Full Spectrum Lighting . . . things to consider

The phrase 'full-spectrum lighting' is not scientific terminology, it is primarily a marketing term. It can mean anything you want it to, and usually does.
No filter or special type of glass can add anything to light - this is one of the most basic principles of physics. Light frequencies produced by a lamp can be reduced by a filter or glass, but new light frequencies can not be added. Beware claims made by vendors of special lamp sleeves or glass with special additives that will turn 'ordinary' light into 'full-spectrum' light - they are counting on you to forget 6th grade science!

What is different about the light from the lamps sold as 'full-spectrum'? High color temperature, simulating noon summer sky - very blue. This color is much different that the color of most home lighting. Excellent color quality, often above 90 CRI. The methods used to gain these high levels of color rendition sacrifice light output. Light levels from typical 'full-spectrum' lamps are up to 50% lower than other, equivalent lamps.

Extra ultraviolet (UV) light is often produced by the lamps. Most lamp manufacturers are trying to reduce the amount of UV produced by lamps, due to health concerns about holes in the ozone layer, skin cancer and glaucoma. While the human body does need some UV (through the skin) you get your daily dosage in only a few minutes by going outdoors. Only people who never get outdoors would receive significant benefits from an enhanced UV light.

Cost. 'Full-spectrum' products cost up to 600% more than most T-8 lamps.
Health claims By law, anyone making a health claim about a lighting product must file evidence supporting that claim with the United States Food and Drug Administration, in a form called a 510K. To date, no manufacturer of 'full-spectrum' lighting products has ever filed a completed 510K.

Anyone making health claims about lighting products without such documentation is potentially guilty of a Federal felony, and faces significant fines and possible imprisonment. The largest manufacturer of 'full-spectrum' lighting products is under a U.S. Eighth Court of Appeals injunction to cease and desist any such claims. Their literature no longer makes any health claims, but some of their sales representatives persist in implying health benefits. By making those implications, the sales representatives take upon themselves the full weight of the law requiring burden of proof. They are fully required to produce proof, and face the same potential criminal charges if they personally fail to provide such evidence.

Seasonal Affective Disorder is a type of clinical depression related to morning light deprivation. It is not simply being sad, or feeling blue. It is true depression, which is a serious, life-threatening condition. If you suspect you may suffer from depression of any kind, seek help from a medical professional, not a lighting salesperson. Successful treatment of SAD is based on exposure to HIGH light levels early in the day.

These are light levels over 500% higher than typically found under home lighting - similar to outdoor light levels. Below about 250 footcandles, it doesn't matter what the light source used is, because the light level is too low to have any effect on SAD. Above 250 footcandles, it doesn't matter what the light source is, because SAD responds to high light levels, not types of light sources.

To the human endocrine system, there is no difference between types of lighting. This has been shown in over 20 years of research at hundreds of sites sponsored by the National Institutes of Mental Health (NIMH).

claims to reduce glareGlare is a function of the ratio of brightness from the brightest object in your surroundings to the dimmest. Typically, the brightest object is the light fixture, and since some 'full-spectrum' products produce as much as 50% less light, the brightness ratio is reduced. Voila! - less glare, but not from anything other than being dimmer.

claims to reduce flicker Flicker from fluorescent lighting is a function of the ballast that operates the lamps. Nothing you do to the lamps will affect flicker. If you get headaches from flicker from fluorescent lighting, change to a new electronic ballast. 'Full-spectrum' lamps will produce the same flicker, if placed on the same magnetic 60 cycle ballast.

claims to be 'more soothing' Highly subjective, based on studies conducted by the manufacturers. No universities or other independent researchers have been able to duplicate study results using the 'double-blind' method of research required for objective results in medical research studies.

claims to reduce hyperactivity Highly subjective, based on studies conducted by the manufacturers. No universities have been able to duplicate study results using the 'double-blind' method of research required for objective results in medical research studies. remember, anything that sounds too good to be true, usually is. The 'placebo effect' means that up to about 20% of any group in a test sample will feel better regardless of whether there is anything efficacious in the substance they are exposed to. This means that for a 'medicine' to be considered to be really effective, much greater than 20% rates are needed. Think twice about extraordinary claims made for ANY lighting product.

If you have a medical condition that might respond to light therapy you should be consulting a medical professional, NOT a lighting salesperson. If a light salesperson makes medical claims ask to see their license to practice medicine. If the salesperson claims to have a product that has amazing beneficial health effects, watch out.

If they claim their company is a victim of a conspiracy by 'corporate interests', ask for proof. If they make claims about the product not supported by their product literature, ask if they are personally ready to prove their claims to the 8th U.S. District Court of Appeals, out of their own pocket.

Source:http://www.elflist.com