3 Common Misconceptions on LED Streetlights

Debunk the myths about LED street lighting!

There have been debates on the adverse health effects of LEDs when used as street lighting. One side says that LEDs have potentially detrimental effects on health, while the other says that these LEDs are perfectly safe to use. Because of this issue, many misconceptions about light emitting diodes came up, and people are getting more confused. As a solution, we’ve listed down the three common misconceptions about LEDs, and why they are actually safe for the environment and the people.

1. LED streetlights are hazardous to people, animals, and nature because they emit short-wavelength light.

The truth is, LED streetlights are no more than hazardous than other kinds of streetlights like the HPS. The basis of thinking that they are harmful is because they emit short-wavelength-enriched light that can disrupt one’s natural process of melatonin production. In reality, LEDs can potentially control the amount of short-wavelength light that they emit, making them less harmful than other streetlights. They have greater control over where the light falls.

Although they emitted higher levels of short-wavelength content when they first came out, huge advances to fix this resulted in little short-wavelength light emitted today, without affecting its performance in the brightness department. LED streetlights can meet the same illumination requirements as conventional streetlights while emitting much less light, as with LED signs and other types of LED lighting.

2. All types of short-wavelength light are harmful.

Some people say that no streetlights should emit short-wavelength light. However, this is not possible. Short-wavelength light is the basic component of the natural world; it’s in the sunlight! It is also needed for many physiological processes that affect our circadian rhythms. These rhythms are also known as our biological clock which controls our wake and sleep cycles.

Short-wavelength light also allows us to see identify people and things, see colors more naturally, improve the contrast between objects and backgrounds, and enhance the peripheral vision at low levels of light. What’s harmful is having too much short-wavelength light at night as it may disrupt sleeping patterns.

3. Cities and communities do not need LED streetlights; traditional ones are just fine.

Most cities in the country use HPS streetlights for the last several decades. However, as discussed in the previous article, these lights emit orange light, making objects appear shadowy rather than the actual color you see during the day. This color isn't that safe for drivers and pedestrians alike.

Making the switch to LEDs will also save cities more money because LEDs are energy efficient, require less maintenance, and have longer lives. People need to realize that short-wavelength light is fine, as long as they emit a spectrum that allows proper visibility only where needed.

Source: Energy.gov