Light at night not a ‘bright’ idea

Jerusalem Post ^ | 01/15/2012 | AVIGAYIL KADESH/NO CAMELS

[aimhigh]

. . . .
The scientists investigated the effect of different types of outdoor lighting on light pollution and Melatonin, in order to suggest practical steps for balancing productivity, energy expenditure and public health.

White LED light (which is actually blue light on the spectrum) is emitted at short wavelengths of between 440-500 nanometers. The study showed that this type of light suppresses the body’s production of Melatonin five times more than the orange-yellow light given off by traditional high-pressure sodium (HPS) bulbs.

[aimhigh]

Have a light?

[JDW11235]

Just this morning I referred to this problem on this thread about CFL’s.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2833134/posts

[cripplecreek]

I like it dark but I’m guessing I would feel differently if I lived in the city.

[dragnet2]

I’ve seen gaudy billboards so bright, it’s a danger to those driving....Some are so bright in rural areas, the light dome emitted by these in your face trashy 4 story high advertisements can be seen 15 miles away.

[USFRIENDINVICTORIA]

This is important stuff. The quality of the light from incandescent bulbs is superior to that from CFL bulbs. In normal times (i.e. where public policy wasn't driven by global warming hysteria); CFL bulbs would be banned, because of their inferior spectrum (to say nothing of the mercury they contain).

LEDs are a different story. The article is only half right on them. Yes, most ordinary white LEDs emit a blue light, within a narrow band of the spectrum. However, the article was comparing them to high-output outdoor lights. In those cases, a LED fixture can contain several different types of LEDs. It is possible to tune the light to just about any hue desired.

[Williams]

Any light at night is a problem, amd I’m sorry to hear LED lighting is worse.

There is a conection between vitamin D levels, melatonin, light at night, not enough sunlight and many cancers. We most likely have so many breast and colon cancers, among others, because we have electric lighting and reduced sun exposure.

[USFRIENDINVICTORIA]

I completely agree with you — those things are dangerous. Recently, giant-screen plasma (or perhaps LED) TV screens have been popping up around here, as outdoor advertising signs. They are bright, which is bad enough. They can also be highly distracting (the don't have static displays).

[roadcat]

I can see a possible connection with skin cancer and brain disorders. The other cancers, I can’t see a connection. My wife (a colon cancer survivor) thinks it’s due to all the EMF energy whizzing through the air (and us). She’s currently battling lymphoma. So many electronic gadgets and transmitters in this day and age, we don’t worry so much about LED output.

[BenLurkin]

“light pollution” my eye.

That’s what the comfy folks in safe suburbs refer to what we in ordinary neighborhoods consider necessary precautions.

[Williams]

Certainly I don’t know the answer and wish your wife well. Breast cancer (my wife is a survivor) is a cancer of developed countries, they don’t have it as we do in the Third World.

Theory is lighting at night reduces melatonin production. Night shift workers have higher breast and colon cancer rates.

Also I think Vitamin D is the one supplement that is not hype, vitamin D supplements do seem to reduce cancer rates.

My grandfather had lymphoma at an advanced age they were able to control it for many years, I hope your wife does well.

[1rudeboy]

Alternatively, it is folks pointing out to you that it is possible to have light without shining it into the sky (where you don’t need it).

[MrBambaLaMamba]

Ban the night time consumption of electricity!
Only the government is responsible enough to use electricity at night.
Those who truly have a need for electric power after dark should be required to prove their requirement and apply for a government electric power use permit.
Do it for the children! Please!

[roadcat]

My grandfather had lymphoma at an advanced age they were able to control it for many years, I hope your wife does well.

Thank you for your kind words. She is in partial remission. When a growth flares up, she goes into treatment. Been going on for five years now, after her surgery and treatment for the colon cancer. One thing that would give creedence to your theory about lighting causing cancer, is that my wife was a manager of a computer lab - a whole floor deep under a skyscraper with all artificial lighting, no windows. She spent long hours there every day for years starting at 6 a.m., and got little natural sunlight. However, she was also exposed to lots of EMF from the lab equipment. I just wish there was a cure.

[null and void]

The solution the left craves:

[americanophile]

"...the bright blessed day, the dark sacred night..."

There's a place for both.

[Ditter]

Some car headlights blind me when I am driving at night. I see them mostly on BMW’s and Mercedes and other expensive cars, I guess they are LED lights. The light is blue white and I can’t stand them!

[gitmo]

This explains why the North Koreans have such a long life expectancy. < /sarc>

[gitmo]

I didn’t follow your post. What do you consider an “ordinary neighborhood”.

[wattojawa]

I smell a rat, first of all natural day light has a color temperature of 6500k compared to 27ook for incandescent bulbs and even lower for sodium. SO we are adapted for the 6500K color temp.

[2111USMC]

I was in the lighting business for a short time.

Personally, I DETEST high pressure sodium lamps.

Ugly, energy gobbling, yellow light. I pity people that have to work in warehouses and factories with HPS lighting.