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January 07 2008

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Do Energy Efficient Bulbs Trigger Migraines?

According to a British migraine lobby group, energy efficient light bulbs could be causing migraines.

A spokeswoman for the group said that the bulbs have been triggering migraines either because of their flickering, or the low intensity of their light.

Jurisdictions around the world have been moving toward banning standard incandescent bulbs. British stores will stop selling all conventional bulbs by the end of 2011.


Sources:

  CBC News January 2, 2008




 
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Comment on This Article Community Comments (23)
 
 
Posted On Jan 07, 2008
I hate them. With a passion.

It isn't so much the mercury that bothers me, it's the severe headaches they cause. My eyes strain in the non-heat-generated, artifical, flickery electrical light. The squeal they emit drives me mad. And the flicker - even in the so-called 'non-flicker new-generation bulbs' - uuuugh, it's awful. I realise not everyone can detect the flicker or hear the sound, but I've been known to run around a room pulling out every plug in sight trying to find the cause of electrical noise...!!

If they ban normal bulbs I'll be stocking up a full cupboard full of the things. It would be an absolute nightmare to have to use CFL's thanks to the govt trying to stop global warming. There are things far more important adding to the problem than a few lightbulbs!! Make recycling easier, cut packaging, eat organic and local, walk/bike, turn of things when not in use... most importantly, cut the over-consumption! Sheesh!

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DizzyIzzy1
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Posted On Jan 07, 2008
Oh pl;ease they said the same thing about the first bulbs.  No one wanted to switch from gas lights to electric, and I'm sure they complained about the lack of fumes from candles a bit earlier when homes were switching to gas light.

Kel


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Posted On Jan 07, 2008
Bless your heart, DizzyIzzy1!  I am sensitive to EMF fields and I know how annoying it can get.

I have a full spectrum light bulb in my reading lamp-and it doesn't flicker.
Makes a difference.

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Posted On Jan 07, 2008
Dizzylizzy1 and Gammagirl - do either of you know if full spectrum light bulbs are available in New Zealand and if so where you can get them?

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Posted On Jan 09, 2008
Dizzylzzy1,

Two global warming sites:


OPE N SKIES TREATY (Scroll down half-way.):

http://www.cuttingthroughthematrix.com/transcripts/Alan_Watt_Blurb_OpenSkiesTreaty_Feb1620 07.html


Mainstream.... OWNING THE WEATHER:

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8262483364410309502


Non-mainstream: What's happening up there?

http://www.bloglines.com/blog/ewing2001?id=3934



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Posted On Jan 09, 2008

Kissamee,


Warning: Vacate room when CFL bulb breaks
Energy-saving devices called so dangerous everyone must leave for at least 15 minutes

http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=59554



Environmentally friendly light bulbs ‘can give you skin cancer’

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/health/healthmain.html?in_article_id=506082 &in_page_id=1774



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Posted On Jan 19, 2008
Hey Lively - I also read that when a CFL bulb breaks, it shatters into tiny pieces. Sorta looks like glitter. How does a person clean this up without a vacuum? Hope it doesn't shatter over the carpet.

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Posted On Jan 04, 2008
I can testify to the fact that when they flicker they can trigger migraines, but I have not found this to be a problem with the smaller coil bulbs for light fixtures and lamps, just the longer fluorescent tubes.
Although I can understand discouraging the use of incandescent bulbs,  I don't agree with an outright ban until there is an affordable MERCURY FREE alternative available.  There are mercury free energy efficient bulbs, yes, but if you are not well to do, purchasing them is not really feasible.

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Posted On Jan 05, 2008
Patty - I am in completely agreement with you.......until they make a MERCURY FREE energy efficient lightbulb, I won't be switching from incandescent.  And we are as earth friendly people as possible, but when you are not supposed to touch or vacuum up a broken bulb because of the MERCURY content...............WELL ALL I CAN SAY - IS WITH THE INTELLIGENCE WE SUPPOSEDLY HAVE THESE DAYS, WHAT THE HELL IS MERCURY DOING IN THE LIGHTBULBS ANYWAY?  Or are we really not as intelligent as we like to pretend?

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Posted On Jan 05, 2008
One brand of mercury free energy efficient bulbs may be found here (no I have no financial interest, wish I did)   http://www.ecoleds.com/

ONE bulb, equivalent to an 100 watt incandescent bulb costs $99 ON SALE.  I'm sorry, but when that's my food budget for a month, no can do.  I have several flourescent bulbs in my home because I had no clue the contained mercury, I don't know how to get rid of them.  The US too, is well on it's way to legislating incandescent bulbs out of existence.  I think mercury overload is a lot scarier than global warning.  Think about our children and what massive harm a broken bulb has the potential to cause.  I wish government fools would get out of our lives until there are viable safe alternatives!!!

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Posted On Jan 05, 2008
I figure its better in the envelope of the bulb then say rolling around in my toofhers.

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Posted On Jan 07, 2008
You are so right on Patty D about the mercury.  Don't you think this is the real reason the light bulbs are being banned?  But as you can see the CBC has to stick their crap about global warming in there, to disguise the truth.  The quote from Gary Lund, was a small part of what he really said.  This is just a push by liberal agendas (of which the CBC is a part, I have proof).  The CBC has a very distorted view of reality.  As per quote from Denis Andrychuk of CBC in response to my email asking them why Liberal PMs were handed questions by the CBC to ask former PM Brian Mulroney at the recent "Mulroney/Schriber" inquiry.  Does this not overstep their unbiased opinion?  "However, let me emphasize that the circumstances in this case are not yet clear.  We are continuing to investigate, and if it is warranted, I can assure you, we will take appropriate action."  Yeah right, but will they report that as news.  I don't think so.

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Posted On Jan 07, 2008
LED:  energy efficient, very long life, no mercury, and no flickering.

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Posted On Jan 06, 2008
I understand that people who are sensitive to EMF's cannot tolerate fluorescent bulbs. I disagree with banning the use of conventional bulbs if there is no reasonably priced alternative available for anyone who is effected by the use of fluorescent bulbs.

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Posted On Jan 05, 2008
I have not purchase any "energy efficient" bulbs due to the flickering.  My husband is prone to migraines, and has a very hard time with any type of fluorescent lighting.

Mary

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Posted On Jan 07, 2008
Mary or anyone else, this is not intended to be a joke or belittling, but seriously, would you be interested in buying all of my incandescent light bulbs?  I switched over to the mercury filled CFL's and have probably a dozen bulbs I will never use. Just pay the shipping and I'll get them over to someone who can use them.
Sincerely.

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Posted On Jan 07, 2008
proact I have lots of them too, most brand new, some still in shrink wrap containers, I only use the CFL's.

Kel

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