Dangers and Disadvantages of the LED Grow Light

LED lights have slowly outdone most of the other light bulb competitors in the market. These include incandescent lights, fluorescent lights as well as halogen lights. LED stands for “light – emitting diode”. Although these lights have won most people over, there might be disadvantages to these seemingly perfect technologically advanced lights.

Firstly, there are more expensive as a one-off payment. If you will only be able to use them for a shorter period, then the cost would not be as worthwhile as either halogen light bulbs of fluorescent bulbs. LED grow bulbs can deteriorate in extreme temperatures and are not as flexible enough to be able to be used where dimming switches are placed.

LED grow illumination bulbs mainly produce blue light even though the first LED grow bulbs that were manufactured emitting green and red light wavelengths. Blue light emitted from the bulb has a longer wavelength. To the human eye, it appears much brighter compared with the other colour wavelengths. The wavelength should not be shone in the eye or be used often at night because it can be either distracting or blinding for your eyes even if you might not feel any effects. There has been much controversy over the issues known as “blue – light hazard” because there has been some scientific evidence that the blue light emitted from LED lights can be harmful and damaging to the eyes in the long term.

The eye itself responds very efficiently to the blue bulb emitted from LED bulbs and have previously caused corneal complications in some individuals. Due to the fact that the eye responds so efficiently to the blue buld, the eye becomes quickly fatigued. If the eye continues to be exposed to the bulb for a long period, it can cause eyestrain and even mild to severe headaches.

Another effect that blue LED grow light can cause to the human body is disrupt normal sleeping patterns. When the eye is exposed to the blue wavelength light, the body reacts to it as if it were natural light. If the blue LED grow light is used too often especially at night is has the potential to create sleeping disorders.

Certain LED lights produce UV and infrared light in addition to the blue light. Although the human eye cannot visibly see UV or infrared light, they are both dangerous. Ultraviolet light can cause damage to not only the eyes but skin as well. This type of LED grow light should only be used under control environments for scientific purposes or procedures. Infrared light can easily damage nearby electronic or at least lessen the usage of the electronics.