CFLs give a constant, flicker free, non-stroboscopic light. They operate at high frequency through their electronic controller at between 30,000-50,000 hertz (normal mains voltage cycles at just 50 hertz or cycles per second).

A small number of cases have been reported by people who suffer from reactions to certain types of linear fluorescent lamps. In the majority of these cases, the lamps in question were used in offices, restaurants and in limited places in domestic households (such as kitchens and garages) and were almost certainly triggered by old technology which operated on a conventional (Copper-Iron) ballasts with a low frequency (<50Hz mains frequency); this is not the case with new energy efficient linear fluorescent lamp technology which unlike earlier energy efficiency technologies, operates on high frequency drivers (for example, certain fluorescent lamps operate on 50kHz or 50,000Hz).

The above health related problems can be therefore avoided if consumers opt for new technologies such as integrated energy savers (CFL) in households and other sources using high frequency drivers (e.g. linear fluorescents and HID) in other applications (such as offices, restaurants etc). Scientific experts have identified no health impact from energy saving lamps flickering.

Energy saving lamps do not present any risk to the eye retina. Studies have examined the effect of lights on the retina and concluded that looking at energy saving lamps does not damage the eye.

The eye naturally protects itself from excessive light and a natural aversion mechanism prevents it from being exposed to light that is too intense. Sometimes, eyes can be particularly sensitive to blue light, which is present in many energy saving lamps. It is then recommended that people with this sensitivity use yellow filters to soften the light color. Today, many energy saving lamps are available in soft colors, which are more comfortable for the eye. The light exposure resulting from a fluorescent light source for general lighting is less than the typical exposure experienced outdoors.

People affected from light sensitivity or lupus sufferers (a chronic autoimmune disease – of which sensitivity to ultraviolet light is a key symptom) could be affected by either the intensity of the light (i.e. the lumens of the lamp), the spectral property of the light (particularly when the light contains more blue) or when a lamp radiates a small amount of ultra-violet (UV) light. There is a small amount of UV generated by fluorescent lights (such as CFLs). But this is fractional if you compare this to natural daylight. For the many energy savings lamps (such as CFL’s) that do generate higher quantities of UV and blue light, filters are now used to reduce radiation.

LED lamps can emit a range of colors (green, red and blue) and can emit white light by combining red, blue and green LEDs or a LED with a phosphor similar to the ones used in fluorescent lamps. The whiter the lamp is, the more blue (and possible UV) is radiated. Negative reactions to LEDs therefore are probably due to the use of LED lamps with a very white color tone, thus containing a lot of blue. It is important to note that LED technology is still in the very early stages of development, and as such there is a strong possibility that lamps will be made with a certain spectral composition in the future, hence alleviating some of these initial problems.

General tips for people who are sensitive to light:

• If you suffer from a special light sensitivity do not expose yourself directly to the light source. Use indirect light via a white surface, as, in many cases, during reflection UV-radiation will be absorbed (depending of course of the type of surface and material/paint used).
• Use double-envelope energy saving lamps (i.e. lamps with double outer bulb) which mitigate UV-radiation.
• Special covers can be used to fully filter the last bits of harmful radiation from the lamps. For example, Plexiglas or special glass
• UV filters will filter most of the UV light.
• Use yellow filters to filter the blue light.
• When filters are no option, mains voltage halogen lamps are an acceptable alternative. Due to the UV-filtering quartz of the burner, these lamps have UV output levels that are similar to incandescent lamps.
• Reduce the dose (time of exposure, quantity) of light by dimming the lights when possible. Use light sources with a warm color tone (low correlated color temperature); they contain the lowest quantity of blue light.

Energy saving fluorescent lamps emit a small amount of UVA and UVB. However, these are a tiny fraction of the emissions generated by natural daylight (see table comparing UV exposure to daylight).

UV exposure compared to daylight:

There is no risk from ultraviolet light exposure emitted by energy saving fluorescent lamps as their UVA and UVB rays are well within the limits that guarantee consumer protection. The US National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) norm indicates that the maximum time allowed under fluorescent lighting is 24h a day. In addition, European scientific experts did not find any health impact from UV rays emitted by energy saving lamps in normal conditions. For workers exposed to high levels of light and for persons affected by extreme light sensitivity, experts recommended using double-envelope lamps.

Energy saving fluorescent lamps are completely safe to use for consumers and comply with all relevant legislation relating to product safety and consumer protection. Studies have shown that, light in the late evening or at night can suppress the production of the sleep-promoting hormone melatonin.

Relevant for suppressing the melatonin is only the blue part of the light from IL’s, halogen lamps or energy saving fluorescent lamps. It is recommended that people who suspect that lamps are affecting their ability to sleep either dim the lights, or use warm color tone lamps.

The blue part of the light of warm color energy saving fluorescent lamps has the same intensity as from comparable incandescent lamps. So there is no difference between warm-white fluorescent lamps and incandescent lamps with respect to the suppression of melatonin. Today, many energy saving fluorescent lamps are available in warm-white colors.

Do energy saving fluorescent lamps trigger migraines?

Energy saving fluorescent lamps comply with all relevant national consumer protection legislation. All lamps are thoroughly tested in order to ensure safe applications for all consumers. It is understood that headaches are sometimes linked to light, and especially to the red and blue parts of the light spectrum.

Some people are therefore particularly sensitive to blue light, which is present in many energy saving lamps. It is recommended that people with this sensitivity use yellow filters to soften the light color. Today, many energy saving lamps are available in soft colors, which are more comfortable for people who suffer from migraines.

A range of stringent measures have been put in place to manage the health and safety risks from most electrical and electronic products such as lamps. It is in the interests of industry and others responsible for marketing lamps and other lighting products to comply with all relevant legislation to ensure their products don’t affect the health of consumers. In the US (UL), EU (CE) and China (CCC) national legislation includes requirements for various markings which are used to indicate product conformity. In practice the requirement for conformity includes aspects such as product safety and procedures for testing.