What Are the Dangers of Grow Lights?
Grow lights are bulbs used indoors to help plants grow without the need for sunlight. Sunlight uses a wide spectrum of light colors which plants readily absorb, so grow lights need to mimic the type of light the sun produces as closely as possible. Fluorescent lights can use full-spectrum bulbs to create as many wavelengths as possible, while other plants depend on certain types of wavelengths produced by halide or halogen bulbs. Growers should use these bulbs carefully to avoid problems.
Vapor Problems
Fluorescent bulbs, among other growing light options, contain a small amount of mercury vapor. This is why fluorescent bulbs must be treated carefully and avoided for a short time if they suddenly break. Mercury is a highly toxic element and growers must be very careful to not breath in any of the vapor if their lights suddenly burst or drop. Mercury stays in the body for long periods and causes brain and kidney damage, among other problems.
- Grow lights are bulbs used indoors to help plants grow without the need for sunlight.
- Sunlight uses a wide spectrum of light colors which plants readily absorb, so grow lights need to mimic the type of light the sun produces as closely as possible.
Fires
When growers hook up their grow-light arrays, they do not always consider voltage and amperage requirements. Large grow-light arrays require a 220 volt dryer outlet, and even these outlets have amperage limitations. Too many bulbs or too much energy requirements can cause the bulbs to burn out or create electrical problems at the outlet. The main danger is an electrical fire caused by electrical mismanagement. Growers leave their lights unattended for long periods of time, which adds to the problem.
Mold
When growers use their light in high humidity, they create a unique problem. When the bulbs turn out, they heat up the air and help evaporate any standing moisture present. When the bulbs cycle off to cool down or imitate nighttime conditions, this moisture condenses again. It condenses not only on plants but also on walls and floors. This creates prime conditions for mold or mildew growth, which can pose serious structural and health dangers.
- When growers hook up their grow-light arrays, they do not always consider voltage and amperage requirements.
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Tyler Lacoma has worked as a writer and editor for several years after graduating from George Fox University with a degree in business management and writing/literature. He works on business and technology topics for clients such as Obsessable, EBSCO, Drop.io, The TAC Group, Anaxos, Dynamic Page Solutions and others, specializing in ecology, marketing and modern trends.
