LEDs – SHEDDING SOME LIGHT

For quite a few years now, the lighting industry has been trying to develop more energy efficient lighting. First they rolled out compact fluorescent bulbs, but they contained mercury and quickly became a toxics nightmare, both for accidental breakage and safe disposal. 

So now they are moving forward very quickly with another option, LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes). A light emitting diode converts electricity into light. LED lights are very energy efficient, using about 85% less energy than traditional incandescent lighting. Another positive is that LEDs convert 95% of their energy into light and waste just 5% to heat, as compared to traditional incandescent bulbs which do the exact opposite.

LED bulbs light our homes, schools, stores and businesses, and they are found in street lights, car headlights and the LED screens on all of our electronic devices.

However, there always seems to be a downside to new technologies, and LED lighting is no exception. LED screens and bulbs emit high-energy visible (HEV) “blue-white light”, which can permanently damage the human eye in several ways and suppress the production of the hormone melatonin which disrupts our normal circadian rhythm (sleep/wake cycle). Before LED lighting, the only exposure we had to HEV light was the sun and the exposure was relatively short-term. Now we are exposed from multiple sources indoors as well, and the amount of time we are exposed is growing fast!

Researchers from Harvard and other academic institutions from around the world warn us to limit the time we spend looking at our screens. This is especially true for children. In addition to the problems listed above, HEV from LED screens is also associated with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. So, besides limiting time spent in front of computer screens, tablets and phones, you should also download the app f.lux and do it for all the screens you and your family uses.  This will turn your screen to a soft yellow/orange color, which is not harmful to your health.

Protect yourself and your family – it’s simple – free – easy - do it!     f.lux

https://justgetflux.com/

Read more about LED street lighting and breast cancer risk here:

https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/ehp935/

-Patti