Do LED Lights Cause Cancer?

There are some startling claims about LED lights, the latest and most efficient of lighting technologies. Misinterpretation of research in this area causes fears. Can LEDs really do that much harm to health?

LEDs produce only visible light and heat. There are no studies with conclusive evidence to support a causal relationship that exposure to any of these will cause cancer.

The biggest concern about LED lighting is the possible effects of blue light (not ultraviolet) emitted by LEDs. White LEDs are actually blue LEDs coated with a yellow phosphor. The blue light emitted by these tiny devices is much less intense than the blue component of sunlight. If LED lighting were dangerous as claimed, exposure to sunlight could be fatal.

Retina, which provides vision, consists of cells that are sensitive to light and color. There are blue-sensitive cells in the retina whose primary purpose is not vision, which helps regulate the body’s sleep cycles. These cells basically only detect blue light, telling the brain whether it’s day or night. Artificial lighting (electric lights) containing too much blue light affects this system and disrupts sleep patterns. If this effect continues for a long time, it may cause some health problems.

Exposure to blue light during waking hours from LED lamps, monitors, phones and other technologies should not be a problem. The main problem is exposure to such lighting near or after bedtime.

To avoid the negative effects of blue light, the solution is quite simple. Dimming the lights in the evening, setting aside technological devices, or using apps and filters that reduce blue light are all good solutions.

Warm white LED lamps emit less blue light than cool white LEDs. For this reason, LED lamps with a color temperature of 2700K should be preferred in environments such as homes where you spend time in the evening.