The Dark Side of Modern Lighting: Health Risks of Fluorescent and LED Bulbs

Posted on: 

Tuesday, February 18th 2025 at 3:15 pm

Written By: 

GMI Reporter

A silent epidemic is unfolding under artificial lights--could your office or home lighting be a hidden health hazard?

Qucik Summary: 

• Fluorescent and LED lighting contribute to increased cancer risk, particularly malignant melanoma.
• Artificial lighting disrupts stress hormones, increasing the risk of chronic diseases.
• Natural daylight and full-spectrum incandescent lighting improve cognitive performance and overall health.

In an era where technological advancements drive our everyday lives, artificial lighting has become an integral part of our existence. However, a growing body of research suggests that modern non-incandescent lighting--fluorescent bulbs and LEDs--may pose significant health risks. A pivotal 2018 study by Samuel Milham and Dave Stetzer, published in Medical Hypotheses, challenges the longstanding belief that ultraviolet (UV) radiation is the primary driver of cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM). Instead, the study presents compelling evidence that the electronics in fluorescent and LED bulbs generate harmful electromagnetic fields (EMFs), dirty electricity, and radio frequency (RF) radiation, all of which contribute to increased melanoma incidence among indoor office workers and tanning bed users.

The Milham 2018 Study: Key Findings

Milham and Stetzer's research emerged from observations that indoor workers have higher melanoma rates than outdoor workers, a finding inconsistent with the conventional understanding that UV exposure is the main culprit. The study highlights several crucial points:

• Indoor workers and tanning bed users face increased melanoma risks, despite receiving less natural UV exposure than outdoor workers.
• Fluorescent and LED lighting contribute to body amperage levels above known carcinogenic thresholds, measured using a Fluke 187 multi-meter.
• Modern lighting produces dirty electricity and RF radiation, which interact with the human body in ways that could explain the rise in melanoma cases.
• A real-world experiment on a dairy farm found that the introduction of fluorescent lighting led to a drastic drop in milk production, suggesting biological stress from EMF exposure.

Milham and Stetzer propose that modern lighting should be re-engineered to be electrically clean, potentially incorporating a grounded Faraday cage that allows visible light and UV to pass through while blocking harmful frequencies.

Additional Evidence: The Science Advances Study (2021)

A 2021 study published in Science Advances further supports concerns about artificial lighting and its effects on human biology. This research found that chronic exposure to artificial light at night (ALAN) disrupts circadian rhythms, increases metabolic disorders, and may contribute to cancer risk. The findings reinforce the argument that artificial lighting is not just a concern for melanoma but also a broader public health issue, linking exposure to obesity, cardiovascular diseases, and mental health disorders.

Beyond Cancer: Broader Health Implications of Fluorescent and LED Lighting

Additional research corroborates and expands upon Milham's concerns, showing that non-incandescent lighting affects much more than just cancer risk. Robert K. Stevenson's revised report, Replace Toxic Fluorescent Light with Natural Light Now, delves deeper into the physiological and neurological consequences of prolonged exposure to artificial lighting.

The Case for Natural Light

If artificial lighting is contributing to a wide range of health issues, what is the solution? The answer may lie in natural daylight and full-spectrum incandescent lighting.

A study commissioned by the California Public Utilities Commission found that children in classrooms with natural daylight performed significantly better than those in artificially lit environments. Specifically, students with the most daylight exposure:

• Improved 20% faster in math
• Improved 26% faster in reading
• Benefited from reduced stress levels and better overall health

Solutions and Recommendations

Given the mounting evidence against fluorescent and LED lighting, a widespread shift towards healthier lighting alternatives is urgently needed. Here are a few practical recommendations:

1. Eliminate fluorescent and LED lights where possible

• Replace with incandescent bulbs or low-EMF full-spectrum lighting.
• Use red or amber light at night to reduce melatonin disruption.

2. Maximize natural daylight exposure

• Install diffusing lens skylights in schools and workplaces.
• Use light-reflective paint to amplify natural light indoors.

3. Shield against electromagnetic pollution

• Consider using Faraday cages for tanning beds and high-EMF areas.
• Install EMF filters to clean up dirty electricity in home and office environments.

Conclusion

The Milham 2018 study and supporting research present a sobering reality: our reliance on fluorescent and LED lighting may be exacting a heavy toll on human health. With links to cancer, stress hormone dysregulation, metabolic disorders, and cognitive impairment, the dangers of artificial lighting warrant urgent action. By embracing natural light solutions and electrically clean alternatives, we can take a proactive step toward a healthier future.

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References

1. Milham, Samuel, and Dave Stetzer. "The electronics in fluorescent bulbs and light emitting diodes (LED), rather than ultraviolet radiation, cause increased malignant melanoma incidence in indoor office workers and tanning bed users." Medical Hypotheses 116 (2018): 33-39. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.mehy.2018.04.013.

2. Sánchez de Miguel, Alejandro, et al. "Artificial Light at Night: Advances in Measurement and Implications for Ecology, Human Health, and Policy." Science Advances 7, no. 5 (2021): eabe0465. https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.abe0465.

3. Stevenson, Robert K. Replace Toxic Fluorescent Light with Natural Light Now. 2023.

4. California Public Utilities Commission. "Daylighting in Schools: An Investigation into the Relationship Between Daylighting and Human Performance." 1999. https://newbuildings.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/DaylightinginSchools.pdf.