Some LED Street Lights Harm Humans, Environment

Because some LED street lights harm humans and the environment, the AMA has adopted Community Guidance for their use.

6/14/2016, https://www.ama-assn.org/press-center/press-releases/ama-adopts-guidance-reduce-harm-high-intensity-street-lights

Some LED street lights harm humans and the environment, the AMA says.CHICAGO – Strong arguments exist for overhauling the lighting systems on U.S. roadways with light emitting diodes (LED), but conversions to improper LED technology can have adverse consequences. In response, physicians at the Annual Meeting of the American Medical Association (AMA) today adopted guidance for communities on selecting among LED lighting options to reduce potential harmful human and environmental effects.

Converting conventional street lights to energy-efficient LED lighting leads to cost and energy savings, and a lower reliance on fossil-based fuels. Approximately 10 percent of existing U.S. street lighting has been converted to solid state LED technology, with efforts underway to accelerate this conversion.

“Despite the energy efficiency benefits, some LED lights are harmful when used as street lighting,” AMA Board Member Maya A. Babu, M.D., M.B.A. “The new AMA guidance encourages proper attention to optimal design and engineering features when converting to LED lighting that lower harmful health and environmental effects.”

High-intensity LED lighting designs emit a large amount of blue light that appears white to the naked eye and create worse nighttime glare than conventional lighting. Discomfort and disability from intense, blue-rich LED lighting can decrease visual acuity and safety, resulting in concerns and creating a road hazard.

In addition to its impact on drivers, blue-rich LED streetlights use a wavelength that most adversely suppresses melatonin during night. It is estimated that white LED lamps have five times greater impact on circadian sleep rhythms than conventional street lamps. Recent large surveys found that brighter residential nighttime lighting is associated with reduced sleep times, dissatisfaction with sleep quality, excessive sleepiness, impaired daytime functioning and obesity.

The harmful effects of high-intensity LED lighting are not limited to humans. Excessive outdoor lighting disrupts many species that need a dark environment. For instance, poorly designed LED lighting disorients some bird, insect, turtle and fish species, and U.S. national parks have adopted optimal lighting designs and practices that reduce the effects of light pollution on the environment.

Recognizing the harmful effects of poorly designed, high-intensity LED lighting, the AMA encourages communities to minimize and control blue-rich environmental lighting by using the lowest emission of blue light possible to reduce glare. The AMA recommends an intensity threshold for optimal LED lighting that minimizes blue-rich light. The AMA also recommends all LED lighting should be properly shielded to reduce glare and detrimental human health and environmental effects, and consideration should be given to use the ability of LED lighting to be dimmed for off-peak time periods.

The guidance adopted today by grassroots physicians who make up the AMA’s policy-making body strengthens the AMA’s policy stand against light pollution and public awareness of the adverse health and environmental effects of pervasive nighttime lighting.

###

Media Contact:
AMA Media and Editorial
Pressroom: (312) 239-4991
Email: media@ama-assn.org

Similar Posts

2 Comments

  1. Michelle, I visited your site and notice that you offer some very detailed product reviews and advice for better sleep. I’d like to recommend another mattress to evaluate. It’s from a less well known mattress company, IntelliBED.

    IntelliBED uses hospital tested IntelliGEL for both cushioning and support, thus eliminating all of the foam and other potentially allergenic materials, making this arguably the most natural, nontoxic, and hypoallergenic mattress for healthy sleep. By avoiding the poly-chemical foam, latex or wool found in other mattresses, IntelliBED is nontoxic, and with an excellent balance of support and pressure relief, it can be promoted as one of the best sleep wellness beds you can buy. Then add the superior durability from using IntelliGEL, and its 30-year warranty, and IntelliBED offers very good long-term value. But as I’m sure you agree, the biggest benefit from buying the right bed comes from the improved health,
    safety and performance that results. For more information on IntelliBED and the IntelliGEL technology, visit the links provided here.

    FULL DISCLOSURE: As founding editor of Modern Health Talk, I’ve long known of the important connections between good sleep and good health, and that’s why you’ll find dozens of articles on sleep here. I’m especially interested in improving the sleep of infants and young children, because that helps their brains and IQ develop, improves their mood and behavior, and effects how well they will do in school, and life. A few years ago I linked up with Dr. Bruce Meleski, a sleep wellness consultant in Austin who owns Intelligent Sleep. I’ve been working with him to develop scalable business models to take our shared vision of Population Sleep Wellness to the next level. Besides featuring IntelliBED, his wellness center includes a RestSpa with bodywork and vibration, light and sound therapies, as well as Cognitive Behavior Therapy for insomnia, nutritional testing & supplements, lighting & earthing products, aromatherapy, and personalized assessments & coaching. He and his team focuse on natural & holistic solutions for sleep that go way beyond just the bed. Check them out at IntelligentSleep.com.

  2. Michelle Henry says:

    *Great post! I think that people are unaware how much their screen time is effecting them. Not getting a good night sleep has so many health and mental complications that come with it. Thanks for sharing!

    Michelle

    http://www.betterbedsolutions.com

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.