Covers all factors relating to Dark Sky
Impact of LEDs on Light Pollution
As infrastructure increases globally, artificial lighting is available in a larger and larger area. Developing countries chose LED lighting wrongly believing that LEDs are a long-term, more sustainable lighting solution. However, a huge problem with LEDs is their color. Making the switch from sodium lights that are orange-yellow in color, to the higher powered, bluish-white […]
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AMA Report Still Spawns Debate at Street and Area Lighting Conference
The LED Industry can’t overcome science offered by the American Medical Association (AMA). Over a year ago, the AMA published its report on hazards associated with LED streetlights. Industry proponents still insist that LED streetlights are safe. but Municipalities and Utility Companies are hedging. Link to Article PDF
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3000K CCT Maybe a Sheep’s Cloak for LED Manufacturers
The American Medical Association’s (AMA) report of June 2016 has caused LED manufactures to tout the benefits of “warmer LEDs”. By recommending a maximum color temperature of 3000 Kelvin, the AMA may have opened the flood gate for LEDs to proliferate. The Lighting Research Center at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has cautioned that Correlated Color Temperature, as […]
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DOE Continues to Rationalize use of LED Streetlights
The US Department of Energy continues to rationalize its promotion of LED Streetlights. The study offered up here states that “The findings in this document consequently represent only the contributions to sky glow from the street lighting system” and implies that LED Streetlights are not the primary source of “Sky Glow”. The study pits full power HPS […]
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Cities Are Rethinking LED Sreetlights After AMA Warning
AMA warning (6 June 2016) high-intensity LED streetlights emit unseen blue light that can disturb sleep rhythms and possibly increase the risk of serious health conditions, including cancer and cardiovascular disease, and can impair nighttime driving vision. Link to Article PDF
Read MoreLED Street Lights: Worth the Risks?
“Recognizing the detrimental effects of poorly-designed, high-intensity LED lighting, the American Medical Association (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 recommends an intensity threshold for optimal LED lighting that minimizes blue-rich light. The AMA also recommends all LED […]
Read MoreAmerican Medical Association Warns LED Streetlights are Harmful
The American Medical Association (AMA) now warns that the blue-rich, white light from LED streetlights is harmful to people and animals alike. The AMA recommends that LED Streetlights with lower Correlated Color Temperature (CCT) be used instead of the more efficient 4000K fixtures. CCT is measured in degrees Kelvin (“K”). Link to Article PDF
Read MoreFiltered White LEDs Help Preserve Dark Sky
Astronomers seek relief from light pollution caused by high-energy LED streetlights. Filtering shorter wavelength emissions from the LED streetlight spectrum is a tolerable, but not entirely acceptable compromise. Link to Article
Read MoreLED Streetlights- Erasing the Night Sky
By transitioning to light-emitting diode (LED) light bulbs — cities save a ton of energy, but as we are now learning, are also making light pollution worse. LED lights are so bright they block out more stars than more traditional light sources. Link to Article PDF
Read MoreEarly Warnings About Blue-Light Hazards
Long before the American Medical Association announced its report warning of the hazards of blue-light and night, some reporters realized that blue-light should be avoided. This article was recently updated to include new data on installation of lower Correlated Color Temperature (CCT) LEDs in San Francisco. Link to Article
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