Based on drivers’ complaint about LED boards affacting their vision, Shanghai will amend a law to tighten control on light pollution caused by electronic LED boards.

According to officials from the Shanghai Greenery and Public Sanitation Bureau, the original regulation, issued in 2004, didn't cover LED technology, which was new and rare at the time. The draft of an amended urban lighting regulation includes LED management and will be finalized soon.


Li Shuzhi comes from  the Shanghai Research Center of Engineering and Technology for Solid-State Lighting ,said the center started research on LED boards when more commercial LED boards were installed in the city in 2008. He said there are at least 1,000 LED boards in Shanghai and there are over 100 such boards along downtown Huaihai Road.

In his opioion, LED technology has been mature enough to generate super bright light. Advertisers prefer brighter boards to be seen far away, while the key is how to properly use it. He suggested LED boards must consider visible angle and brightness to reduce glare.

According to doctors, people's eyes will be harmed by prolonged viewing of LED boards. As a result, Professionals suggested the brightness of LED boards should be reduced by two thirds at night and that limits should be imposed on how long the boards are on at night.

Beijing has carried out a law in 2008 mandated the position of electronic boards, brightness at night and daytime brightness based on sunlight intensity.