The links between artificial light and health

Our bodies are ‘hardwired’ to feel drowsy and sleepy when there is little light around you.  So by having good light levels tell your body its time to perk up and be alert.  But can the type of light noticeably change your health and mood? While different types of light affect your body in many ways, research has found fluorescent light in particular to be detrimental to health, being heavily linked to incidences of stress, headaches and eyestrain.  Even scarier, an oft referred to study performed by J.N Ott showed how mice kept under fluorescent light had a lifespan of less than half that of those that were not, with many of them developing cancer or liver problems.

Can fluorescent light have this affect on humans?

Possibly… however humans would have to be exposed to fluorescent light for an extraordinary period of time for it to cause any kind of serious health issue like it did with the mice.  However, regular and constant exposure to artificial fluorescent lighting can still have an affect on mood, well being and and energy levels.  Information on all of these studies and their results can be found here: http://www.hese-project.org/hese-uk/en/issues/cfl.php

What is the best light?

Unsurprisingly, the best light for health and well-being is the type we have evolved with – natural light.  But in the absence of natural light, LED lighting is widely regarded to be the next best thing, reducing the incidence of headaches, eyestrain and general eye discomfort often associated with artificial lighting.

Lighting can affect dementia…

As we age, we require more light to see clearly. This is because of changes to the eyes such as pupils becoming smaller, increased sensitivity to glare and reduced amount of light reaching the retina.  Dementia can cause damage to the visual system, which can lead to decreased sensitivity to the difference in colour, reduced ability to detect movement and colour and can also cause double vision.  (Source, https://www.alzheimers.org.uk) These problems can then lead to discomfort through headache and eyestrain, and can compromise the ability see properly.  However good quality light with minimal glare and reflections can reduce these symptoms. Commulite is committed to providing the very best low energy communal and emergency lighting systems.  For more information, call us now on 01277 600300 or email us.