high-intensity LED streetlights ... emit unseen blue light that can disturb sleep rhythms and possibly increase the risk of serious health conditions, including cancer and cardiovascular disease. [...]
Some [researchers] noted that exposure to the blue-rich LED outdoor lights might decrease people’s secretion of the hormone melatonin. Secreted at night, melatonin helps balance the reproductive, thyroid and adrenal hormones and regulates the body’s circadian rhythm of sleeping and waking.
— washingtonpost.com
While the American Medical Association cautions cities to re-evaluate their use of high-intensity LED lights for health reasons, others have pointed out that most televisions and computers also emit the blue light wavelength found to be potentially harmful. Aside from human health concerns, LEDs are also "a major contributor" to anthropogenic light pollution in the night sky.
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4 Comments
I am convinced that LEDs will be shown to be terrible for our mental and physical health but by the time this is proven it will be too late, you won't be able to buy an incandescent bulb anywhere.
That said, I was recently assured by John Curran PhD, in a presentation sponsored by the Department of Energy, that LED manufacturers are working on improving the color spectrum in LEDs. Apparently they are currently missing some green areas that are why everyone lit up by LED looks harsh and unattractive. If we can make LEDs that make people feel pretty, that will go a long way toward the mental health problems I associate with LEDs!
I don't believe it. Sounds like an impossible thing to prove given the hundreds of other variables like lack of sunlight in cities, stress of urban life, noise pollution, etc...
There is a huge amount of on going research into LEDs and their affect on humans (and other life) on our planet.
Certainly there are likely to be many new health conditions that arise, however it would seem that the only focus for many is that LEDs 'save' energy (actually they just use less energy than other some other light sources).
Just as computer screens and tablets emit short wavelength blue light creating insomnia, street lights that have been specified in colour temperatures that are too cool (towards blue) will do the same.
A very large and multifaceted topic of debate that will no doubt become increasingly pertinent over time.
That image looks like the stage at a music awards show. Is this what streets and sidewalks are going to look like at night?
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