LED technology might not be as eco-friendly as you think

post, Mar 9, 2012 on Mitja Felicijan's blog

There is a lot of talk about LED technology. It is beginning to infiltrate -industry at a fast rate, and it’s a challenge for designers and also engineers. -I wondered when a weakness will be revealed. Then I stomped on an article -talking about harm in using LED technology. It looks like this magical -technology is not so magical and eco-friendly.

A new study from the University of California indicates that LED lights contain -toxic metals, and should be produced, used and disposed of carefully. Besides -the lead and nickel, the bulbs and their associated parts were also found to -contain arsenic, copper, and other metals that have been linked to different -cancers, neurological damage, kidney disease, hypertension, skin rashes and -other illnesses in humans, and to ecological damage in waterways.

Since then, I haven’t yet found any regulation for disposal of LED lights or any -other regulation or standard. This might be a problem in the future. And it is a -massive drawback. This might have quite an impact on consumer market.

Nevertheless, there is a potential, and I am sure the market will adapt. I also -hope I will be reading documents regarding solution for this concern soon.

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