Risk assessment to the vision organ of IR LEDs radiation from a video camera in a driver behavior monitoring system

Introduction. The work of drivers is associated with the impact of a complex of unfavorable factors of the industrial environment and high visual stress, which leads to fatigue, decreased concentration of attention and an increased risk of traffic accidents. Intelligent monitoring systems for drivers behavior make it possible to detect changes in psychoemotional state and warn of dangerous behavior in real time. Equipping the video cameras of these systems with IR LEDs makes it possible to monitor the driver in low-light conditions during the dark period of the day. The scientific data obtained so far make it possible, under certain conditions, to consider IR radiation as a risk factor for adverse effects on the organ of vision, which requires an additional assessment of its safety.

The study aims to assess the potential danger of near–infrared radiation from the LED backlight of the video camera of the driver's behavior monitoring system for the organ of vision during its prolonged regular operation.

Materials and methods. The researchers have examined the workplaces of drivers in 20 dump trucks equipped with IR‑illuminated video cameras. The authors have performed 100 measurements of energy illumination from the IR LEDs of the video camera and thermal irradiation from other sources of IR radiation. The hygienic assessment was carried out in accordance with SanPiN 1.2.3685-21. The experts have analyzed the results of an in-depth ophthalmological examination of 20 drivers (age 41.6±5.6 years, experience 8.6±5.7 years, duration of work with monitoring systems 3.1±1.3 years), depending on age, work experience and duration of operation of monitoring systems. Statistical data processing was performed in IBM SPSS Statistics 27.

Results. Energetic illumination of IR radiation (940 nm) at the driver's eye level (0.5–0.7 m) was 1.0–3.9 W/m², which is significantly lower than the permissible level (100 W/m²). According to ophthalmological examination, 30% had dry eye syndrome, 40% had accommodation and refractive disorders, and 30% had no pathology. The relationship of ophthalmological disorders with the duration of work with the monitoring system and age has not been established (p>0.05), while drivers with more than 10 years of experience had violations more often (χ²=8,889; p=0.012).

Limitations. The study is limited by the number of models of driver behavior monitoring systems and the number of employees surveyed.

Conclusion. The conducted studies did not reveal the potential danger of the adverse effect of near-infrared radiation from the LEDs of video cameras of the driver behavior monitoring systems of the LA-Aline and LA-LineC models studied on the organ of vision. Experience as a driver is a significant risk factor for developing dry eye syndrome and disorders of accommodation and refraction, and therefore experts recommend conducting an in-depth ophthalmological examination of drivers as part of periodic medical examinations.

Ethics. This study did not require the conclusion of the Ethics committee.

Contributions:
Pokhodzey L.V. — research concept and design, data collection and processing, text writing, editing;
Perov S.Yu. — research concept and design, text writing, editing;
Eremeeva A.G. — data processing, text writing, editing.

Funding. The study had no funding.

Conflict of interest. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Received: 03.04.2026 / Accepted: 04.05.2026 / Published: 02.06.2026

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