Greta Jimenez
Light pollution is the presence of unwanted, excessive, or inappropriate artificial lighting. It is a major side effect of urbanization, with 83% of people living under light-polluted skies. While light pollution is most commonly associated with outdoor environments, it also refers to artificial light indoors. The adverse health effects of light pollution are well-documented, with research suggesting that exposure to artificial light at night can negatively impact human health, increasing the risk of obesity, depression, sleep disorders, and diabetes. The impact of light pollution on wildlife is also significant, with studies blaming light pollution for the decline in populations of North American moths and certain migratory songbirds.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | The presence of any unwanted, inappropriate, or excessive artificial lighting |
| Sources | Streetlights, buildings, advertising, car parks, offices, factories, illuminated sporting venues, boats, fireworks, satellites |
| Effects | Sleep deprivation, fatigue, headaches, stress, anxiety, cancer, obesity, depression, diabetes, heart disease, attention deficit disorder, hypertension, insomnia, delayed sleep-phase syndrome |
| Impact on wildlife | Disrupts ecosystems, alters feeding behaviour, reduces moth caterpillar abundance, affects migration, reproduction, hunting, and feeding, causes bird deaths, disorients sea turtles and hatchlings |
| Measurement | Night time satellite imagery, ground-based networks of photometers, Sky Quality Meter (SQM) |
| Solutions | Shielding lights to reduce glare, dimming lights, turning off lights, smarter use of light, lighting ordinances, Dark Sky movement |
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What You'll Learn
Light pollution's impact on human health
Light pollution is the human-made alteration of outdoor light levels from those occurring naturally. It is the presence of any unwanted, inappropriate, or excessive artificial lighting. Light pollution competes with starlight in the night sky, interferes with astronomical observatories, disrupts ecosystems, and has adverse health effects on both humans and wildlife.
Light pollution has been shown to negatively affect human health in multiple ways. Firstly, it can increase the risk of obesity. A study found that brighter residential nighttime lighting is associated with reduced sleep times, dissatisfaction with sleep quality, excessive sleepiness, impaired daytime functioning, and obesity.
Secondly, light pollution can contribute to sleep disorders. The American Medical Association has expressed concern about exposure to blue light from outdoor lighting, as it can suppress melatonin production and disrupt sleep. The light from electronic devices and indoor lighting can also impact sleep, typically more so than outdoor lighting, due to higher light levels and longer exposure.
Thirdly, light pollution may be linked to an increased risk of certain types of cancer, such as breast cancer. Studies have found a correlation between outdoor artificial light at night and breast cancer, even when controlling for other factors. Women living in brightly lit areas had a significantly higher risk of developing breast cancer compared to those in less illuminated neighbourhoods.
Additionally, light pollution can have mental health implications, increasing the risk of depression. It can also negatively impact wildlife, affecting the feeding behaviour of bats and contributing to the decline of moth populations in North America.
Overall, light pollution has been associated with a range of adverse health effects, and its impact on human health is an area of ongoing research.
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The economic cost of indoor light pollution
Light pollution, a phenomenon resulting from unwanted, excessive, or inappropriate artificial lighting, has been estimated to affect 83% of the world's population. While the environmental and health effects of light pollution are well documented, the economic costs are equally significant.
In addition to the direct costs of wasted lighting, indoor light pollution also has indirect economic impacts. The health effects of artificial light exposure, such as sleep disorders, obesity, and depression, can result in increased healthcare costs for individuals and society. Studies have shown a correlation between exposure to artificial light at night and health issues like breast cancer, with women living in brightly lit areas having a 73% higher risk of developing the disease. The economic burden of these light pollution-related health issues can be substantial, including medical expenses, lost productivity, and reduced quality of life.
Furthermore, light pollution can have economic consequences for specific industries and activities. For example, astronomers and stargazers face challenges due to reduced visibility of the night sky, impacting research and recreational activities. Additionally, certain wildlife populations, such as migratory birds and sea turtles, are affected by disorientation and habitat disruption caused by artificial light. This can lead to economic costs associated with conservation efforts and the loss of ecological services provided by these species.
The economic costs of indoor light pollution are far-reaching and interconnected. By addressing this issue through improved lighting design, energy conservation, and health awareness, significant economic and environmental benefits can be achieved. Recognizing the impact of indoor light pollution is a crucial step towards mitigating these costs and creating a more sustainable future.
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Sources of indoor light pollution
Light pollution is caused by the inefficient or unnecessary use of artificial light. It is a major side effect of urbanisation and industrial civilisation, and its sources include building exterior and interior lighting, advertising, outdoor area lighting (such as car parks), offices, factories, streetlights, and illuminated sporting venues.
Indoor light pollution, specifically, can be caused by a variety of sources, including:
- Electronic devices: The light from electronic devices such as computers, phones, and tablets can contribute to indoor light pollution. Blue light from these devices can particularly impact human health, affecting sleep and potentially increasing the risk of health issues like obesity and depression.
