Experts from the National Health Safety Agency (ANSES) have noted several errors in the study used to construct the most recent European standard. According to them, this can contribute to increasing the risk of glaucoma or AMD.
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French health authorities are recommending the revision of a European standard relating to the safety of toys containing LEDs. Experts from the National Health Safety Agency (ANSES) estimate that for luminous LED toys, such as robot plush toys or educational games with buttons or parts that light up or flash, the current standard which dates from 2020 does not provide sufficient protection for children’s eyes. Their lens is in fact clearer, and filters less blue light. French experts are calling, Tuesday, October 1, for a return to the 2005 standard, which was more protective.
These experts noted several errors in the study used to construct the most recent European standard, underlines Dina Attia, project manager of an evaluation unit at Anses. These methodological errors have made the standard too permissive, and the risk for children is that certain toys expose them to too much blue light. A situation which can contribute to increasing the risk of glaucoma or AMD, age-related macular degeneration, when they become adults. Furthermore, blue light also disrupts biological rhythms and can delay sleep if exposed before bed.
The share of toys on the market, which could potentially pose a risk, is difficult to quantify, but the filter between the two standards is difficult to quantify. The experts carried out a test on a panel of 10 toys comprising 19 LEDs of different colors. With the 2005 standard, only two toys passed the safety test. With that of 2020, nine of them have been placed on the market.
Pending the possible update of this safety standard, ANSES experts advise parents to limit the use of LEDs for children or to preferably choose red or orange. It’s less harsh on the eyes. They also advise preferring yellow lighting and not white for a child’s bedroom. Finally, daylight, which has a protective effect, allows children to spend at least two hours a day outdoors by promoting a good balance of the light spectrum for their eyes.