This newsletter has had many articles about why your building should switch to light emitting diodes (LEDs). Electricity usage can be cut by 50 to 80% for the same amount of light depending on the original source of light. LEDs can be programmed to meet your needs (intensity, on-off/dimness, color temperature, etc.). And LED lights last much longer than fluorescent and incandescent lights, reducing the effort to replace bulbs or tubes in the ceiling, freeing up the maintenance crew for bigger projects and freeing up space and the number of backup lights in storage. However, with the growing concern about a healthy office environment, how can lights affect staff health and productivity?

There have been hundreds of studies done in the last 40 years showing links between long-term exposure to fluorescent lights and different negative health impacts. The basis of these problems is the quality of light that is emitted.

The theory is that humans have evolved based on light from the Sun. Artificial lights is a recent phenomenon, with the invention of electricity. Before that most light came from the Sun and our eyes and nervous system evolved to best use this source of light. However, with electricity and light bulbs people now have the ability to work at night and in spaces without windows. However, the light coming from an incandescent or fluorescent light is not the same light as that from the Sun.

The main difference is that the Sun exposes us to the full spectrum of visible light (all wavelengths) and many wavelengths outside the visible spectrum. Incandescents give off nearly the full visible spectrum, but not as much as sunlight. Fluorescents give off a limited spectrum. Of course, another difference is timing. Except for clouds (and even then some radiation reaches us), we are exposed to the Sun’s rays only during certain hours daily, which vary during the year. Artificial lights can be turned on at any time.

Many bodily functions depend on day-night cycles called circadian rhythms, developed by the daily rise and fall of the Sun. If one gets insufficient exposure to sunlight or gets exposed to lights at other times, one’s circadian rhythm may be affected which will alter a one’s hormones and body chemistry. Therefore, theoretically, getting less sunlight and more artificial lights can cause migraines, eye strain, sleep issues, depression, suppressed immune system, menstrual cycle disruption, anxiety, obesity, etc.

Besides the spectrum of wavelengths and length of time of exposure, another issue, specific with fluorescent lights is flickering. While such lights appear to be emitting light constantly, that is not true. Fluorescent lights are controlled by a ballast that pulses electricity. Therefore, light flickers. While it may not be detectible, our brains sub-consciously perceive the flicker, which departs from sunlight, contributing to migraines, anxiety, and other conditions.

How do LED lights do in regards to these factors? Fairly well. LED lights can be designed to emit the spectrum of wavelengths that one wants, including the full spectrum. Some manufacturers market LED bulbs that supposedly mimic sunlight’s spectrum. LED lights may flicker, but that is not due to the nature of the bulb (unlike a fluorescent), but due to the ballast feeding power.

A few years ago, the French equivalent to the US FDA issued a warning that intense light from LED bulbs can cause eye damage. However, that has not been corroborated in other studies. Currently, no country regulates LED lights vis-à-vis exposure.

In conclusion, it is best to light your office using sunlight, as much as possible, to mimic its rhythm to correspond to staff’s circadian rhythm. But if that is impossible, it is best to convert from incandescent and fluorescent lights to LEDs to get the full spectrum and minimize flickering.

CCES has the experts to help your facility to design and install the right lights to save you significant electricity costs and to help optimize your staff’s health and productivity and realize the savings and advantages to your business. Contact us today at karell@CCESworld.com or at 914-584-6720.