- Interior lighting: Excessive or inappropriate interior lighting can cause indoor light pollution. This can include the use of bright lights, such as fluorescent lighting, or lighting that is left on continuously.
- Exterior lighting: While exterior lighting primarily contributes to outdoor light pollution, it can also impact indoor spaces. Light from streetlights, parking lot lights, or illuminated signs can enter through windows, affecting the indoor lighting environment.
- Inadequate shielding: When light fixtures are not properly shielded, light can escape upwards and sideways, contributing to both indoor and outdoor light pollution. This unfocused light can enter homes and affect the indoor lighting levels.
- Lighting design: Poor lighting design can contribute to indoor light pollution. This includes the use of excessive lighting in spaces, such as using multiple light sources when fewer would suffice, or positioning lights in a way that causes glare or excessive brightness.
It is important to note that the sources of indoor light pollution can vary depending on the specific context and space being considered. Additionally, the impact of these sources may be influenced by factors such as the duration of exposure, the intensity of the light, and individual sensitivity. Addressing indoor light pollution can involve simple steps such as using appropriate light bulbs, adjusting light fixtures, and reducing unnecessary lighting.
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How indoor light pollution affects wildlife
Light pollution is the human-made alteration of outdoor light levels from those occurring naturally. It has been a problem for hundreds, even thousands of years, but only in the past century, with the advent and spread of electricity, has the issue of artificial night lighting become so pervasive.
The Earth's predictable rhythm of day and night is encoded in the DNA of all plants and animals. Humans have radically disrupted this cycle by lighting up the night sky with artificial lights. This has had a profound effect on wildlife, disrupting biological rhythms and interfering with the behaviour of nocturnal animals.
Indoor light pollution, where light spills out from windows, can be detrimental to wildlife. Even a momentary flash of headlights or indoor light can cause fireflies to cease or alter their mating flashes, and their bioluminescent signals decrease or disappear in areas lit by outdoor lamps or indoor light.
Light pollution also affects migratory birds, which use the moon and stars for navigation during their bi-annual migrations. When they fly through brightly lit areas, they become disoriented, and may even collide with over-lit structures. Nocturnal birds are more affected than diurnal birds, which are active during the day and sleep at night.
Artificial light can also act as a lure, attracting animals towards it. This can result in them becoming trapped, exhausted, or easy prey for predators. Newly hatched sea turtles, for example, are attracted to light and crawl away from the sea towards artificial lights. This makes them vulnerable to terrestrial predators and birds.
To reduce indoor light pollution, shields or shades can be used on indoor lights, and drapes or blinds can be closed to block light from spilling out.
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Solutions to indoor light pollution
Light pollution is the presence of unwanted, inappropriate, or excessive artificial lighting, and it has multiple adverse consequences. It competes with starlight in the night sky, interferes with astronomical observatories, disrupts ecosystems, and has adverse health effects.
- Use window shades: After sunset, use window shades to prevent indoor light from escaping your house and contributing to outdoor light pollution.
- Turn off unnecessary lights: Get into the habit of turning off unnecessary indoor lights, especially in empty office buildings at night. This will help reduce overall light pollution and lower your energy costs.
- Use dimmers and low-lighting: Install dimmers in every room to use less light overall. Using low-lighting or ambient lighting can also help reduce light pollution and is also good for your eyes.
- Reduce the use of electronic devices: The bright lights from electronic devices like phones, laptops, and tablets contribute to light pollution. Reducing the use of these devices in the evening and switching to a dimmer night setting can help reduce light pollution.
- Avoid blue light: Blue light at night can negatively impact human health and worsen sky glow. Avoid using electronic devices with blue light or using blue lights outdoors.
- Use covered bulbs: Use covered light bulbs that face downwards to reduce the amount of light pollution emitted.
- Use LED lights: Switching to LED lights can help reduce light pollution and energy use without compromising visibility.
- Use natural light sources: During festivities and celebrations, opt for environmentally friendly candles instead of decorative lighting to conserve energy and reduce light pollution.
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Frequently asked questions
Light pollution is the presence of any unwanted, inappropriate, or excessive artificial lighting. It is a form of waste energy that can cause adverse effects and degrade environmental quality.
Sources of indoor light pollution include computer screens, TVs, and other electronic displays that emit abundant blue light. The light inside homes or indoor spaces generally has a greater impact on health than outdoor lighting because light levels are higher and people are exposed for longer.
Exposure to artificial light at night can negatively affect human health. It has been linked to an increased risk of obesity, depression, sleep disorders, and diabetes. It can also suppress melatonin production, leading to sleep deprivation, fatigue, and other health issues. Recent studies indicate a potential correlation between reduced melatonin levels and cancer.
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