Light Pollution? How Do LED Floodlights Address This?

Environmental pollution is a well-known issue, encompassing wastewater pollution, exhaust emissions, and solid waste emissions. However, there exists a type of pollution that has not garnered sufficient attention, known as "waste light" pollution. Light pollution disrupts human biological clocks, interferes with nocturnal animals, and severely affects astronomical observations. Therefore, it is crucial to actively reduce light pollution.

According to the definition in JGJ/T 163-2008, light pollution refers to the overall negative impact of intrusive light or excessive light radiation (including visible, ultraviolet, and infrared radiation) on humans, the ecological environment, and astronomical observations. See chart. Additionally, the standard provides definitions for intrusive light, spill light, and uplight.

Obtrusive light is spill light that causes discomfort, distraction, or visual impairment in specific circumstances due to the quantity, direction, or spectral characteristics of light. Spill light (spray light) is part of the light emitted by lighting equipment that illuminates beyond the intended target area. Ulor (Uplight Output Ratio) is the ratio of the luminous flux emitted above a horizontal plane to the total luminous flux emitted by all light sources within the lamp when the lamp is installed in its specified design position.

So, how can light pollution be reduced? The "Urban Night Scene Lighting Design Standards" (JGJ/T 163-2008) suggest the following measures to limit light pollution:

During the planning of urban night scene lighting, corresponding requirements and measures to limit light pollution should be proposed;

Urban night scene lighting design should be conducted in accordance with the urban night scene lighting plan;

Lighting should be strictly controlled within the lighting area, and intrusive lights produced by lighting fixtures should be limited. Spill light beyond the lighting area should not exceed 15%;

The operational time for night scene lighting should be reasonably set, and night scene lighting, advertising lighting, or internal translucent lighting for the high-rise parts of non-essential scenic areas should be promptly switched off.

Simultaneously, reducing light pollution is vital by strengthening the "dark night" consciousness and blocking the dispersion of "waste light." For instance LED floodlights and streetlights should be equipped with appropriate lampshades and products with good luminous distribution performance, such as narrow-angle controlled LED floodlights. Do not allow the light to pointlessly shine into the night sky; landscape lights should be kept as dim as possible to ensure brightness and order; turn off lights when not needed or switch off unnecessary lights.