Exposure to Artificial Light at Night Can Harm Your Health

 Humans evolved to the rhythms of the natural light-dark cycle of day and night. The spread of artificial lighting means most of us no longer experience truly dark nights. Research suggests that artificial light at night can negatively affect human health, increasing risks for obesity, depression, sleep disorders, diabetes, breast cancer and more.

Circadian Rhythm and Melatonin

Like most life on Earth, humans adhere to a circadian rhythm — our biological clock — a sleep-wake pattern governed by the day-night cycle. Artificial light at night can disrupt that cycle. Our bodies produce the hormone melatonin in response to circadian rhythm. Melatonin helps keep us healthy. It has antioxidant properties, induces sleep, boosts the immune system, lowers cholesterol, and helps the functioning of the thyroid, pancreas, ovaries, testes and adrenal glands. Nighttime exposure to artificial light suppresses melatonin production.

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• Use warm white sources (bulbs) with a color temperature of 3000 Kelvin or lower. Most lighting products provide this information on their package labeling.
• Light only where and when you need it. turn off lights when not in use.
• To save energy, don’t use excessive amounts of illumination.
• Use timers, dimmers and motions sensors whenever possible.
• Use only “full cut-off” or “fully shielded” lighting fixtures and direct it downward. That means no light above the 90-degree angle. Fully shielded lighting can be purchased or retrofitted.
• Use energy-efficient lighting sources and fixtures.

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