High Intensity LED Street Lighting: Human and Environmental Effects

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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) adopted guidance for communities on selecting LED lighting options to minimize 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 minimizes detrimental health and environmental effects."

High-intensity LED lighting designs emit a large amount of blue light that appears white to the naked eye and creates 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 to operate at a wavelength that most adversely suppresses melatonin during night. It is estimated that white LED lamps have a 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.

Detrimental effects of high-intensity LED lighting 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 minimize the effects of light pollution on the environment.

Recognizing the detrimental 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 minimize glare and detrimental human health and environmental effects, and consideration should be given to utilizing the ability of LED lighting to be dimmed for off-peak time periods.

The guidance adopted by grassroots physicians who comprise 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.

Attribution/Source(s):

This quality-reviewed article relating to our Disability News in the Americas section was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World due to its likely interest to our disability community readers. Though the content may have been edited for style, clarity, or length, the article "High Intensity LED Street Lighting: Human and Environmental Effects" was originally written by American Medical Association, and published by Disabled-World.com on 2016/06/17 (Updated: 2022/06/04). Should you require further information or clarification, American Medical Association can be contacted at ama-assn.org. Disabled World makes no warranties or representations in connection therewith.

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