Author(s) :

George Tai Zhao.

Volume/Issue :

Abstract :

Addressing climate change requires lighting technologies that are both energy-efficient and safe for human health. This work systematically evaluates four widely used lighting types—incandescent, halogen, fluorescent, and light-emitting diode (LED) lamps—using a high-resolution spectral observation instrument, which covers the wavelength range of 300–1000 nm with a spectral resolution of 0.45 nm. The spectral measurements are further analyzed to determine the distribution of emitted energy across visible (380–780 nm), ultraviolet (UV, <380 nm), and high-energy blue-light bands (415–455 nm). Results show that incandescent and halogen lamps exhibit low luminous efficacy (~15%) but negligible UV and blue-light emissions. In contrast, fluorescent lamps achieve higher efficacy (92–99%) but emit measurable UV (1–2%) and blue light (4–20%), indicating potential exposure risks. LEDs offer the highest efficacy (~99%) with no detectable UV emission; however, 11–15% of their output falls within the high-energy blue-light range, raising health concerns under prolonged exposure. These findings provide a quantitative basis for designing lighting technologies and standards that integrate both sustainability and health considerations.