Shedding new light: Future implications of LED systems in animal research facilities

The fluorescent-to-LED transition is not a simple swap—it is an infrastructure decision with direct consequences for animal physiology, behavioral research validity, and regulatory compliance. John Hasenau and Ira Rothman define the metrics that matter in research animal environments, including Melanopic Equivalent Daylight Illuminance, Color Fidelity, and Color Gamut, and present findings from a recent AALAS survey on LED adoption and its barriers across the field. Together, they equip design and facilities teams with a protocol-driven evaluation framework for selecting lighting systems that protect scientific integrity, support occupant welfare, and navigate a shifting manufacturing supply chain.