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Protect Migraineurs from Compact Fluorescents

May 14th, 2008

In December 2007, the U.S. Congress passed the Energy Independence & Security Act of 2007, which mandates the phasing out of incandescent lighting from stores by 2012, in order to conserve energy and help the environment. The act does not mandate the use of compact fluorescent bulbs (CFL’s), but given that they are the most widely available energy saving bulbs on the market at this time, the least expensive, and the only ones which can be used with existing lighting fixtures, the likelihood is that they will become the standard.  There are other types of energy saving lighting available and under development; including LED lighting, halogens, and improvements in energy efficiency of incandescents.  Let’s encourage the growth of those technologies!

We migraineurs are just as supportive of energy conservation as anyone else. We also want to reverse
global warming and create a sustainable future. But we strongly support making that happen in a way that does not involve CFL’s! Although CFL’s do not visibly flicker as do old fashioned fluorescents, they still flicker, and that flicker is perceptible to the brain if not to the naked eye. Many migraineurs find that CFL’s are a trigger for them. They can also trigger epileptic seizures and lupus flare-ups.

A group of us who blog about and advocate for migraineurs and migraine research have put together a petition, asking Congress to amend the Energy Independence & Security Act to encourage development of other energy-saving technology. We too want a green future, we just don’t want one where we cannot take part in life outside our homes, for fear of encountering migraine triggers. Please join us in asking Congress to amend this law. You can sign the petition at ipetitions.com at this link: Protect Migraineurs from Compact Fluorescents.

- Megan Oltman

Please help us keep the world livable!

Compact fluorescent image courtesy of J. Nathan Matias.

Tags: Compact fluorescent lights, epilepsy, halogen lights, incandescent lights, LED lights, lupus, migraine, Migraine trigger
Posted in Advocacy | Comments (4)

4 Responses to “Protect Migraineurs from Compact Fluorescents”

1. Diana Lee Says:
   May 14th, 2008 at 9:21 pm

   Thank you for promoting the petition with such a great post, Megan.

2. MaxJerz Says:
   May 14th, 2008 at 10:49 pm

   Great post, and great advocacy, Megs!

   -MJ

3. Dave Hobbs Says:
   May 19th, 2008 at 8:48 am

   Great post, Megan. I’ve had one of these bulbs in my home office for over a year (damn thing refuses to burn out) and never considered the connection between it and my increased migraine activity. I think I’ll unscrew it when I get home tonight and burn some additional fossil fuels until 2012.

   I’m of the opinion that a year of twice-weekly migraines has been enough of a sacrifice. Maybe I’ll save for an LED bulb.

   Good stuff and thanks for giving fellow sufferers a forum from which to learn and on which to commiserate.

4. Megan Oltman Says:
   May 19th, 2008 at 3:31 pm

   Dave - Don’t you just love those ah-ha moments? I hope switching out the CFL makes the difference for you! You’ve inspired me to say more, so I’m off to post on alternatives. Put some dimmers on your incandescents and you may save up for those LEDs!
   - Megan

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