Are LED lights making us ill?

[AGXStarseed]

(Not written by me)


Over the last decade, much of Europe and the US have changed the way they illuminate city and town streets.

Councils and local governments from Paris to Brooklyn have replaced high-energy sodium bulbs (the warmer, yellow ones) with energy-saving LED bulbs (with a blue light emitting diode, which can feel harsh in comparison). As well as street lights, most of us are exposed to blue light through smartphones, computers, TVs, and in the home.

Earlier this year, the World Journal of Biological Psychiatry published a paper by a group of prominent psychiatrists that warned of the potential effects of LED lighting on mental illness.

It raised concerns about the influence of blue light on sleep, other circadian-mediated symptoms, use of digital healthcare apps and devices, and the higher sensitivity of teenagers to blue light.

“My concern about LED lighting followed from a larger, earlier concern about the relationship between light exposure and the occurrence of manic and mixed symptoms in bipolar disorder,” said John Gottlieb, Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago and an author of the paper.

“I had already clearly seen that supplemental light exposure - in the form of bright light therapy - was extremely helpful to patients with depression. What I was slower to realize was that excess and poorly-timed light exposure could have adverse effects on manic states and the sleep-wake cycle,” he said.

The paper has implications for the treatment of mental illness. If a person is prescribed a self-monitoring app, and instructed to use their smartphone to document mood changes, for example, and they do this before bed, it could have an adverse effect on their sleep, circadian rhythms and health.

“Because they are ubiquitous, smartphones represent the larger public health hazard,” said Gottlieb. “Streetlights, though, are not benign and together with the entire set of nocturnal lighting for entertainment, traffic, reading, etc contribute to the phenomena of light pollution, which we are becoming increasingly sensitised to.”

Studies of the impact of blue light on healthy adults show it inhibits melatonin secretion which disrupts sleep and can affect quality of life, physical and mental health and susceptibility to illness. Previous studies of sleep disorders in children and adolescents show a clear and consistent relationship between sleep disorders and frequency of digital device usage.

Currently, the National Sleep Foundation guidelines suggest not using technology 30 minutes before bed and removing technology for the bedroom. However, there are currently no specific guidelines for people with an underlying mental illness or sensitivity to circadian disruption.

As LED technology has rapidly spread across the globe, the focus has been on the visual element and the energy-saving element. Now, scientists, health professionals and the LED industry are working to minimise the blue light in LEDs and create customisable lights that won’t harm those suffering from psychiatric disorders.

By Lucy Jones
Featured image by Mixetto/Getty


Source: https://www.bbcearth.com/blog/?article=are-led-lights-making-us-ill&ocid=bbcert

 

[Loren]

I recently left a job, where I was experiencing a type of seizure (of which I was unaware were seizures), caused by recently installed LED lighting, and, I had never had a seizure, prior (that I am aware of). I also, experienced changes in my vision, sensations in my nerves and sensory processing issues. Apart from that, I find the actual light emitted, makes everything appear dull, one-dimensional and unappealing, over-all. I will never use them, personally, and if push comes to shove, and incandescent lighting is to become a thing of the past, I will be stock-piling bulbs and the fixtures of which still accommodate them.

I have been noticing the headlights of newer car models have the effect of LED lighting, as well, and recently, purchased a pair of glasses I wear when driving at night. They, essentially, have the same effect as 'Nightshift' on my iPhone, and f.lux installed on my computer, in case it is of benefit to anyone who may find them useful.

 

[oregano]

Incandescent bulbs are illegal in the USA now, and so are CFL (screw-in flourescent) bulbs. The only thing you can get now are LED bulbs.

I am willing to bet that a lot of the issues that people have are related to poor quality bulbs from China. I remember back when LED was first becoming a thing, a lot of the very first fixtures were very bluish, and they would make my head and eyes hurt. I remember paying a lot of money for an early LED bulb, and it was very dim and blue, and my brain and eyes were going crazy trying to compensate.

Cree is the company that made the breakthrough that made LED lighting feasible, and I have a Cree bulb in my main light fixture. It is really nice, and made in America. I've noticed that pioneering LED bulb makers like Cree and Feit Electric are being carried less and less in stores, and stores are carrying very cheap off-brand bulbs from China instead.

I remember when CFL's went from name brands like Panasonic, Osram, and early GE bulbs to extremely cheap Chinese bulbs, the bulbs which were advertised to have a life of 7 years would burn out after about 1 year, so they lasted about as long as incandescent bulbs. I suspect that the Chinese bulbs that are coming onto the market now will last about the same length of time, and have the same issues as the CFL's with exploding ballasts and such, so in the end not only will the average user not see any real savings either in cost per kwh or per bulb, but there will be a lot of dangerous electronic chemicals in landfills, chemicals that weren't a problem with incandescents. CFL's were hailed as global warming killers until the govt finally had to talk about the highly toxic chemicals in the tube coatings.

