Why do the energy efficient light bulbs make me nauseous?

Question

I have them in my house but every few minutes I have to step outside and the headache & nausea go away immediately.

Answer 1

You mean the fluorescent lights?
Those lights give zillions of flashes of light, rather than a steady stream.
It seems that you are sensitive neurologically to these flashes, the same way some people can react with a seizure from strobe lights.
I suggest you go back to the old-style of lighting, or at least replace SOME of the lights in your home and look for other ways to save energy.
Even though you are only getting a little sick, who knows what this is doing to your nervous system where the long-term effects are concerned.

Answer 2

Because they flicker ever so slightly and this can upset the nervous system. No need for you to suffer, change your bulbs back to incandescent bulbs and if you feel you must be "green" do other things but not the lights. I can't stand fluorescent lights and I believe they are making more people sick than is even realized. There has been alot of pressure to go run out and get those light bulbs so hold your own and do what is best for you.

Answer 3

Energy efficient light bulbs come i different colors. Some have a blue glow & sme have a white or purple glow. I'm not sure what you've got but I made the mistake of grabbing the cheapest one & it had a purple glow & it ,too, made me nausious. I then replaced it with the white glow (natural) & I was fine. It may just take you to find the right color bulb. Good luck & I hope this helps.

BTW: You save more than .25 a year by switching to cfl's & such...Don't listen to him.

Answer 4

Whether you actually see it or not, there is a flicker associated with any type of fluorescent bulb. Certain physical conditions will react to this flicker. You may wish to see a doctor if you have a problem with standard fluorescent tubes or if you cannot play video games or have any other problem with anything that might have a flicker such as a movie.

Answer 5

I have a friend who's migraines are triggered by light. She said that the new light bulbs made her nauseous and brought on migraines. So, now she makes sure she buys "bright white" environmentally friendly lightbulbs and she feels fine. Most of the bulbs we buy have a yellowish tinge to them. Hope this helps.

Answer 6

A lot of people with autism or Asperger's have this problem (although other people can have it too). Yes, it's because they flicker. For some reason the IKEA ones are better; cause fewer problems. I don't know why, but I know plenty of people who can't stand normal fluorescents but are fine with the IKEA ones, so I'd recommend trying those.

Answer 7

the florescent bulbs flicker, and incandescent do not the flicker even Theo you do not see it in reality effects you brain and in some cases can make you toss your cookies.
to verfie this stand in front of the bulb take one had and spread your fingers then move your hand up and down you should see many fingers, that is the flicker you do not see but your mind dose thus you get sick.

Answer 8

It is because they have a slight flicker to them that we can hardly see......they have been know to cause migraines, nausea, vomiting, and to those people that have seizures or epilepsy they can cause you to have a seizure so please be very careful if you have epilepsy.......If you are taking medication to prevent seizures, the side effects may not be so bad...but when you 1st start using them, be aware of what they can trigger in you.....good luck with them in the future and God bless you for all your help in saving our planet.....like I said before, if we all pitch in then we can lick this thing..so thankyou for all your help

Answer 9

cos you spening 4 dollars per bulb to save 50 cents a year?

Answer 10

the lights cause optic migraines. you should see your doctor because just about everywhere you go there will be similar lighting.