LED Lighting: Health Effects

Lord Evans of Rainow Excerpts

Wednesday 28th October 2026 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

My noble friend is absolutely right to highlight the fantastic King’s critical care roof garden. I was very pleased to see the media coverage of it earlier this year. Not only are the team providing full life support to the patients, staff and families, allowing them to feel the therapeutic effects of being outside and in nature, but they are using the spaces they have developed for research on whether it gives the right support and enhances people’s health. I am very much looking forward to what they come up with. It is very impressive on top of their medical excellence.

[Lord Evans of Rainow (Con)]

My Lords, given the growing evidence that exposure to artificial light at night can disrupt sleep and the circadian rhythms, does the Minister agree that the Government should do more to ensure that the public are aware of these potential health risks? Will the Minister commit to updating existing public health guidance to reflect the latest scientific evidence?

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

If there are particular things the noble Lord thinks the Government are not doing, I would be very pleased to receive details. I am glad that he did not refer specifically to LED lighting. As I have said, there is no evidence that it is directly harmful in normal use in the general population. However, through the Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment, we are developing an evidence-based review programme on artificial light and health, just as he asks, and gathering evidence and identifying gaps. We are also supporting research and working internationally. I would be very pleased to give further details if the noble Lord would like.