Experts warn of health risks from LED lights across the Gulf Coast

LED lights are widely used across the Gulf Coast for their energy efficiency, but experts are raising concerns about their potential health impacts.

Dr. Mario Motta, who contributed to the American Medical Association's recommendations for reducing light pollution, said exposure to the blue light emitted by LED lights, like those lining the streets of Naples, can be as dangerous as cigarettes.

"Melatonin is a hormone that we all produce from the pineal gland of our brain, and it's an important hormone," Motta said. He explained that while LED lights are energy-efficient, they emit excessive blue light, which suppresses melatonin production.

"When you are asleep, you are in a repair function. The body is replenishing itself, and one of the things that it does is stimulate immune cells, specifically B and T cells, to circulate in your bloodstream and find bad cells," Motta said.

Melatonin plays a critical role in helping the body fight off cancer cells, according to Dr. Natalia Spinelli, a breast cancer surgeon.

"So basically, there is an association with LED lights — blue lights with increased breast cancer as well as prostate cancer," Spinelli said.

Municipalities across the Gulf Coast are replacing traditional orange-tinted sodium bulbs with energy-efficient blue LED lights, exposing residents to these lights in parks, neighborhoods, and downtown districts.

"The lower the blue, the better it is for your health," Motta said.

At Cape Coral's renovated Jaycee Park, some of the LED bulbs are 2,700 Kelvin, which is considered acceptable. However, others are 3,000 Kelvin, emitting 21% blue light—an amount Motta said is too high for a crowded neighborhood.

Spinelli explained that excessive blue light exposure can lead to inflammation, higher cortisol levels, and disruptions in the body's checks and balances mechanisms.

"Which leads to issues with inflammation, which leads to higher cortisol levels, which is the hormone associated with obesity and the fight-or-flight response, and so we basically throw off the mechanisms of checks and balances," Spinelli said.

To protect yourself at home, experts recommend using room-darkening shades to block light from seeping in, eliminating nightlights, and ensuring no blue light is present in your bedroom. Even small amounts of blue light, such as that from a cable box, can be harmful.

"It takes very little light to suppress the immune system, and by doing that, it might not be suppressed much, just a fraction, but you are allowing a greater likelihood of cancer to develop," Motta said.

DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment, and original programming on your TV.