IT TAKES GUTS

Why are we living in a public toilet?

23/8/2025

The Hazards of LED Lighting and what we can do about it!

Why are we living in a public toilet? It may seem like a bizarre question, but when we consider the impact of LED lighting on our health and well-being, the analogy begins to make sense. LED lighting has become ubiquitous in our modern world, from streetlights to office buildings to our own homes. But are we truly aware of the harmful effects that this type of lighting can have on our bodies and the environment?

In an age where we pride ourselves on technological advancement and sustainability, the ubiquitous adoption of LED lighting stands as an ugly paradox. As urban landscapes are illuminated under the glare of bright, often harsh artificial lights, one must ask: have we traded comfort for convenience? While proponents extoll the virtues of LED technology—efficiency, longevity, and reduced energy consumption—the unseen costs may far outweigh the benefits. This post seeks to articulate why our reliance on LED lighting resembles living in a public toilet—one that is not only inhospitable but also detrimental to human health and the ecological balance of our environment.

There are three main types of lightbulbs: light-emitting diodes (LEDs), compact fluorescents (CFLs), and incandescent light. The first two pose significant health risks, which are often looked over because of their greater energy efficiency. However, these health concerns continue to negatively impact society. The light-emitting diode (LED) emits light from the short-wave, high-energy blue and violet end of the visible light spectrum. This light range impacts our sleep cycle, and exposure to it helps to control our circadian rhythm. However, using this light indoors and at all hours of the day throws our circadian rhythm off, making it difficult to fall asleep. Additionally, this continued exposure to blue light increases the likelihood of headaches. LED lightbulbs may also contribute to cataracts, with a 2014 study on rats finding that chronic exposure to LED lights had a greater effect on a rat’s retinas than other light sources with less blue light.

Other studies have reported that LED lights contribute to headaches due to their increased amount of flickering. When compared to fluorescent bulbs, which dim to only 35% with each flicker, LED lights dim to less than 10%. This significant decline in light with each flicker disrupts the movement control of the eyes, which causes the brain to work harder and may be why those who use LEDs report more headaches.
There is also a risk with LED lights that break because they contain a range of dangerous neurotoxins, including lead and arsenic. If these lightbulbs break, these compounds then become airborne and inhaled.

Compact fluorescent (CFL) lightbulbs produce light when an electric current flows between electrodes placed at either end of a gas-filled tube. The reaction produces heat and ultraviolet light, which then becomes light when it hits the phosphor coating on the bulb’s interior. However, the components of CFL lightbulbs can cause electric smog or “dirty electricity” to be emitted by the electrical wiring they are connected to.

This electric smog is a form of EMF radiation, which has been linked to brain tumours, cancer, and male infertility. Electric smog refers to irregular spikes and surges of electric energy transmitted along electrical wiring. As the electric energy reaches higher frequencies, it can become airborne and go through the walls into the rooms of buildings. Electric smog typically occurs when appliances, such as the CFL bulb, try to alter the normal flow of alternating electrical current.

A study has also found that CFL lightbulbs emit high levels of ultraviolet radiation (specifically UVA and UVC rays) and that the UV rays emitted by CFL lightbulbs are strong enough to burn skin and damage skin cells. This places CFL lightbulbs used in up-close appliances, such as a desk lamp, dangerous. Incandescent bulbs typically get a bad rap because they are considered the most energy inefficient, but these lightbulbs remain the best for your health. Of all the lightbulbs, incandescent lights most closely mimic natural light from the sun

In contrast, incandescent lighting offers a more natural and gentle form of illumination that is better suited to our needs. Incandescent bulbs emit a warm, soothing light that is easy on the eyes and creates a cozy atmosphere in any space. Additionally, oil and methane lamps, with their soft glow and rustic charm, offer a sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative to modern lighting solutions.

It's time for us to reconsider our reliance on LED lighting and explore more health-conscious and sensible alternatives. By returning to incandescent bulbs and embracing traditional forms of lighting such as oil and methane lamps, we can create a more harmonious and healthy environment for ourselves and future generations. Let's step out of the public toilet that LED lighting has created and embrace a brighter, more natural future.

The flicker of LED lights, often imperceptible to the naked eye, can create an unsettling effect on those exposed to it over extended periods. Research has demonstrated that this flickering exacerbates headaches, migraines, and even visual discomfort. For individuals with sensitivities such as migraines or epilepsy, the presence of flickering light can transform a simple home environment into a source of chronic pain and distress. Moreover, the aesthetic quality of LED lighting is frequently critiqued for its stark, clinical appearance, which can strip spaces of warmth and character, reducing our once-enchanting communal spaces to something resembling a sterile waiting room. In cityscapes, where LEDs dominate street lighting, the impact becomes even more pronounced, creating atmospheres devoid of charm or tranquility—indeed, environments reminiscent of public restrooms rather than vibrant community hubs.

