An Overview of the Controversies of Blue Rich White Light in Outdoor Lighting Bryan King Strategic Lighting Partners Ltd 1
Presentation Overview • Much confusion and misconception about BRWL in outdoor lighting • Much media and thought leader commentary and dissent • Balancing safety outcomes with unintended consequences • LED vs Legacy light sources • Measurement and scenario modelling • Practical techniques for impact reduction
Artificial Light At Night (ALAN) Intended consequences of ALAN (Why do we light?) 1. Vehicular safety 2. Pedestrian safety 3. Public Amenity But ….. Unintended consequences of ALAN (How can we minimise?) 1. Night sky impacts 2. Human impacts 3. Ecological impacts 4. Visual discomfort 5. Neighbourhood nuisance 6. Energy waste 7. Financial waste
Confusion and Misconception This discussion is about the controversies of BRWL in Outdoor Lighting Why is there confusion and misconception? • Complex scientific concepts • Complex design concepts • Multi-faceted issues to address • Some issues and parameters are in conflict • Interest groups are interested in their special issues • New technologies are not well understood by the wider community • Everyone has their own opinions • What is the best balance for wider community good?
American Medical Association June 2016 - AMA Report: “Human and Environmental Effects of LED Community Lighting” • Potential issues have fired public debate • Ongoing discussion contains many “misperceptions and mischaracterizations” • Astronomical, ecological and human health issues overlap, all are related to Artificial Light at Night
Media Frenzy …… “LED outdoor lighting is harmful”
What did the AMA report actually say ? Report recommendations: 1. That our AMA support the proper conversion to community based LED lighting, which reduces energy consumption and decreases the use of fossil fuels. 2. That our AMA encourage minimizing and controlling blue-rich environmental lighting by using the lowest emission of blue light possible to reduce glare. 3. That our AMA encourage the use of 3000K or lower lighting for outdoor installations such as roadways. All LED lighting should be properly shielded to minimize glare and detrimental human and environmental effects, and consideration should be given to utilize the ability of LED lighting to be dimmed for off-peak time periods.
AMA Report – Reaction and Feedback USA Reaction from Academia, Government, Professional Assns, Industry Assns
The Headline Debate “ Street-light CCT debate will continue, but it is misguided” - LEDs magazine “AMA Report Affirms Human Health Impacts from LED” - International Dark-Sky Association “Nighttime blue-light LEDs cause health problems, AMA warns” – Physics Today”
Reaction and Feedback in NZ ODT Op Ed Article: 7 Nov 2016 “Science can inform better lighting decisions” “ White LEDs have broader, long-term losses which include harming the health of human residents, endangering wildlife, and degrading what remains of our night sky” Responses from:
The Definitive Lighting Commentary + IESNA Position Statement PS-09-17 - June 28 2017 • The AMA has published a policy that affects roadway lighting, without including input from those with expertise in roadway lighting • The AMA policy purports to be directed at health effects due to sleep disruption, but does not address the many various parameters and inputs known to have an equal or greater effect on sleep than spectrum or CCT. • The AMA Policy encourages restrictions on spectral quality of light, absent any qualifications for light level or duration of exposure, and does not consider the possible positive aspects that spectral content might contribute to vehicular and pedestrian safety.
But ..… Thanks AMA ! (really) Thank you for highlighting public awareness of this important issue Thank you for highlighting that you support: • The proper conversion to LED public lighting • Good design choices that control ALAN • Good equipment choices that control ALAN • Light control and dimming at off-peak periods This has resulted in: • Much increased public awareness of ALAN • Much accelerated government information and academic research on ALAN • Much better market climate for buyers and sellers to implement better solutions
Scientific Committee on Health, Environmental and Emerging Risks (SCHEER) “Potential risks to human health of Light Emitting Diodes” – July 2017 The report covered all types of interior and exterior LEDs Conclusion: • The Committee concludes that there is no evidence of direct adverse health effects from LEDs in normal use (lighting and displays) by the general healthy population. • Either discomfort glare or disability glare can be temporarily caused by vehicle LED lights, and particularly daylight running lights and headlights. • Light sources that emit more short-wavelength light, as do some types of LEDs, will have a larger effect on the circadian rhythms at equal optical radiance, duration and timing of exposure. At the moment, it is not yet clear if this disturbance of the circadian system leads to adverse health effects.
But how can we actually make progress? • Better information and awareness emerging on the impacts of ALAN • Quantification and modelling tools are emerging • Astute Lighting design is essential • Fit-for-purpose light source choices are essential • Better luminaire optics to minimise and control the light needed • Smart control systems to provide light only where and when needed
Lighting Design - The Essential Element Is light actually needed? …… Always ask the question first ! If lighting is needed, it must be fit for purpose: • The right quality of light • The right level of light • The right placement of light • The right duration of light All these parameters will vary with the nature of the lighting application
Is LED the problem or the solution? BRWL is not a new phenomena with several 4000-5000 Kelvin legacy light sources: • Mercury Vapour • Metal halide • Linear Fluorescent LED is definitely part of the impact minimisation solution as its allows vast choice and control over light characteristics and application
The Visual Effectiveness of Amber Lightsources Question: Is 2200 Kelvin Amber LED a solution, as some assert? Answer: Will it adequately perform the lighting job required? Standard AS/NZS 1158 Part 3.1 - P Category - Pedestrian predominant lighting • Currently HPS light has a 0.7 lumen derating • Currently LPS light has a 0.5 lumen derating • What will be the Amber LED 2200K lumen derating? Therefore: With Amber light more lumens are required to deliver the equivalent visual conditions and to provide the expected safety outcomes for humans
US-DOE Webinar – “The Impact of LED Street Lighting on Sky Glow” April 2017
The Positive Impact of Good LED Luminaire Optics Case Study - City of Los Angeles The improved light distribution, elimination of hot spots and waste uplight collectively enabled a >50% reduction in luminaire output
How much light is needed on roads? AS/NZS 1158 light levels as % of European EN 13201 levels
Don ’ t light when its not needed !
The New Normal - Smart Controls Connectivity
Smart City – Outdoor Lighting Controls
Conclusion The Coming Revolution ? New Scientist Magazine - 8 July 2017 Dr George Brainard – Department of Neurology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia. “Solid state lighting has emerged that is exquisitely tunable, …… and light truly affects health” “I think we are going to see a complete revolution in lighting and architecture in a very short space of time”
Thank You Bryan King Strategic Lighting Partners Ltd bryan@strategiclightingpartners.com 25
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