In 2016 Phoenicians teamed up to help the City Street Department and City Council understand the new light emitting diodes (LED) streetlights which had been selected from a catalog. Staff had not visited the test LED neighborhood or City Parks with 4000K and 5000K blue-white fixtures. But that fall, residents chose soft- white fixtures and the City Council agreed and voted 9-0 for CCT 2700 Kelvin streetlights! At that time, Phoenix lead the world, in making a smart choice of LED light fixtures! Unfortunately, today the City of Phoenix lags behind 24 other cities and towns in Arizona and across the Country in adding LED to the city building code. This means cold blue-white LED above 3000 Kelvin and up to 7800K is AOK in Phoenix. Recently, City P&D staff said it would be 2032 (or later) before the 1992 Lighting Code could be updated to include LED. Today, light emitting diodes represent 99% of all lighting being installed - world wide. The threat of LED above 3000 Kelvin to our health is will documented for people and for wildlife. See examples and tips on LED lighting inside & out. So take a look here and let us know if you share our concerns.

Tips when buying LED light fixtures - inside & out LIGHT EMITTING DIODE (LED) are now the most common source for all types of lighting - indoor and outside. LED can save significant energy - unless more are used - which we see happening. KELVIN (K) describes the coloration of a light source. Kelvin is listed on light bulb boxes and in advertising. LUMEN describes the brightness like ‘watts’ did. Old 60 ‘watt’ bulb has about 800 Lumen. CORRELATED COLOR TEMPERATURE (CCT) measures light color and uses Kelvin to define the light. Look on container for a bulb rating like CCT 2700K! SHIELDING aims light down to where it is needed. Avoid light going up or off-site. Often flood lights are not correctly shielded so glare makes seeing harder and reduces security. Top left: Shows, shielded light fixture with 56 LED shining down to aim the light to where it is needed. Installed over coffee shop parking lot.

New coffee shop installed smart LED lighting rated at 2700 Kelvin as they expand state-wide. Smart approach of LED lighting can provide security and save energy. Company avoids bad blue-white light that happens when 4000K, 5000K, and higher Kelvin fixtures are used. Neighbors and wildlife benefit from correctly mounted and shielded LED light fixtures - that are below 3000K and are even better at 2700 Kelvin. The LED fixture shown are a WIN - WIN!

Light meter showed 2740K on a great LED light fixture within Mountain View Park (above) in 2017!

Mountain View Park was a test area for LED lighting in 2016. Lights at 4000 Kelvin and 5000K were installed. Both fixtures were rated as BAD by visitors. When the City Council chose 2700 LED streetlights, MVP got all new LED lighting in 2017!

Warm - White 2700K LED has much less blue and visibility is excellent. Cities are now going with LED streetlights that are dimmed 60% at 11:00pm to save 60% on the energy cost every night. While Phoenix led the county with smart 2700K streetlights in 2016. However, today the City of Phoenix is far behind, on updating the 1992 Lighting Code.

Cell Phone - get an app that tints the screen tan after a time you set like 7:00 pm. Reduce blue light exposure before bed!

Appliances - like refrigerators or hallway lighting often can be cheap LED lights that are blue-white. QUICK FIX TRY - WRAPPING around the LED with an orange bread wrapper which will help filter out the harmful blue.

Blue-white LED light fixtures, plus televisions and appliances are in our homes. TIPS HERE:

Television - Turn it off before you get ready for bed to reduce your exposure to blue light and improve sleep quality.

LED are energy efficient and very durable! But sometimes coatings can change and affect the coloration of LED fixtures. These are replaced for free under warranty, If you have a purple streetlight in PHX -- Note: 1.) Get the number off the tag mounted on the light poll & the street name. 2.) Look to see if it is owned APS or SRP. 3.) Call or go on-line. Phoenix streetlights like this one you’ll need to try PHX app 311. Good luck!?!

If the streetlight is out, or is purple, or you want to get a shade installed to prevent light on your house or yard - CONTACT: City of Phoenix 602-495-5125