LED Poisoning

Are you being LED astray?

Excuse the puns, but this is actually very serious.

There is a huge global push towards the use of LED lighting to replace all incandescent and halogen lights.

Why? ... LEDs use less power and so this is going to 'save the world'.

But not so fast!

There is mounting evidence from many researchers that LEDs may actually be very harmful, both to 'humans' and to the world. So, in 'saving the world', we may actually be doing great damage to people and the environment ... just to save a few dollars on power bills.

Read the following articles and see for yourself:

• LED light Sensitivity: What you need to know
• A summary of LED lighting impacts on health
• Do 'environmentally friendly' LED lights cause blindness?
• Natural Eye Care: Why Lightbulb Choices Matter
• Are LED light safe? Are they harmful to your health?
• The Dark Side of LED Lightbulbs (Scientific American)

Why is this information in the Dyslexia & Irlen Syndrome web site?

Well, people with Irlen Syndrome are particularly sensitive to light and light frequencies, and the reactions that many people with Irlen Syndrome report are extremely severe with LEDs ... severe headaches and migraines, significantly interrupted brain processing to the point of incapacitation ... and more.

If this was just about a smallish percentage of the population it would be an issue. Putting in LEDs for someone with Irlen Syndrome is the same as putting in steep stairs as the only entrance for those in a wheelchair ... it could runs headlong into the Disability Discrimination Act!

But perhaps there is even more here ... people with Irlen Syndrome could be the proverbial 'canaries in the coal mine'.

Canaries are highly sensitive to lack of oxygen in a mine, and if they stop singing it is time for the people to head for the exits.

In the same way, if the 'light-sensitive' people with Irlen Syndrome are suffering severly, is it "just them" or is it time to look very seriously ... are we all being LED poisoned? The articles linked above seem to suggest that possibility ... none of those were singling out Irlen Syndrome sufferers.

What can you do about this?

Here are some suggestions:

• Find out about the toxic and health effects of LEDs
• Find out about Irlen Syndrome to see if you are one of the 'sensitive' ones
• DONT spend the money to replace your incandescent and halogen globes ... adding a dimmer or timer is much cheaper and more eye-friendly
• Find out how much it actually does cost to buy all those more expensive globes and work out your actual saving, after capital costs... you might have to forgo an extra cup of coffee a week!
• Wear a cap or hat to shield your eyes if you have to go into toxic LED situations
• Don’t be LED into a dark place (excuse the pun again) ... use natural lighting wherever possible