Are LED Lights Harmful?
LED lights have many advantages but is there another side to the story too?
With technological advancements in the lighting industry, LED lighting systems have emerged as one of the most sought-after lighting systems of the world. LED lights are not only designed to fulfil criteria like energy efficiency and longevity but are also available in various colours. But the big question is – are LED lighting systems safe for our homes? This article will let you know all about how LED lights work and their potential hazards.
How do LED lights work?
- LED lights mean light-emitting diodes; they are semi conductors that emit energy in the form of light. When electricity is supplied into these lights, energy is released in the form of photons through a process called electroluminescence (a phenomenon in which the material emits light).
- LED lights produce instantaneous lighting and do not require starters or chokes, unlike in some of the conventional lighting systems.
- Additionally, LED lights are available in different types of brightness and a variety of colours, as they can emit different wavelengths of light.
Are LED lights environmentally friendly?
- LED lights have a long life span, hence in the long run these lights become less of a solid waste.
- Unlike the conventional lighting systems, more than 80 per cent of the energy in LED lights is converted into light.
- LED lights emit a negligible amount of heat.
- Also, LED lights do not contain mercury, which is usually present in conventional fluorescent tube lights and CFL (compact fluorescent light) bulbs.
- LED bulbs operate at low voltage, and therefore use less electricity in comparison to the conventional lighting systems. Hence these lights help in reducing the carbon footprint.
5.5W-Power spot LED Square 4 LED of 1W each
What are the hazards of LED lights?
- Although LED lights have many benefits, one of the hazards discovered in LED lighting systems is that they emit more blue wavelengths of light than the traditional bulbs. As per studies, continuous exposure to blue wavelengths of light after dark may result in disruption of the circadian rhythm, resulting various sleep disorders. This is more true of the blue-rich white lights, than the warm yellows.
- Most LED lights contain small amounts of heavy metals such as lead and traces of arsenic. Since the LED lights are not fragile or brittle, one unlikely to be directly exposed to these heavy metals. They are not a health hazard but are still considered to be hazardous waste that may contaminate the soil or groundwater.
- Another drawback of LED lights is that they do not radiate light all around them like other lighting systems but emit concentrated lighting in a single direction, which may cause some strain on the eye.
How to ensure safety of LED lights?
Read more:
Where to Use Which LED Light?
10 Reasons to Say Yes to LED Lights
Tell us:
What has your experience been with LED lights? Share in the Comments section below.
- Buy products that meet good safety standards. It is advisable to only go with reputed brands of LED lights.
- Go for lights with a warmer colour temperature ranging between 2400 and 3000 K (kelvin) – the higher the K value, the cooler (and bluer) the light. Avoid blue wavelengths of light that are present in cool white colours of LED lights.
- In case the LED lights break, it is important to wear a mask and use gloves to carefully clean up or dispose of the broken bulbs because of the presence of heavy metals like nickel, arsenic or lead.
- Do not look directly into the high intensity LED light source as it may cause damage to the eyes.
Read more:
Where to Use Which LED Light?
10 Reasons to Say Yes to LED Lights
Tell us:
What has your experience been with LED lights? Share in the Comments section below.