I am doing some research on what type of lighting is best for our well being. We used to have only incandescent bulbs in our houses back when we were growing up (50s, 60s 70s), and I think those are the best to use. Many schools use fluorescent and now everyone seems to be using LED. So, which ones are good for us, and which ones are not? Let's find out.
The humble lightbulb. It’s something you probably haven’t paid much attention to, beyond the inevitable groan when one goes, leaving you in darkness and requiring a replacement. And yet how we light our homes and indoor spaces can have unexpected and wide-reaching effects on our health and wellbeing.
The light-emitting diode (LED) has largely replaced incandescent and halogen lamps and bulbs thanks to its energy-saving credentials. But blue light-heavy LED lighting comes with hidden risks – from disrupted circadian rhythm and sleep to macular degeneration and mitochondrial dysfunction.
Read on to discover everything you need to know about LEDs, their potential pitfalls – and the healthiest alternative options to illuminate your home and optimize your wellbeing…
The effects of LED lighting on health:
Are LED Lights Safe? Are They Harmful to Your Health?
LED lights are rapidly becoming the standard lighting technology in many applications, and in many areas have become the only option as incandescent and CFL lighting options become phased out.
LEDs are of course energy efficient, last many times longer and are therefore preferable from an environmental standpoint, not much is mentioned with respect to the human and consumer side of things - especially when it comes to the safety and health effects of the emitted light itself.
Electrical and toxicity concerns of LEDs are generally in line or superior when compared to incandescent and fluorescent lamps. Most governmental authorities have continued to adapt existing building and safety codes to prevent fire and electric shock risks - and of course, it is always a smart idea to always practice basic electrical safety.
There exists very little, however, in the way of understanding or regulations for the quality and safety of the light emitted from LED bulbs. In this article, we discuss the health impacts of the light emitted from LED lights - in particular, "blue light" as it relates to the LED spectrum, as well as the effect of flicker that is prevalent in LED lights.
COULD the increase in ADHD be down to school LIGHTING? The primary lighting for schools and offices is LED and fluorescent tube, used for 'energy efficiency', BUT it leans toward the BLUE LIGHT spectrum. SAID to INCREASE focus and attention, it SUPPRESSES 'melatonin' production.
In the 1960s there was extensive research on how indoor lighting impacts the learning environment. The research was published and noted. Nothing was done at scale. Today standard LED lights and standard fluorescent lights dominate learning environments.
Lead, Lights, and ADHD
. The connection by Dr John Ott. Deep rabbit hole
. The connection by Dr John Ott. Deep rabbit holeNear-infrared (NIR) light calms the nervous system and enhances pleasure. Artificial lighting has lacked NIR since incandescent bulbs were replaced by LED and compact fluorescent, but direct sunlight and heat lamps supply it.
A 1982 study found that women who worked under fluorescent lighting had over twice the risk of developing skin cancer. This risk grew with increasing duration of exposure. Highly controversial to this day, but logically justified when you realize what they actually emit...
Should fluorescent lighting be illegal?
- extremely high in flicker
- zero red/IR light
- crazy isolated spikes of blue light
Causes migraines, eye strain, worsen autism symptoms. Sadly, they are standard in hospitals, schools, and any commercial building.
Increased use of fluorescent lighting as a climate change mitigation strategy may increase eye disease. The safe range of light to avoid exposing the eye to potentially damaging ultraviolet (UV) radiation is 2000 to 3500K and greater than 500 nanometers. Some fluorescent lights fall outside this safe range.
Fluorescent lighting may increase UV-related eye diseases by up to 12% and, according to our calculations, may cause an additional 3000 cases of cataracts and 7500 cases of pterygia annually in Australia.
Greater control of UV exposure from fluorescent lights is required. This may be of particular concern for aging populations in developed countries and countries in northern latitudes where there is a greater dependence on artificial lighting.
Typical fluorescent tubes contain approximately 2 to 5 milligrams of mercury. If broken, the mercury in this artificial light vaporizes and if inhaled, can be extremely harmful to the lungs, nervous system, and kidneys.
In addition, improper disposal of CFL (compact fluorescent lamp) bulbs can lead to mercury contamination in landfills, potentially impacting the surrounding ecosystem.
