For Consumers
Health issues
Health issues
All sources of lighting (including the sun) can influence you, and in some cases, your health. Different lamps have different potential impacts on your health. These range from visible impacts, like flickering, to non-visible impacts caused by the lamp’s specific components. For example, the risk of mercury release from a broken lamp is only relevant for fluorescent and other mercury containing lamps, not light emitting diode (LED) lamps.
Below we mention the primary cause, impacts and the type of lamp.
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Flickering
Visible flickering can produce photosensitive seizures amongst susceptible people. The LED regulation sets a maximum allowed level of flickering.
If an LED or compact fluorescent lamps (CFL) has a noticeable flicker, it could be a poor-quality product, and you may wish to return the product. Alternatively, the lamp may have been installed incorrectly or may not be compatible with the dimmer.
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Stroboscopic effect (non-visible flicker)
Non-visible stroboscopic effects occur at a faster frequency than we can notice. They can be a source of distraction and may modify task performance (including in tasks requiring accuracy) and contribute to migraines, eyestrain and fatigue.
LED regulation sets a maximum allowed level for non-visible flicker intended to prevent these impacts.
Non-visible flicker in CFLs occurs at a frequency far higher than the human brain can detect. So, if a CFL or LED has a noticeable flicker, it could be a poor-quality product, and you may wish to return the product. Alternatively, the lamp may have been installed incorrectly.
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Blue light hazard
Blue light hazard applies to some LED lamps with very focused light sources. Blue light has the potential to damage the retina of the eye. However, studies have found that normal LED lights used in houses and office lighting are not a significant risk.
To minimise this impact, blue light hazard requirements exist for main voltage LED lamps, like the standard pear-shaped lamps under electrical safety regulation. The LED determination also extends the requirement to low voltage LED lamps, like MR16 downlights.
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Ultra-violet and violet radiation
Exposure to light in the ultra-violet (UV) range, including from the sun, is known to have negative health impacts. For example, this may includeerythema, carcinogenesis, aging, melanogenesis or lupus.
Almost all LED lamps in the market today do not emit UV light. To minimise the low-level impact from the remaining LED lamps, the LED determination says that regulated lamps must have levels that meet the international standards of RG0 – the lowest level of UV radiation risk.
Only a small number of people suffering from photosensitive syndromes might see an aggravation of their pre-existing condition, triggered by the shortest wavelengths of visible light emitted by LEDs (blue and violet light). This can be managed through indirect and covered lighting. People taking photosensitizing drugs should be aware of a potential risk.
CFL lamps emit slightly more UV than incandescent lamps and LEDs. If you are concerned about UV exposure from CFLs, you should:
- minimise the time spent closer than 25 centimetres from CFLs
- use ‘double envelope’ or ‘covered’ CFLs
- direct light of a wall or ceiling
- or use lampshades.
LED lamps can now replace CFL lamps for all common applications, so they are suited for people with photosensitive conditions.
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Mercury
Tiny amounts of mercury are in fluorescent lamps.
To minimise this impact, the CFL determination specifies a maximum allowed level.
While accidental exposure to mercury in a single lamp due to breakage is not a significant health risk if disposed of properly, cumulative impacts in terms of waste disposal can be significant.
Fluorescent lamps and other mercury containing products, like mercury vapour lamps used for street lighting, are phasing out under the international Minamata Convention on Mercury due to cumulative impacts.