, disposing of the phosphor, and more importantly, the toxic mercury in fluorescent lamps is an environmental issue.