 

[Loren]

Incandescent bulbs are illegal in the USA now, and so are CFL (screw-in flourescent) bulbs. The only thing you can get now are LED bulbs.

Actually, thus far, the new lighting standards do not ban incandescent bulbs (nor other bulbs mentioned), thus, they are not illegal. Additionally, incandescent bulbs continue to be sold here/in California, as I am still able to purchase them. Bulbs of all types, including CFLs, LEDs, incandescent and halogen bulbs meet the new standards, and, are simply being designed to use far less energy than bulbs that were being produced, prior to the phasing in of the new standards.

 

[mw2530]

Is it safe to say that that those with ASD may be affected more so than the average person due to higher sensitivity? I have struggled with insomnia for years. It sure makes sense that lighting can throw off sleep patterns, given the use of computers and phones late into the day.

 

[FreeDiver]

Actually, thus far, the new lighting standards do not ban incandescent bulbs (nor other bulbs mentioned), thus, they are not 'illegal'. Additionally, incandescent bulbs continue to be sold here/in California, as I am still able to purchase them. Bulbs of all types, including CFLs, LEDs, incandescents and halogens, meet the new standards, and, are simply being designed to use far less energy than bulbs that were being produced, prior to the phasing in of the new standards.

Actually! incandescent bulbs are being banned and phased out. However, halogens are not and if you didn't know. halogens are actually an incandescent with a hotter burning filament. This hotter burning filament allows it to use 25% less energy than a conventional incandescent. Plus, they last about 5 times longer.

 

[FreeDiver]

Another thing to take into account is not just the type of light. But whather or not that it will flicker at the mains frequency of (50/60Hz). NT's don't notice it, but I do and it drive me nuts. And I think that anyone that has any kind of sensory processing issues can notice it at well.

 

[Progster]

Yes! I have great sensitivity to these blue LED lights, or white CFLs. I have f.lux installed on my PC and the brightness turned down to a minimum. I hate blue or white lights, and always make sure I buy warm yellow ones. Modern car headlights are too bright.

Every year here, there is a fair with stalls open until late at night, but at night, the bulbs are too bright for me, so if I want to visit it, I have to go with sunglasses. I get some strange looks or people staring at me, just because I'm wearing sunglasses at night. Doesn't seem to affect anyone else apart from me.

Another problem I have is with watching videos/TV shows from my LED computer screen - some documentaries have flashing lights and other special effects, and these really bother me. They hurt, or make me feel dizzy, or overload me and I can't watch, I have to close my eyes or look away.

Another thing to take into account is not just the type of light. But whather or not that it will flicker at the mains frequency of (50/60Hz). NT's don't notice it, but I do and it drive me nuts. And I think that anyone that has any kind of sensory processing issues can notice it at well.

Ye, flickering lights bother me - if I look directly at them, they may not flicker, but I can always detect it from the periphery where my eyes are more sensitive to light. Old TVs are really bad for this.

 

[tducey]

Interesting concept. I've never been a fan of them but haven't got sick from being exposed to them.

 

[Joel's Hear]

It's not just LED lights that are extremely bothering to me. It's all lights that are out of place. Particularly small, bright lights in a dark room. I have to tape a small piece of cardboard over smoke detector lights in hotel rooms.

However, my wife is missing some of her vision and the LED lights are by far the best for her sight.

 

[oregano]

Joel, I used to have to do that when I was younger. When I was maybe 14 I asked for a good quality flashlight for Christmas, so my folks bought me a Black & Decker Spotliter. Some of you may remember them-they were rechargeable and plugged into a bulky charging cradle when not in use that in turn was plugged into an AC outlet. The cradle turned out to have a little red LED light on it that was always lit, and it drove me nuts. Finally I taped a piece of construction paper over it. Also, when I first got my ham radio license in 2012 I bought a cheap walkie talkie from China called a Baofeng. It too had a charging cradle with a little green LED that also drove me nuts to the point I folded up a paper towel and taped it over it. Smoke detectors don't seem to bother me too much, even in a hotel room, I think in a hotel room there's light from outdoor security lights and such that compensates.

 

[Tom]

Yes probably, but all lights over the centuries have had some negatives. Its a risk analysis thing. Cough on fumes or stumble into Demogorgon in the darkness.

 

[Mary Anne]

Incandescent bulbs are illegal in the USA now, and so are CFL (screw-in flourescent) bulbs. The only thing you can get now are LED bulbs.

