A study at the University of California at Irvine has determined that safe and eco-friendly LED bulbs, commonly used in headlights, stoplights and holiday lights, contain lead, arsenic and other hazardous substances.

The toxic material could increase the risk of cancer, kidney disease and other illnesses, although the risks are more long-term than immediate; a single exposure to a broken bulb is unlikely to cause illness.

Research revealed that high-intensity red light bulbs contained the largest amount of arsenic, while low-intensity red bulbs contained eight times the amount of lead permitted by California state law. White bulbs had higher amounts of nickel, also a potentially hazardous substance.

Read the complete story at newsobserver.com