Application of the new Australian standard for clinical lighting.

A new Australian Standard "AS 1765-1975 Artificial Lighting for Clinical Observation" has recently been published. This specifies the quality of light necessary to accurately assess a patient's colour. The physical principles and terminology used in modern lighting are discussed, and the experimental work on which the new Standard is based is outlined. The only readily available fluorescent tubes which conform to the Standard are the imported Philips "TL40W/37" and the more efficient locally made "White Deluxe" tubes.