I am willing to bet that a lot of the issues that people have are related to poor quality bulbs from China. I remember back when LED was first becoming a thing, a lot of the very first fixtures were very bluish, and they would make my head and eyes hurt. I remember paying a lot of money for an early LED bulb, and it was very dim and blue, and my brain and eyes were going crazy trying to compensate.

Cree is the company that made the breakthrough that made LED lighting feasible, and I have a Cree bulb in my main light fixture. It is really nice, and made in America. I've noticed that pioneering LED bulb makers like Cree and Feit Electric are being carried less and less in stores, and stores are carrying very cheap off-brand bulbs from China instead.

I remember when CFL's went from name brands like Panasonic, Osram, and early GE bulbs to extremely cheap Chinese bulbs, the bulbs which were advertised to have a life of 7 years would burn out after about 1 year, so they lasted about as long as incandescent bulbs. I suspect that the Chinese bulbs that are coming onto the market now will last about the same length of time, and have the same issues as the CFL's with exploding ballasts and such, so in the end not only will the average user not see any real savings either in cost per kwh or per bulb, but there will be a lot of dangerous electronic chemicals in landfills, chemicals that weren't a problem with incandescents. CFL's were hailed as global warming killers until the govt finally had to talk about the highly toxic chemicals in the tube coatings.

One can still get incandescent bulbs in the USA. They are not “illegal” everywhere I sold some to a customer at Home Depot 2 weeks ago. That’s what she wanted, and although incandescents are no longer manufactured, stores all over still have old stock which is allowed to be sold. Incandescents are being “phased out,” and no longer manufactured, but one can still buy them easily everywhere in the USA, and certainly online.

 

[AloneNotLonely]

In the past I researched light temperature (colour) before buying my light bulbs. All of this is true, but there are different temperatures available for LEDs. So all of these concerns are nonsense, as you can just buy a 2800 Kelvin LED and have the exact same thing as incandescent. The advantage is that incandescent lights are very bad for your skin. LED cannot burn the skin or cause cancer because it releases no heat in the form of UV radiation. This is actually why they use much less energy.

Not only that, but you can get something better than incandescent! You can buy "Candle LED" with 1800-1850 Kelvin. No skin burning, no cancer inducing UV radiation and light at the temperature of sunset/candlelight. It uses less electricity too, and is cheaper to buy considering you nearly never have to replace them. It's better in every way than incandescent or halogen since light at sunset/candle light is better for sleep cycles than incandescent is (these bulbs ALSO cause sleep problems).

So get with the times, gramps. Just don't buy the stupid "4100 K Warm white" nonsense. It's made for schools and businesses. Very good if you want to work as hard as possible, not good if you want to sleep soon.

Edit: I used to have massive sleep problems. The doctor recommended no computer an hour before bed. That worked like a charm but... come on, it's the 21st century. Since the introduction of 1800 K LED I have no sleep problems.

 

[FreeDiver]

The advantage is that incandescent lights are very bad for your skin. LED cannot burn the skin or cause cancer because it releases no heat in the form of UV radiation. This is actually why they use much less energy.

I think you mean "Infrared" (IR) radiation. You cannot get UV radiation from an incandescent. UV only come from the sun and fluorescent lights.

I used to have massive sleep problems. The doctor recommended no computer an hour before bed. That worked like a charm but... come on, it's the 21st century. Since the introduction of 1800 K LED I have no sleep problems.

YMLTK: There are setting on your computer monitor that can be used to lower the color temp of your computer screen.

 

[AloneNotLonely]

Incandescent bulbs do emit UV radiation. It just isn't enough to allow plants to grow. Naturally they emit IR.

Well... I found the setting. Cute but pretty worthless. Went from 6500 K to 5000 K. Hey improvement is improvement. I wonder if a program can lower it below 5000 K. Well haven't had any sleep problems since changing the bulbs anyway...

 

[ChrisHerlihy]

Some lighting businesses have stated that LEDs do not produce UV radiation. However, when building our house, our electrical installations experts from https://www.fordelectrical.co.uk/ told us that standard LEDs create a small amount of UV. That being said, the amount of UV they emit is even less. This is due to the phosphors within an LED lamp that convert the Ultraviolet light to white light. When I found out this, I started using sunscreen all around the year, outside to protect my skin from solar rays and in the house to protect from the UV emitted by the LEDs. So my recommendation would be for everyone to protect their skin whenever possible with sunscreen products.

 

[Slim Jim]

Yeah, This is a troubling concern for everybody as we're all exposed.

 

[GrownupGirl]

Why not? Everything else in the world is making us sick and should have killed us a long time ago.