More and more people are realizing that LED (Light
Emitting Diode) lights carry many advantages over other forms of artificial light,
like incandescent bulbs or fluorescent tubes. The benefits of LEDs include reduced
energy consumption, minimal maintenance costs, extremely long life, small
carbon footprint, optimal color saturation, compact design, negligible heat
output, and lack of UV emissions. But surprisingly, few people are aware that
switching to LED lighting can do more than slash your energy bill and protect
the environment – it can also be beneficial for your health.
How LEDs Are Better
As much as LED competitors like halogen, incandescent, and fluorescent lighting companies may protest, LEDs undisputedly come out as the winners in a number of important health measures concerning artificial lighting. These include:
- Flicker
Have you ever sat at your office desk
furiously rubbing your eyes in a fruitless attempt to relieve an eye strain
induced headache? Those painful and often debilitating symptoms could be a
result of the fact that incandescent and fluorescent lights flicker at around
120 Hz. This flickering is generally imperceptible but nevertheless can
contribute to eye strain, discomfort, and associated headaches or migraines.
Since LEDs run off of DC power sources rather than AC, they tend not to flicker
in the same manner.
- Burnout
You may already know that LEDs have a much
longer functional life (up to an incredible 50,000 hours) than their other
artificial light counterparts, but did you also know that their long life also
helps alleviate eye strain? A slower burnout rate for LEDs means it is easier
for color to remain consistent, particularly in regards to indoor lighting.
Color consistency plays an important role in preventing eye strain.
- Hum
If you’ve ever spent a long period of time
sitting under the unceasing and suffocating drone of overhead fluorescent
lights, you won’t be surprised to find out that scientific studies have shown
that the noise emitted by these fixtures can noticeably increase the
irritability and tiredness of people who are subjected to them. Thankfully,
there are no annoying noises associated with the use of LEDs.
- Mercury
Mercury – a substance incorporated in
incandescent and fluorescent lights – is highly toxic and can cause very
serious health problems if you come into contact with it. That is why special
care and steps must be taken when disposing of most artificial bulbs. In
contrast, LEDs are made without mercury, making their disposal much less
complicated and hazardous.
- UV
If you use fluorescent lights for lamps and
other fixtures close to your skin, you are putting yourself at risk for skin
damage as a result of exposure to UV light. You could slather yourself in SPF
50 every day before sitting down at your desk or you could simply replace those
fluorescents with LED lights that do not emit UV or infrared.
- Heat
Most of us have made the immediately
regrettable mistake of touching a hot, incandescent light bulb. Incandescent
bulbs can reach a scorching 200°F
– more than enough to sear delicate human skin. Of course, those burns can be
easily avoided by converting to LEDs, which generally do not rise above room
temperature even after periods of prolonged use.
Using LEDs for your lighting needs is not only a smart, economical, and environmentally friendly decision – it’s also good for your health. Check out some indoor and outdoor LED flex lighting options today for a greener home investment.
Using LEDs for your lighting needs is not only a smart, economical, and environmentally friendly decision – it’s also good for your health. Check out some indoor and outdoor LED flex lighting options today for a greener home investment.
Author Bio:
Maria
Brown is a freelance blogger and writer for companies wishing to brand and
market. She is a mother of two who enjoys hiking and keeping healthy in her
free time.