LED Lighting Sets the New Standard Improving Sustainability, Performance, and Wellbeing with a Simple Switch CURRENT STATE of LIGHTING

LED Lighting Sets the New Standard Improving Sustainability, Performance, and Wellbeing with a Simple Switch CURRENT STATE OF LIGHTING

or over a century, fluorescent bulbs have been the groundbreaking technology in lighting. Since the 1940s, we have been treating patients under fluorescent lights in our healthcare facilities, worked under Fthem in offices, exercised under them in gymnasi- ums, and educated under them in our schools. With the advent of the compact fluorescent bulb, we even brought them into our homes.1

Fluorescent lights are gas-filled tubes with a coating on the inner surface. Electricity, regulated by a bal- last, ignites a filament and vaporizes small amounts of mercury within the tube, causing them to emit ultraviolet (UV) light. The inner surface coating absorbs the UV light and converts it to visible light, producing a ‘white-ish’ glow.1

Lighting is a necessity in our lives. Fluorescent lights have become essential due to the lack of compet- itively-priced technology with comparable light output and efficiency.

2 ENERGY FOCUS 02 Current Impact of (damage to the retina) - the leading Leading companies in LED lighting 4 Fluorescent Lighting cause of blindness. Young people are es- technology are going the extra mile and pecially at risk to the hazards of UV light, spending the extra dollars on the engi- as a protective layer of yellow pigments neering of their LED lighting products CURRENT STATE Fluorescent tubes create silent compet- 15 in the eyes occurs with age, slowing the to omit flicker altogether. ing elements ithat are harmful to health amount of radiation reaching the retina and wellness both from a physical and in older adults.5 physiological perspective. Fluorescent tubes contain a mixture of mercury and In addition to invisible UV light, the visi- The LED Lighting OF other gases, and a broken fluorescent ble light emitted by fluorescent sources tube carries the risk of mercury entering consists of three inconsistent color spikes Technology Alternative the body through the lungs (via breath- (magenta, yellow-green, and orange), ing in the gas) or the skin (from coming with negligible other colors contributing Light Emitting Diodes (LED) are a cut- in contact with mercury residue on the to the output.6 The human visual system ting-edge solid-state technology that are inner glass surface).3 Mercury is a hazard- transmits those light signals to the brain, predicted by the US Department of Ener- ous material and in the unforeseen event which must ‘fill in the gaps’ to process the gy to replace almost all artificial lighting that a fluorescent light bulb shatters, picture. Being in poor-spectrum fluores- in the United States by 2030. While the anyone in the vicinity will be exposed its cent lighting environments for extended basic technology has been available dangers, making it an instant safety haz- periods of time can have adverse effects for years, recent developments have ard in any facility that actively uses them. on emotional and psychological wellbe- driven down cost and made LEDs more ing due to these constant flash of color widely-available to the general public. Fluorescent bulbs produce UV light, spikes. In the case of individuals with Available as alternatives to everything which is partially, but not completely, extremely sensitive vision, particularly from industrial and landscaping feature converted to visible light. UV radiation, in the scotopic (low-lit) range, low-spec- lighting, to residential settings, to the unseen, is emitted from the fluorescent trum lighting can trigger similar visual ubiquitous fluorescent tubes in schools bulbs and penetrates our skin and eyes. responses. They can be subjected to and offices, LEDs provide a number of UV radiation has more energy than dizziness, headaches and nausea caused benefits over their predecessors. visible light and is able to degrade many by the spikes and gaps in fluorescent materials, causing damage to materials light output.6 Individuals with special Known primarily for their energy effi- such as plastics, skin tissues, and eye needs such are particularly sensitive to ciency, LED bulbs produce more lumens lenses and retinas. Prolonged exposure visual fluctuations. As light flickers out of per watt, resulting in less power needed can result in a clouding of the lens, com- the fixture, the bright spikes and missing to produce more light output. LEDs are monly known as Cataract formation, and gaps from fluorescent lights appear as also superior when it comes to quality is a contributing factor to Age-related a strobe light to them, which can range of light output, as white tubular LED Macular Degeneration from distracting to painful.13,14 lamps provide the closest color match to sunlight (Graph 1), with no spikes or gaps in color output. And unlike their fluorescent counterparts, LEDs are 100% visually efficient; that is, they only produce radiation in the visible range, with virtually no Graph 1. 7 harmful UV or wasted infrared.

Additionally, LED bulbs contain no mercury or hazardous waste, and are 100% recyclable. High-quality LED products can last up to 20x longer than any other artificial light source, reducing the time, cost, and effort of maintenance.8 These factors combine to make LED lights the clear choice over fluorescents.

