Fluorescent lighting flicker frequency measured against headache and eyestrain incidence in office workers
Wilkins AJ, Nimmo-Smith I, Slater AI, Bedocs L (1989) · Lighting Research & Technology
In a double-blind crossover trial, the weekly incidence of headaches and eyestrain was more than halved when fluorescent lamps were driven by high-frequency electronic ballasts (about 32 kHz, under 7% modulation) rather than conventional 100 Hz ballasts with 43 to 49% modulation depth.
What they studied
Office workers in a UK office building, double-blind crossover
What they found
In a double-blind crossover trial, the weekly incidence of headaches and eyestrain was more than halved when fluorescent lamps were driven by high-frequency electronic ballasts (about 32 kHz, under 7% modulation) rather than conventional 100 Hz ballasts with 43 to 49% modulation depth.
What it does not establish
This entry reports the study. It is not a statement about any building Sage Co. designs or constructs.
Source
- Wilkins AJ, Nimmo-Smith I, Slater AI, Bedocs L (1989). Fluorescent lighting flicker frequency measured against headache and eyestrain incidence in office workers · Lighting Research & Technology · Read at the source
Last reviewed September 23, 2026.
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