Negative Effects of Fluorescent Lighting on Babies

Mercury Toxins

• Fluorescent light bulbs use mercury, which has been proven to be toxic to babies and unborn fetuses. Mercury is a potent neurotoxin, which is why experts recommend that pregnant women abstain from eating fish that may be contaminated with mercury. If a fluorescent light bulb breaks, babies may be harmed from exposure to the mercury. A small household light bulb contains approximately 5 mg of mercury, but this 5 mg retains the potency to pollute up to 5,500 gallons of water. If a light bulb breaks, the potent mercury can pass through the skin, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services. A few of the adverse side effects of skin contact with mercury include chest tightness, lung damage and kidney damage. Some side effects may not manifest for several years.

Headaches

• Fluorescent light bulbs contain magnetic ballasts that flicker at a speed of 120 times per second. Since the human eye can only detect 50 cycles per minute, the rapid flickering can cause headaches. For babies, these headaches may be severe and lead to increased fussiness and irritability, which can, in turn, lead to problems sleeping.

Seizures

• Fluorescent lights flicker at a rate of 120 times per second because of the cycle of electricity. Lamp flicker has been associated with some forms of seizures, according the California Energy Commission. The same commission noted a relationship between epilepsy and older fluorescent lamps, but not between newer fluorescent lamps that have higher frequencies of electronic ballast. Because the electric cycle in newer lamps is much more frequent, the brain does not notice the flicker.

Skin Conditions

• According to the Skin Care Campaign and the British Association of Dermatologists, fluorescent light bulbs exacerbate skin rashes in people with skin diseases and conditions. For unknown reasons, persons with dermatitis, eczema and lupus suffer more severely from their conditions when exposed to fluorescent light. This fact is especially troubling with regard to newborn babies, since one in five babies already suffer from eczema or a related skin condition.

Eye Damage

• According to the National Eye Institute, the light in fluorescent bulbs may be harmful to the eyes, especially in premature babies. Fluorescent light contains more short-wavelength (below 500 nanometers), high-energy green, blue and violet light than natural sunlight. These colored short wavelengths are known to cause eye strain, especially in premature infants whose eyes are not as developed as mature, full-term infants.