ENERGY FOCUS 3 Benefits of LED Lighting

Good lighting enhances indoor environments in many ways. LED lighting is especially important in the case of children, senior citizens, and disabled individuals as well as technical workers who are able to see more clearly to provide detail to their work.

Physical Utility Cognitive Utility The even distribution of colors provided by LED result in more Not only does LED provide higher quality lighting for patients’ saturated, vivid, discriminable color rendering and effortless emotional wellbeing, studies have also shown LED lighting can visual acuity. Fully directional down-lighting also provides enhance mood, behavior and physical wellbeing as well. more illumination on working surfaces, rather than the diffuse Most healthcare providers encourage individuals to get a full glow produced by the gas-filled fluorescent tubes. The color eight hours of sleep to help their recovery. A healthy sleep/ temperature, color rendering, and efficiency of LED lights wake cycle (or Circadian Rhythm) is crucial to mental cognition combine to improve visibility to create a better environment as and physical wellbeing. Our bodies’ roughly 24-hour cycle is vision is a major contributing factor to an individual’s ability to governed by hormonal responses that are triggered by full- receive and respond to cognitive messaging. spectrum light - light provided by sunlight and LED, but not fluorescent.9 We have all experienced the relief of leaving a fluorescent-lit room and stepping outside back into the natural sunlight. The spectral output of fluorescent lights is to blame. In the bleak winter months, many people are diagnosed with Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), while many more self- diagnose their yearly “winter blues.” LED lighting is used in the treatment of SAD, and also has been shown to improve mood, decrease stress, and create a generally healthier and happier environment – all because the lighting spectrum mimics that of natural sunlight.12

4 ENERGY FOCUS Conclusion

LED lighting is the best choice for all facilities that want to foster a safe, healthy, comfortable, and “green” environment. The benefits range from monetary savings – lessened electricity costs– to increased sustainability, improved health, and ocular safety for all. These lights best eliminate lighting-related competing elements that physically affect the vision while physiologically affecting our ability to maintain our natural mood stability and cognitive responses. Just like the societal revolution, LEDs are no longer the future of the lighting industry. They are the present, and should be the source illuminating every home, office and facility nationwide.

Sources: 1. Edison Tech Center. “The Fluorescent Lamp” http://www.edisontechcenter.org/Fluorescent.html. 2. United States Environmental Protection Agency “Health Effects of Mercury Exposure” http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/mercury/docs/ HealthEffectsMercury.pdf 3. Roberts, Joan E. “Ultraviolet Radiation as a Risk Factor for Cataract and Macular Degeneration” Eye & Contact Lens Vol 37 No 4. 2011. 4. Pokorny et al. “Aging of the human lens” Applied Optics Vol 26 No 8. 1987. 5. Ellis et al. “Auto-tuning daylight with LEDs: sustainable lighting for health and wellbeing” Drexel University and Philadelphia University. 6. Irlen Institute. “What is Irlen Syndrome?” http://irlen.com/what-is-irlen-syndrome/. 7. Graph 1: Popular Mechanics: The Ultimate Light Bulb Test http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/gadgets/reviews/g164/incandescent-vs-compact-fluorescent-vs-led-ultimate-light-bulb-test/. 8. US Department of Energy “Solid-State R&D Plan” May 2015. 9. Lucas, Robert J et al. “Measuring and using light in the melanopsin age” Trends in Neurosciences Vol 37 No 1. 2014. 10. Holzman, David C. “What’s in a Color? The Unique Human Health Effects of Blue Light” Environmental Health Perspectives Vol 118 No 1. 2010. 11. Hawes, Breanne K., et al. “Effects of four workplace lighting technologies on perception, cognition, and affective state” International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics Vol 42. 2012. 12. Meesters, Ybe et al. “Low-intensity blue-enriched white light (750 lux) and standard bright light (10000 lux) are equally effective in treating SAD. A randomized controlled study” BMC Psychiatry. 2011. 13. US Department of Energy. “Flicker” Building Technologies Office Solid-State Lighting Technology Fact Sheet. 14. Loew et al. “Symptoms of Meares-Irlen/Visual Stress Syndrome in subjects diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome” International Journal of Clinical and Health Psychology Vol 14 ppp87-92. 2014. 15. Ameritech Energy. “Flicker Free – Important Design & Buyer Information” Solid-State Lighting Technology Fact Sheet. http://www. energyfocusinc.com/lighting-and-your-health/ 2014.

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