Side Effects of Fluorescent Light

Here are a number of negative health effects that have been linked to working under fluorescent lights that are theorized to be caused by this body chemistry mechanism such as:

Migraines
Eye strain
Problems sleeping, due to melatonin suppression
Symptoms of Seasonal Affective Disorder or depression
Endocrine disruption and poor immune systems
Female hormonal/menstrual cycle disruption
Increases in breast cancer rates and tumor formation
Vestibular Disorders

Vestibular disorders affect the human center of balance (the inner ear) creating symptoms of vertigo, imbalance and dizziness among others. Fluorescent light worsens these symptoms due to its brightness and lack of warm light emission. Those experiencing symptoms of a vestibular disorder should avoid department stores and other situations where fluorescent light may be in great concentration.

Headaches and Migraines

The power cycle, or light flicker of fluorescent bulbs using ballasts to stabilize electrical flow may cause eye pain, headaches and migraines in those prone to the fluctuation of sensory information processed by the optic nerve. Pain is reported most often in bulbs using magnetic ballasts that are an older model of fluorescent bulb. Modern ballasts are electronic and use magnets.