Natural (Full-Spectrum) Light: Eco-friendly, Energy Efficient, and People Friendly

By: David-Uriel Ibarra, N. D., CHt.

Natural (Full-Spectrum) light is light that covers the electromagnetic spectrum from infrared through near-ultraviolet, or all wavelengths that are useful to plant or animal life; in particular, sunlight is considered full spectrum, even though the solar spectral distribution reaching Earth changes with time of day, latitude, and atmospheric conditions.

Whereas natural light is crucial to all life on earth, cool-white fluorescent lighting, also known simply as fluorescent lighting, can have detrimental effects on our health, suggests Magda Havas, a professor in environmental studies at Trent University. Frequent exposure can lead to elevated stress levels and other kinds of emotional instability. Fluorescent lighting affects mental health in part because, unlike natural lighting, it emits almost no radiation in the ultraviolet range of the electromagnetic spectrum. Exposure to blue and ultraviolet light helps the brains stabilize mood. Fluorescent lighting also emits microwaves, which, according to Havas, can have adverse health effects.

Natural Lighting

Natural light comes from the sun or the moon. About half of the sun's solar radiation lies in the visible range of the electromagnetic spectrum and the other half lies in the near-infrared and ultraviolet parts of the spectrum. Moonlight is obviously sunlight that strikes the moon and subsequently reaches earth.

Fluorescent Lighting

Fluorescent lighting emits light that is imbalanced in the electromagnetic spectrum. Virtually none of the radiation from fluorescent lighting lies in the ultraviolet range of the spectrum, and some lies in the microwave range between the very low-frequency long-wavelength radio waves and the infrared waves. Full-spectrum fluorescent lighting emulates sources of daylight with emissions in all parts of the visual spectrum and some in the infrared and ultraviolet ranges.

Health Effects of Natural vs. Fluorescent Lighting

Unabsorbed ultraviolet radiation can cause tissue damage, eye damage and promote skin cancer. But ultraviolet radiation also appear to have beneficial effects on well-being.  Dr. John Ott, director of the Environmental Health and Light Institute in Sarasota, Florida, and a pioneer in analyzing the effects of artificial light on health, reports that mice continually exposed to the full light spectrum have longer life spans than mice that grow up under fluorescent lighting with little radiation in the ultraviolet range of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Natural Light Investigations

Investigations into natural and artificial light have shown that light definitely affects the pituitary gland, as well as other areas in the midbrain and hypothalamic regions. In the early 1920's, William Rowan demonstrated that the varying seasonal lengths of the daylight was responsible for the migration of birds. In other studies conducted by Bochenek, Marburg and Gudden, it was shown that light may occasion reaction on the entire endocrine system of an animal via nerve impulses originating in the retina and reaching other areas of the brain by way of accessory optic pathways. Thus, artificial light, not being of the same quality as natural light, can play havoc with the endocrine system via the nerves.

A study was conducted involving some elderly men at a nursing home who spent most of their time indoors under the influence of unnatural lighting. They found that these men suffered a severely diminished ability to absorb calcium; yet when the lights were replaced with special bulbs designed to simulate sunlight, their calcium absorption was increased by 15% within a month. Even more disturbing research conducted by scientists has indicated that fluorescent lighting can cause genetic mutations, cancer and death in the cells of many life forms, including humans.

Aside from the facts concerning the direct negative effects of unnatural lighting; we must also consider their more indirect effect on our body rhythms. Their presence, by turning night into day, tend to imbalance the circadian rhythms—the regular cycles of rising and falling body temperature, variations in body chemicals, etc., that naturally occur approximately once every 24 hours. The result may be what three West German photobiologists have called "light stress."

Research on the Psychological Effects of Artificial Lighting

Researchers have studied the question of how lighting conditions affect mental stability for decades. In the 1940s, Luckiesh and Moss studied how fifth- and sixth-graders in well-lit and poorly lit classrooms performed on the New Stanford Achievement Test. Those in well-lit classrooms scored significantly higher than those in poorly lit classrooms. Since then, numerous researchers have studied the effects of fluorescent lighting. In a 2002 Guardian News article, Michaele Wynn-Jones investigated fluorescent lighting in prisons. Wynn-Jones concluded that fluorescent lighting is a likely cause of the headaches, depression and sleep disorders prisoners frequently experience.

Symptoms and Risks

According to researchers at the H.E.S.E project, the most common symptoms of having been exposed to too much fluorescent lighting and too little natural lighting are headaches, mood swings, irritability, insomnia and inappropriate behavior. Ott further notes that continuous exposure to fluorescent lighting can lead to a depletion of the brain chemical serotonin. Known as a mood stabilizer, serotonin helps to keep mood disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder and depression at bay. Depleting the natural resources of serotonin in the brain can thus have serious and lasting consequences for emotional stability.

Natural Light in Treating Seasonal Affective Disorder

In recent years, full-spectrum lighting has been used in the treatment of seasonal affective disorder (SAD) through the use of "light boxes" that mimic natural sunlight, which may not be available in some areas during the winter months.

Lightbox therapy, otherwise known as phototherapy, is a recognized modality for depression (such as SAD). It is also the primary treatment for circadian rhythm sleep disorders.

Prevention

The best way to prevent the detrimental effects of fluorescent lighting is to increase your exposure to natural lighting. According to Ott, full-spectrum fluorescent lighting has fewer detrimental health effects than cool-white fluorescent lighting. Full-spectrum fluorescent lighting emits some radiation waves in the ultraviolet range of the electromagnetic spectrum. But even full-spectrum fluorescent lighting emits some microwave radiation.

Global Environmental Benefits

The use of natural light bulb and/or tubes has been shown in independent studies to reduce the use of energy consumption, which will realize over 300 million dollars in energy savings according to government calculations. Reduced energy consumption also means reduced greenhouse gas emissions helping our environment from a global perspective. The use of natural light will help in reducing over 3 billion pounds of CO2 emissions from being pumped into the atmosphere by electric plants. That's the air pollution reduction equivalent of taking over 314 thousand cars off the road. Simply changing from standard incandescent lighting to a natural lighting saves energy and helps to reduce carbon dioxide emissions--a major component of the gases most experts believe is responsible for global warming.

Green for the Environment and People Friendly As Well

One example of a natural light bulb/tube is the OttLite, created by Dr. Ott. The output of a 32 watt OttLite tube is roughly equivalent to that of a 150 watt incandescent bulb. So, they use about ¼ the amount of energy for the same amount of light. However, it's not just about energy-savings, it's also about the quality of the light.

Bring True Colors Indoors

The use of natural light, like the OttLite, can reduce the ailments stated above, which translates to a happier work environment, increased productivity, increased focus, and reduced time-off from work. The use of natural light bulbs/tubes also has other benefits from a personal health standpoint.

• Reading is easier
• Colors are vibrant
• Details are clear
• Low heat
• Glare reduction
• Energy efficiency

If you choose to help the Earth while still being engaged in your health and the health of your loved ones, a simple method to begin is just to change your lights to natural (full-spectrum) lights.  You will be doing the world and all who live on her a great service.