LED (light-emitting diodes) lights are some of the most common forms of electric lighting today. They are cost effective, energy efficient and durable. These are some of the reasons why LED lights are found in most homes, offices, and corporate buildings. They are also used for agricultural purposes, particularly as a source of alternative light in indoor plant cultivation.
LED light works differently from other lighting equipment in that they send electric current via a specially designed semiconductor. The electric current activates electrons on the device which makes the bulb to shine very bright even with low electric current. Depending on the materials the LED light bulb is built with, the wavelength differs.
It is this special wavelength feature that makes LED lights perfect for growing plants indoors. Known as Grow LED Lights, these types of LED lights are perfect for plants, which need different wavelengths of light as they grow and develop. Grow LED lights have helped farmers of all sizes give their plants the best lighting conditions, especially where natural light is absent or inadequate.
The increasing rate of Grow LED light technology use for agricultural purposes has raised a lot of questions regarding their safety to human health.
Here, we would take a look at the health effects (if any) of LED lights, so that we can answer the question once and for all.
Are Grow LED lights safe for the human eyes?
If you stare into an exposed light for too long, you will be putting your eyesight at risk. This is an accepted fact that involves any form of light, whether artificial or natural. The manner of damage to the eyes is based on three factors:
- The intensity of the light
- Wavelength
- Duration of light gazing (how long you stared at the light)
Any light bulb that emits intense light will definitely hurt your eyes regardless of the wavelength or duration, so to be on the safe side; don’t make a habit of staring into direct light sources.
LED lights produce a variety of wavelengths, some of which are not harmful to humans, but Grow LED lights that emit ultraviolet light can damage your eyes over time.
When using Grow LED lights for your indoor cultivation, minimise the time you spend under the lights. While LED lights will not damage your skin, you may need to wear protective glasses if your work requires you to look directly into the light.
However, like every other thing, Grow LED lights differ in quality and durability, so you should check out Grow LED reviews before buying.
Are Grow LED lights save for overall health?
Studies have shown that exposure to bright lights in the evening or at night affect the natural sleep-wake cycle. The body wants to sleep, but the bright light is telling it to stay awake. This is why most people find it difficult to sleep when the TV or overhead lights are on, a few hours before bedtime. Just as it is with other forms of artificial light, so is it with Grow LED lights. While working under them will not affect your health, you may want to turn them off a few hours before going to bed.
Also, all forms of artificial light, whether LED lights or fluorescent lights are not harmful unless you directly touch its surface, and LED lights are better than others because it doesn’t generate enough heat to be too hot to the touch. However, Grow LED lights that come with heat sinks can burn if you touch the heat sink while the light is on.
That said, it is important to point out that LED lights do emit minor radiation that interferes with wireless and mobile phones; however, it does not pose any significant risk to users.
Are LED made from hazardous materials?
When LED lights were first developed, they were made with hazardous metals like mercury. This resulted in various biohazard problems, especially when the bulb breaks and you are cleaning up. For this reason, people avoided contact with broken LED bulbs. However, LED bulbs don’t break easily unlike incandescent bulbs.
These days, technological advancement has made the design of LED bulbs eco-friendly and biohazard free. This means that they do not pose any health hazard whether whole or broken.
Wrapping up
The Grow LED lights developed today are better, more efficient and safer than the old ones. They are safe for use indoors as a source of artificial light for household plants and will hurt neither the plants nor the farmer. However, you should always take the usual safety precautions when using light to avoid accidents and electric fire.
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