Let's first get some basics down: incandescence is the emission of visible light by a hot object. The hotter the object glows, the more light is produced. Think burning coal, a candle flame, and, of course, the sun -- all provide visible light through the process of incandescence!
An incandescent light bulb produces visible light by the energy running through the filament and heating it so much that it glows. The higher a bulb's wattage, the brighter the filament glows. Even in its basic essence, an incandescent light bulb has the most similarity of form to natural sunlight!
But again, just like sunlight, we can't forget the other energy available in light! Just like the quality of food we provide our bodies, the quality of light we use can make a difference in our overall well-being and vitality.
For optimal well-being, our bodies expect the presence of full spectrum visible light, in addition to other essential, non-visible, electromagnetic energy.
For this reason, we always suggest mixing up the light sources in your life -- one light technology won't provide it all. For example, you need bright white light to trigger your alertness and a cascade of awakening functions in the morning. Still, you'd also benefit from infrared and incandescence for your cells (we'll get into that in a moment).
What regulations led to the current state of affairs with regards to incandescent light bulbs? According to Grok:
The current state of affairs regarding incandescent light bulbs in the United States has been shaped by several key regulations over the years: Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA) ~~ This pivotal legislation set maximum power consumption requirements for general-service light bulbs, aiming to phase out inefficient incandescent bulbs in favor of more energy-efficient alternatives.
The mention of incandescent light bulbs ties into recent environmental policies where LED lights have been promoted over incandescent bulbs for energy efficiency, suggesting a critique or desire to revisit traditional technologies.
The timing of the post coincides with ongoing discussions about reversing certain environmental regulations, like those concerning incandescent bulbs, which were banned under EPA regulations, indicating a potential policy change in the near future.
Why are incandescent light bulbs illegal in the United States?
Incandescent light bulbs are not completely illegal in the United States, but their manufacture and sale have been significantly restricted due to energy efficiency regulations. Here's the reasoning behind this:
Energy Efficiency: The primary reason for the restrictions is to promote energy efficiency. Incandescent bulbs are much less efficient than alternatives like LED bulbs. They convert only about 5% of the energy they use into light, with the rest being wasted as heat. This inefficiency leads to higher energy consumption and, consequently, higher utility bills and increased carbon emissions. The new rules mandate that light bulbs must emit a minimum of 45 lumens per watt, which incandescent bulbs typically cannot meet as they produce around 15 lumens per watt. LEDs, in contrast, can achieve 75 lumens per watt or more, making them a more sustainable choice.
Environmental Impact: By reducing the reliance on inefficient lighting, the regulations aim to decrease the overall energy consumption, thereby reducing the environmental footprint of lighting in households and businesses. This aligns with broader goals to combat climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions from energy production.
Legislative Background: This regulation stems from the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, which was initially rolled back by the Trump administration but reinstated by the Biden administration in 2022. This act set the stage for phasing out incandescent bulbs in favor of more energy-efficient options over time.
Exceptions: Not all incandescent bulbs are banned; there are exceptions for specialty bulbs like those used in appliances, traffic lights, or where specific color rendering or performance characteristics are required that LEDs might not yet match perfectly. Also, existing bulbs can still be used; the ban is on new sales and manufacturing.
Public and Political Response: The ban has faced some backlash, particularly from those who prefer the light quality or traditional look of incandescent bulbs. However, with the advancement of LED technology, many have adapted, and the transition has been supported by a significant portion of the population who have already switched to LEDs.
In summary, the restrictions on incandescent light bulbs in the U.S. are part of a larger effort to improve energy efficiency, reduce costs, and mitigate environmental impact, reflecting a long-term policy trend towards sustainability.
What regulations led to the current state of affairs with regards to incandescent light bulbs?
The current state of affairs regarding incandescent light bulbs in the United States has been shaped by several key regulations over the years:
Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 (EISA): This pivotal legislation set maximum power consumption requirements for general-service light bulbs, aiming to phase out inefficient incandescent bulbs in favor of more energy-efficient alternatives. The law established that by January 2012, most incandescent bulbs producing 310–2600 lumens would be subject to efficiency standards, with exceptions for specialty bulbs. By 2020, a stricter standard would require all general-purpose bulbs to produce at least 45 lumens per watt, similar to compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs).
