AMA adopts guidance to communities to reduce harmful effects of high intensity LED street lighting

Strong arguments all over the U.S. exist for the conversion of existing roadway lighting systems to more energy efficient light emitting diodes (LED). Currently roadway lighting in the US consume 14 billion kWh annually in the United States. Each city, like Lorain, must budget money for this usage. Currently, most roadway lighting uses high intensity discharge (HID) light sources: such as high pressure sodium (HPS) and metal halide (MH). HPS lamps are known for their high lumen ratings and their yellowish tint. MH lamps produce fewer lumens, or brightness, than HPS and have a whiter appearance. In response to this controversial topic of whether to switch two more energy efficient lighting, at the expense of visual comfort of drivers was discussed by physicians at the Annual Meeting of the American Medical Association (AMA) and as a result adopted a guidance for communities on selecting among LED lighting options to minimize potential harmful and environment effects.

High-intensity LED lighting designs emit a large amount of blue light that appears white to the naked eye and creates worse night time glare than conventional lighting. This statement is supported in optometry offices, with patients who have chief complaints of night time driving glare from headlights of high-intensity, blue-ish light, emitted from newer model cars. The yellow cast from traditional headlights is more comfortable and less distracting to look at while driving at night to most patients. Therefore, “discomfort and disability from intense blue-rich LED lighting can decrease visual acuity and safety, resulting in concerns and creating a road hazard.” It has been known for the past few years, in the optometry community that blue-rich lighting, such as LED streetlights, operate at a wavelength that most adversely suppresses melato- nin during the night. It is estimated that white LED lamps have five times greater impact on circadian sleep rhythms than conventional street lamps. With the conversion of incandescent lighting to compact fluorescent light (CFL, halogen and Light-emitting diode (LED) in 2013, we are already experiencing the effects with this. Has anyone had any trouble sleeping since 2013? If so, have you been using your phone, which emits a blue wavelength of light, right before bedtime? There is evidence that blue-wavelength light does interfere with the natural circadian sleep cycles. As such, for people suffering from seasonal affect disorder (SAD), the treatment is using blue-rich light in the long gloomy days of winter. A question that should come to mind for using these blue rich lights at night time should be, will using these lights combat night time driver fatigue and prevent drivers from falling asleep at the wheel?

The AMA also contends that the effects of high-intensity LED lighting are not limited to human. Excessive outdoor lighting disrupts many species that need a dark environment. For instance, poorly designed LED lighting disorients some bird, insect, turtle and fish species, and the U.S, national parks have adopted optimal lighting designs and practices that minimize the effects of light pollution on the environment. In summary, the AMA encourages communities to minimize and control blue-rich environmental lighting by using the lowest emission of blue light possible to reduce glare. The AMA also recommends an intensity threshold for optimal LED lighting that minimizes blue-rich lighting, and that the LED lighting should be properly shielded to minimize glare.

Many questions arise on the benefits of LED lights due to the blue rich saturation of the light emitted. However, it possible to overcome these potential issues with glare and discomfort by placing a yellow filter over the light. This is a simple and cost effect solution to convert municipal and roadway lighting systems, saving energy and money, while still maintaining the same level of comfort for drivers. The effect of altering circadian is a benefit to night time drivers who experience driving fatigue. LED lighting is a solution to this issue. In conclusion, my position differs from the AMA. More cost effective and energy efficient lighting systems are necessary for our homes, cities, and roadways. The potential drawback of this lighting, which is visual discomfort and glare, can be resolved by placing filters over each light. Or, if a person requires additional protection, eyeglass lenses can be tinted yellow or a blue blocking lens, specially made in the past five years to aid visual comfort while using electronic screens, can be ordered and used instead of clear lenses. These lenses have a light brown or a dark brown hue. We have had technology in the optometry industry to aid visual discomfort for changes in our electronic screen usage as well as the change of lighting in our homes, most people, including the AMA are unaware of the lens technology and filters we have at our finger tips.