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  1. Naked Science Forum
  2. On the Lighter Side
  3. That CAN'T be true!
  4. Are LEDs harmful to health?
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Are LEDs harmful to health?

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Offline thedoc (OP)

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Are LEDs harmful to health?
« on: 25/12/2013 08:30:02 »
Please advise if you have any info on which type of lighting to use in the house. I recently heard that LED lights have a negative effect on the eyes?
Asked by Shaheed

                                        Visit the webpage for the podcast in which this question is answered.

« Last Edit: 25/12/2013 08:30:02 by _system »
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Offline jumitoprenove

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Re: Are LED harmful to health?
« Reply #1 on: 27/06/2018 10:07:42 »
I have the same question.

When I look at this following website to choose a LED lamp, there is voice about the bad effect of LED lamp upon human bodys. Is this true? How do people verify this hypothesis?

But it is well known that LED lamps is energy-saving, which is good to the environment. This is really putting me a place of nowhere to choose.

please check this out, and kindly give me some advice. Thx!

<<<<COMMERCIAL LINKS REMOVED>>>>
« Last Edit: 27/06/2018 15:08:41 by Colin2B »
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Offline chiralSPO

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Re: Are LEDs harmful to health?
« Reply #2 on: 27/06/2018 15:19:11 »
There is nothing inherrently harmful about light from LEDs. However, there is some evidence that some of the bluer frequencies commonly included in "bright white" or "sunlight" LEDs intended for household use can interfere with our sleep-wake cycle. Bright screens (such as phones, computers, and TVs) are implicated by the same research to be disruptive to our sleep-wake cycles (some people use apps that modify their display settings in the evening.)

I remain skeptical of these findings--even if they are statistically significant, it appears that the effect size is rather small, so only a large body of research can firmly establish these effects.

However, if you are concerned, my understanding is that selecting LEDs labeled as "warm" have less of the blue light, and should not be as disruptive as "bright" or "daylight" ones.

LEDs are MUCH more efficient than incandescent lights (using only about 20% of the energy to produce the same brightness), and last significantly longer (when used properly an LED light can last more than a decade). So the environmental benefits are significant.
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Offline evan_au

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Re: Are LEDs harmful to health?
« Reply #3 on: 27/06/2018 22:58:27 »
Quote from: chiralSPO
bluer frequencies ...can interfere with our sleep-wake cycle.
The idea that some cell in the eye was affecting sleep/wake cycles (the circadian rhythm) was supported by certain blind people who stayed synchronised to the day/night cycle, despite having no rod or cone cells in their eyes.
It was eventually traced to a special type of cell in the retina, which is sensitive to the blue light of day, but provides no perceptible conscious input.

So, to be safe, use the "warm" types of LED in the bedroom, or areas where you relax before going to bed.
See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intrinsically_photosensitive_retinal_ganglion_cells#Research_in_humans
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Offline jumitoprenove

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Re: Are LEDs harmful to health?
« Reply #4 on: 28/06/2018 02:06:23 »
Thanks for such prompt reply. It helps a lot.

I guess I understand your point after I read some information in the Wikipedia. I mean, I can feel your point. I used to play cellphone all day long and when I dropped it by the end of the day, I felt terrible as if I were losing my sight. Perhaps indeed blue ray/light hurt a man's eyes, even his sight recognition.

Now I quit playing phone games. All my attention is on Devil May Cry5, or the Elder Roll. LOL
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Offline alancalverd

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Re: Are LEDs harmful to health?
« Reply #5 on: 01/07/2018 07:15:21 »
All computer games are a waste of life.
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Online Bored chemist

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Re: Are LEDs harmful to health?
« Reply #6 on: 01/07/2018 10:25:44 »
"Are LEDs harmful to health?"
I think some of them (red + orange) contain more arsenic than most things you would have in the home.
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Offline jumitoprenove

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Re: Are LEDs harmful to health?
« Reply #7 on: 05/07/2018 08:56:16 »
Hey, guys. I wonder whether the LED lamps made in China safe or not?

I know LED lamps normally are better than incandescent bulbs. But will there be quality issue that eventually harms a man's sight? I am very much afraid of such thing. For example, how is LED lamps of <I'M AN IDIOT SPAMMER AND SO STUPID THAT I THINK OTHER PEOPLE ARE AS DAFT AS ME AND WILL FALL FOR MY SHALLOW TRIPE>? Are their products in good quality?

Thank you for giving me suggestion.

Regards.
« Last Edit: 05/07/2018 13:59:07 by chris »
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Offline chris

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Re: Are LEDs harmful to health?
« Reply #8 on: 05/07/2018 13:59:46 »
Quote from: jumitoprenove on 05/07/2018 08:56:16
Thank you for giving me suggestion.

My suggestion?

Bugger off, and shove your LEDs up your a**e in the process.
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Offline Nika2003

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Re: Are LEDs harmful to health?
« Reply #9 on: 09/08/2018 20:56:40 »
Hey. Thank you for taking an interesting topic. In modern life without an LED can not do. They are everywhere around us. It's both smartphones and computers and lights .... LEDs are actually less prone to adverse health effects than other high-performance lamps that can lead to chronic fatigue syndrome that is characterized by muscle pain, weakness and fatigue, and can also cause headaches, depression, pain and pain, dizziness, loss of memory or confusion; and disturbed sleep.
First of all, there is nothing dangerous about any light in the visible spectrum, if the intensity is not too high. (Sunlight is safe, but does not look directly at the sun.) Problems with artificial lighting have more in common with affecting circadian rhythms of the body - natural cycles that tell our bodies about when to sleep. The light that tilts toward the blue end of the spectrum is similar to the natural daylight that we will see at noon. This is the time when we should be the most productive, therefore our bodies react to this light, being on their guard. Night exposure, however, can lead to sleep disorders, and this is a health problem. (It should be noted that the same problem exists for displays on computers, tablets and smartphones.) Turn off the devices at night and get some sleep.
I think that you have to make your own choice than to use without harm to your health. But from smartphones and computers no one can refuse.
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Offline wolfekeeper

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Re: Are LEDs harmful to health?
« Reply #10 on: 10/08/2018 20:53:28 »
There seems to be some truth that UVA and (to some extent, but much less so) the blue end of the spectrum may be somewhat damaging to eyes and skin. Both white LEDs and fluorescent lamps create light particularly at the blue/UV end of the spectrum. Another issue is, as others have already mentioned is that all light, but blue light disproportionately tends to suppress melatonin production and can cause disruptions to the body clock- you'll tend to wake up later the next day.

Incandescent lights gave a redder light, and were somewhat less disruptive- but make no mistake, even that light causes major changes to the human body clock, you're always best off dimming lights towards the end of the day, and avoiding using backlit screens for an hour or so before sleep.
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Offline BrotherJ

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Re: Are LEDs harmful to health?
« Reply #11 on: 23/08/2018 16:08:36 »
LEDs are actually less prone to adverse health effects than other high-performance lamps
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Offline HomeWork

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Re: Are LEDs harmful to health?
« Reply #12 on: 08/09/2018 18:28:10 »
And I read an article about them and there it is written that all the same they are harmful to the human body and immunity in general.
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Offline chris

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Re: Are LEDs harmful to health?
« Reply #13 on: 08/09/2018 23:35:21 »
Quote from: HomeWork on 08/09/2018 18:28:10
And I read an article about them and there it is written that all the same they are harmful to the human body and immunity in general.

And the reference / supporting data to justify that conclusion is...?
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Offline rhodesdipt

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Re: Are LEDs harmful to health?
« Reply #14 on: 14/09/2018 07:24:45 »
I do not think so  ;D ;D
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