Department of Energy (DOE) Regulations in 2014: The DOE extended the efficiency standards of the 2007 EISA law to include some specialty bulbs like Edison, globe, and candelabra bulbs, with these changes set to take effect in January 2020. However, these regulations faced political changes.
Trump Administration Rollback in 2019: The Trump administration proposed and eventually implemented a rollback of these efficiency standards for light bulbs. This action aimed to reverse the 2014 DOE regulation, effectively allowing the continued sale of less efficient incandescent bulbs by not implementing the stricter efficiency standards.
Biden Administration Reversal in 2022: The Biden administration reversed the previous rollback, reinstating the ban on most incandescent light bulbs. This meant that the sale of these bulbs would be prohibited by July 2023, promoting a return to the energy efficiency goals outlined in the original EISA legislation.
State-Level Regulations: Some states, like California, have also introduced their own regulations. For example, California passed legislation in 2007 to phase out incandescent bulbs by 2018, establishing efficiency standards of 25 lumens per watt by 2013 and 60 lumens per watt by 2018. Other states like Colorado, Nevada, Washington, and Vermont have adopted similar standards, leading to a complex regulatory landscape where both federal and state laws influence the availability of incandescent bulbs.
These regulations collectively reflect a push towards energy efficiency, environmental sustainability, and reducing energy costs for consumers, although they have faced political fluctuations and legal challenges over time. The current direction, as of the Biden administration's action, aims to enforce these energy-efficient standards, significantly limiting the sale of traditional incandescent light bulbs.
Are streetlamps watching you? Smart street lights are fast becoming a trojan horse for pervasive government surveillance – unless activists intervene at key moments in local policymaking, says Michael Silberman.
What are the best light bulbs to use? Incandescent or halogen.
Why they want you to get rid of incandescent bulbs:
These regulations collectively reflect a push towards energy efficiency, environmental sustainability, and reducing energy costs for consumers, although they have faced political fluctuations and legal challenges over time. The current direction, as of the Biden administration's action, aims to enforce these energy-efficient standards, significantly limiting the sale of traditional incandescent light bulbs.
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What about natural sunlight?
Want to know why sunlight is nature's medicine? 🌿💊
The sunlight is a miracle, forgotten health cure...
It is the source of all life on earth and one of the most powerful ways to improve your mood, health and attractiveness.
Our modern society is the only one in history that has feared the sun as much as we do and it shows.
Attempting to block the sun with creams that actually cause the disease, epitomizes how backwards our society is. If we want to restore health & humanity, we need to restore our relationship with the sun....
Throughout history, humans have worshipped the sun as anything from a conscious God to the most important healed...
Meanwhile today we look at it like a burning ball in the sky destroying the world, our skin and our health.
Our relationship to the sun symbolization our relationship to nature as a whole... Our disconnection representing our isolation from nature, from the cosmos and the world around us.
The more we lose touch with the rhythms of the sun, the more out of sync our body falls. And when we are out of alignment, our body panics, seeking to restore balance.
Sickness is this process of attempting to restore balance...
What are the best light bulbs to use? Incandescent or halogen.
Dr. Andrew Huberman just confirmed a “wild conspiracy theory” about incandescent lights and LED bulbs. The long wavelengths found in incandescents increase your metabolism and “charge your mitochondria.” Conversely, the LED bulbs that most of you have in your house are “causing disruptions in mitochondrial function.” DR. ANDREW HUBERMAN: “Your mitochondria function better, you increase ATP production, your metabolism increases in the presence of red light, long wavelength light to the skin.” “Shine long wavelength light on somebody, watch blood glucose levels in a blood glucose test, and it’s blunted.” “Now, the LED lights that are commonly used now… that short wavelength light, in the absence of long wavelength light, has been shown to damage the mitochondria.” “This used to be considered crazy. This was like chemtrail crazy, right?” “But now we’re starting to see from animal studies and human studies, from Glenn Jeffreys and others, that people’s vision gets better when they get in front of an incandescent bulb once a day.” “If they get sunlight, which also has long-wavelength light, your vision improves because of improvements in mitochondria.” The Biden administration quietly pushed incandescents out of the market through aggressive energy regulations. But you can still find them online today if you look hard enough. If that health insight stood out to you, there’s a lot more where that came from. (See post below) This page finds the moments they don’t want going viral, with captions that tell you exactly why they matter before you even hit play. See why 2 million already follow:
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