Further compounding these issues is the phenomenon of light pollution—a direct consequence of excessive artificial lighting. Urban areas continuously bathed in artificial illumination disrupt natural circadian rhythms, the body's intrinsic clock that regulates sleep-wake cycles. Human beings, along with countless other species, rely on the natural interplay of light and dark to signal various biological processes. The brightness of LED lights at night suppresses melatonin production, a hormone essential for sleep regulation. This disruption leads to a cascade of health consequences, including insomnia, increased risk of anxiety disorders, and a host of chronic illnesses ranging from hypertension to diabetes. The consequences become clearer when considering the broader implications: wildlife is similarly affected. Nocturnal creatures, reliant on darkness for feeding and reproduction, find their behaviours altered and disrupted by the pervasiveness of artificial light.

Critics of the current lighting paradigm might argue that LED technology, being blissfully energy-efficient, represents a significant advancement in energy efficiency. However, this perspective neglects critical aspects of the debate. The production of LED lights, often
involving rare earth metals, comes at a significant environmental cost. Moreover, the disposal of these lights poses an increasing challenge, with potential leaching of toxic materials into our ecosystems if not managed correctly. Thus, while superficially appealing, the long-term implications of widespread LED adoption fail to provide a healthy and environmentally friendly solution.

As we confront the realities of LED use, let us consider the more humane alternatives of incandescent bulbs and even methane and oil lamps. Incandescent bulbs, though deemed 'inefficient' by modern standards, offer several advantages that merit reconsideration. The warm glow produced by incandescent lights fosters a cozy ambiance that is psychologically comforting. Unlike LEDs, the light emitted is steady, reducing strain on the eyes and promoting better well-being while enhancing mood. Furthermore, the rudimentary structure of incandescent bulbs lends itself to easy recycling and waste management compared to their LED counterparts, reducing their overall environmental impact.

Oil and gas lamps, too, evoke nostalgia and represent a return to a simpler, more sustainable method of illumination. Historically, these lamps provided both light and warmth in a manner that promoted a sense of intimacy within the household. The gentle flicker of flame creates an enchanting atmosphere, a stark contrast to the harsh brightness oft-associated with LED technology. Additionally, using renewable sources of fuel—such as vegetable oils or animal fats—highlights an era of more environmentally-conscious practices. By reverting to such methods, societies could cultivate a deeper connection to their energy sources and promote sustainable living.

However, the question remains: can society effectively transition back to these older forms of lighting? Acknowledging the inevitability of technological progress, we must advocate for harmonising modern capabilities with longstanding traditions. Perhaps the solution lies in radical ideas that stem from our history. One UK inventor has recently developed a way to turn dog poo into methane gas used to illuminate streetlights. The method is simple, dog owners can drop their dog’s poo into a container and turn a handle. The poo is then transformed into methane using the process of anaerobic digestion.

Harper told, “The gas light captured people’s imagination and shows them dog poop has a value. As a result, we get it [poo] off the ground, into a receptacle, and producing something useful.” Harper is not the first person to see the potential in poo. There is a project running in Massachusetts (US) called Park Spark that also uses dog poo to power park lamps.

Using poo as a fuel source is being adopted all over the world from Canada to India. India is one of those countries that adopted the poo power very early. Small household bio-digesters that extract biogas from cow dung is very common in rural areas. Such innovations could act as a bridge between the efficiency of modern technology and the warmth and know how of traditional lighting. Humans have been using excrement as fuel for thousands of years.

The Webb Patent Sewer Gas Lamp was invented in the late 19th century by the Birmingham inventor Joseph Webb. In London the lamps were used for two main reasons; firstly to burn off the smells and germs from London’s sewer system, and secondly as a low cost, low maintenance way to keep London lit up at night.
There is just one of these lamps still fully functioning in London next to one of the finest hotels in London, The Savoy. Within ten years of their arrival in the lamps became spread across London and then the world. Old sewers were often wonky and pockets of gas could collect that would lead to deadly explosions and these lamps were a clever way to eliminate that problem and provide almost free lighting to the murky streets above.

Cities could invest in intelligently designed light fixtures that run on poop waste in what has been the natural cycle of life since life began. They minimise glare and reduce unnecessary illumination while preserving necessary security and visibility. Educational campaigns could also empower communities to make informed decisions about their lighting choices, encouraging them to seek alternatives to the pervasive LED fixtures that currently dominate our surroundings.

In conclusion, our present-day reliance on LED lighting poses a multitude of hazards—be it their flickering nature, visual unpleasantness, adverse effects on health, or contribution to light pollution. As we confront the unsettling reality of living under such glaring artificiality, it is imperative to engage in discourse surrounding our lighting choices.
Embracing incandescent bulbs, methane and oil lamps may seem archaic, yet they represent holistic solutions that prioritise well-being and sustainability. To reclaim our urban spaces from the harshness of LED lighting, we must be willing to reimagine the future of illumination by remembering the past, merging the best of the old with the innovative spirit of the new. Only then can we hope to escape the metaphorical and actual public toilet glare of fluorescent and LED lighting and use public poop to bask in the warm, nurturing embrace of light that is both beautiful and healthy.