BLUe light phototoxicity: exploRing the effects on human heAlth and biodiversitY in Ireland

The increasing use of light-emitting diode (LED) systems has led to concerns about their impact on health and the environment. LEDs are energy efficient, consuming about ninety percent less energy than traditional incandescent bulbs. However, they emit more blue light, which can negatively affect human health and the environment.

Blue light is higher in energy and has been linked to issues like eye toxicity and disruption of circadian rhythms, which regulate sleep and various physiological processes. The European Environment Agency (EEA) has highlighted the potential harmful effects of increased blue-light exposure, pointing to possible impacts on eye health, sleep disorders, and environmental issues like biodiversity loss.

During the Covid-19 pandemic, increased indoor time led to more blue-light exposure, particularly affecting younger generations' health and wellbeing. The EEA recommends new thresholds and policies to reduce these effects.

In Ireland, LEDs are replacing traditional lighting, but existing guidelines focus mostly on energy efficiency and glare, without addressing other LED characteristics such as color rendering and flickering. The Blu-RAY project addresses this by collecting baseline data to evaluate the effects of LED exposure both indoors and outdoors, focusing on vulnerable populations and the interactions of blue light with other pollutants.

The project investigates the long-term cumulative exposure to blue light and its potential toxicity. Desk, lab, and field studies aim to inform new Irish regulations, aligning with the criteria suggested by the EEA.