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    Does indoor LED lighting
    have a dark side?
    Straightening out the facts of
    indoor LED lighting

    Indoor LED lighting can have various positive effects on people besides its natural obvious energy-saving characteristics. Browse through this page and educate on LED lighting’s various benefits with indoor applications.

     

    What do experts say, what are scientists telling us, what facts and benefits are out there?

    FAQ – detailed information from Lighting Europe
    Be mindful in situations where (poorly controlled) LED light might potentially cause issues. At Philips Lighting we tailor-make LED lighting for all applications that ensures the delivery of the desired quality.

    • General LED lighting facts

       
      • LED lighting does not contain mercury.
      • All white LEDs emit certain level of blue light, which is still only a tiny fraction of natural daylight
      • General exposure to blue light is at least 1,000 times greater outside during summer days
      • Looking straight into the sun for 1sec will have an effect on your eyes, for the similar effect you will have to stare at LED lighting (4000K) for 30min from a short distance
      • Blue light hazard is classified into 4 risk groups: 0, 1, 2, 3 (0= low; 3= high), the sun falls into group 2. Well-tuned LED lighting belongs in category 0.
      • Visible flicker is known for potentially causing epileptic seizures where as non-visible flicker will not
      • Visible strobe is believed to cause eyestrain/discomfort, headache, and reduced visual performance where as non-visible strobe is believed not to
      • Glare can generally be put in 3 categories when assessing its influence on people: blinding, disability, discomfort. 

    • (LED) lighting Benefits

       
      • (LED) Lighting can support one’s visual, psychological and biological values
             - Scientific studies indicate that tailored indoor illumination applications are linked to enhanced vision, performance and wellbeing.   
      • Organizations that implement (LED) lighting in office spaces and work areas have recognized an increase in employee effectivity, workplace satisfaction, and visual comfort
      • When (LED) lighting is applied in a learning environment, research suggests that concentration of children goes up to 20%, literacy skills are improved, and fidgeting is reduced.
      • (LED) Lighting can boost our mood and positively impact our behavior
      • (LED) Lighting can contribute to a healthy circadian rhythm
      • Blue light helps children and adolescents feel more awake in the mornings
      • Blue light also helps with enhancing one’s concentration ability
      • Dimmed (LED) lighting can enhance creative thinking
      • (LED) lighting has been associated with decreased levels of stress and anxiety in indoor environments

    What experts say


    "LED products are no more hazardous than other lighting technologies that have the same CCT."

    • U.S. Department Of Energy

    View paper

     

    "The idea that LED lamps emit dangerous levels of blue light, is a misunderstanding."

    • LightingEurope

    View paper

    Health Effects of Artificial Light

    • SCENIHR

    View paper

    Light and Health

    • U.S. Department of Energy

    View paper

    Philips Lighting expertise


    We believe in developing innovative indoor LED lighting solutions that improve and enhance people’s lives and well-being. We aim to provide lighting products that increase the general well-being while also being mindful of our social responsibility and the need to preserve our planet.


    With the right expertise, light can be limited to when and where it’s needed – helping homes/offices/buildings to preserve and enhance natural rhythms and stimulate the body and mind. We use our expertise to develop indoor lighting that can positively contribute to the right indoor lighting needs - light is important. Our innovations deliver impressive energy savings and CO2 reduction with high quality light to make home more comfortable and welcoming. And this is what Philips Lighting does - applying our expertise to tailor our lighting to the needs, delivering light beyond illumination.
     

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    Best practice case

    More info on LED:

    Maurice Donners

    In order to provide accurate information, we always work closely with our own in-house research experts/scientists. 

     

    One of our capable experts is Maurice Donners, who has more than 15 years of experience in lighting. 

    What factors can potentially be harmful to the retina under unfavorable circumstances?

    Sun

    Level of luminance

    spectral

    Spectral distribution

    stopwatch

    Exposure time

    light bulb

    Staring straight into a strong LED Light with a high color temperature (expressed in Kelvin) at a close distance for a long period of time can possibly damage the retina. Normally, the discomfort experienced will require to avert or close the eyes, preventing any damage.

    Other trivia

    • When is LED lighting harmful for the eye?


      Depending on the illumination level, exposure time, and distance of direct exposure: prolonged, continuous excessive exposure to short-wavelength rich light from indoor (and outdoor) lights, computer monitors, mobile phones and television screens may be enough to damage retinas on the long run. Though, during day time a great amount of blue light is very positive.

    • What color temperature is more harmful?


      Bulbs with a temperature over 5000 Kelvin contain relatively high amount of blue light which can be hazardous to the retina, depending on the illumination level, exposure time, distance and how much blue light you were already exposed to.

    • What light intenstity is more harmful?


      Excessive bright lights can possibly damage the retina, always avoid staring straight into bright lights. Luminance higher than 10,000 cd/m² causes visual discomfort no matter what the position of the lighting source is in the field of vision. Once again, this also depends on the illumination level, exposure time, and distance.

    • Exposure time to blue light


      Excessive exposure to blue light, combined with the illumination level, exposure time, distance, from LEDs in the range 470–480 nm for a short to medium period (days to a few weeks) should be relatively safe, this conclusion cannot be generalized to a long-term exposure (months to years).

    • Eye strain relieve


      E.g. when having direct exposure to bright (LED) light source, like computer screens, give your eyes a break. Use the 20-20-20 rule. Every 20 minutes, take a 20-second break and focus your eyes on something at least 20 feet away.

    What you might want to know


    Structured overview of lighting characteristics
    visual

     

    • What is Blue light hazard?
      IEC defines blue-light hazard as ‘the potential for a photochemical-induced retinal injury resulting from electromagnetic radiation exposure at wavelengths primarily between 400 and 500 nm (short wave-lengths)’ 
    • “LEDs can be damaging to retinas.”
      The journal article (Photochem. Photobiol. 89, 468-473) shows the experiments exposing human eye cells to light intensity of 5 mW per square centimeter for twelve hours, which leaves noticeable damage behind. However, for a typical white LED spectrum, this intensity level corresponds to staring directly into a 100-Watt-equivalent light bulb from about 10 centimeters away, for twelve hours straight.
    • Some say LEDs are damaging to preservation of collections and other objects – this is not the case. LED lights do not emit ultra violet radiation. Consequently, they are safer for collections preservation than fluorescent lights.
    • Fading as a damage factor could apply to short-wavelength lighting, which could relatively damage/discolor, depending on the exposure time, illumination level, and object sensitivity. Mostly due to UV radiation. 
    • Besides the benefits that come along with LED lighting, the potential negative effects only persists in case of repetitive excessive (direct) exposure under unfavorable circumstances.
    • Apply the right light, with the right spectrum at the right time during the day is highly beneficial, one of the reasons what makes LED lighting so valuable.