January 31, 2024

5 Big Questions: Mark Baker's Push for LED Regulation

Fresh off his lawsuit filing against the FDA, we delve into Mark Baker's case for U.S. government regulation of LED manufacturing and usage.

Mark Baker, president of the Soft Lights Foundation and a former math teacher who claims to suffer adverse health effects from LED lighting, has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), alleging the agency failed to establish necessary performance standards for LED lighting products.

In an interview with Inside Lighting, Baker pointed out several aspects of LED lighting that, in his view, cause health issues for him and others. He highlighted square wave flicker, luminance and spectral power distribution as three areas needing regulation.

Hear it straight from Mark Baker, the plaintiff in Baker vs. FDA

What health issues are associated with LED lighting? (0:45)
What medical evidence exists for the claims of health impacts due to LED lights? (5:16)
How are doctors diagnosing and commenting on patients who report adverse effects from LED lighting? (6:58)
What were the most severe symptoms experienced by Baker? (8:10)
What are the main claims and goals in Baker's lawsuit against the FDA? (10:54)

BONUS QUESTIONS:

What would be a satisfactory conclusion of the lawsuit for Baker? (13:54)
Does Baker want us to live in a 2700K world? (15:23)
Why is Baker proceeding with the lawsuit against the FDA pro se (without legal representation)? (16:45)

AMA Report on LED Lighting »

The Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) disagrees with the AMA's recommendations regarding limitations on the spectral content and the use of a 3000K or lower color temperature for outdoor lighting, citing insufficient evidence and a lack of comprehensive analysis on public health impacts.

IES Response to AMA Report »

LRC Response to AMA Report »

Soft Lights Foundation »

5 Big Questions and other Lighting Interviews