About Lighting and health
The definition of light should be expanded to include optical radiation entering the eye that affects the circadian system. Recent research has found the following:
· Light can alleviate seasonal depression
· Light can increase the length and quality of sleep
· Light can consolidate sleep/activity patterns in Alzheimer’s Disease patients
· Light can improve performance of night-shift workers
· Light can improve weight gain in premature infants
· Light activation of the circadian system is affected by a newly discovered photoreceptive mechanism in the eye
· Light regulates melatonin, which has been shown to reduce breast cancer growth
· Light has a direct impact on cortical brain activity
These studies represent only part of the important scientific findings that raise questions about the impact of the lighting used in offices, schools, and homes on our health.