UVB-emitting LEDs for reptile lighting: Identifying the risks of nonsolar UV spectra

UVB lamps are used to provide reptiles housed indoors with the UV radiation necessary to synthesize vitamin D₃ in their skin. Since 2019, UVB-LED lamps have been on sale for use in reptile husbandry. We performed spectral analysis and mapped the UV irradiance for 18 of these lamps. The positive benefits of UVB-LED lamps over traditional products include greater energy efficiency, freedom from mercury and easy installation without external ballasts. However, the spectra of all the UVB-LED lamps tested had little similarity to the solar UV spectrum. Some lamps emitted short-wavelength, non-terrestrial, radiation known to cause acute photo-kerato-conjunctivitis; we report one case. All lamps were lacking significant output in the range 315-335 nm, essential for natural self-regulation of cutaneous vitamin D₃ synthesis, preventing overproduction. We describe a possible risk of serious hypervitaminosis D based on our spectral analysis. We call for long-term animal studies to assess this risk, in which the reptiles under these lamps are exposed to species-appropriate UV index levels according to their Ferguson Zone allocation and serum levels of vitamin D₃ and 25(OH)D₃ monitored. Spectral modifications of the lamps to make the spectrum more like sunlight may be an essential way of mitigating this risk.