Non-Visual Effects of Light: How to Use Light to Promote Circadian Entrainment and Elicit Alertness

Details

• Personal Author:
  Figueiro MG ; Nagare R ; Price LLA
• Description:
  In addition to stimulating the visual system, light incident on the retina stimulates other biological functions, also referred to as non-visual responses. Among the most notable biological functions are human circadian rhythms, which are bodily rhythms that, in constant darkness, oscillate with a period close to, but typically slightly longer than 24 hours. Twenty-four-hour light-dark patterns incident on the retina are the major synchronizer of circadian rhythms to the local time on Earth. Entrainment of circadian rhythms has been implicated in health and well-being. Light can also elicit an acute alerting effect on people, similar to a "cup of coffee." This review summarizes the literature on how light affects entrainment and alertness and how it can be used to achieve these aims. [Description provided by NIOSH]
• Subjects:
  Circadian Rhythm Electricity Eye Lighting Occupational Health Safety Sense Organs
• Keywords:
  Biological Effects Biological Function Biological Rhythms Circadian Rhythms Electrical Properties Eyesight Health Effects Lighting Systems Physiological Response Visual Perception
• ISSN:
  1477-1535
• Document Type:
  Text
• Funding:
  Grant
• Genre:
  Journal Article
• Place as Subject:
  New York ; OSHA Region 2
• CIO:
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
• Topic:
  Workplace Safety & Health
• Location:
  North America
• Pages in Document:
  38-62
• Volume:
  50
• Issue:
  1
• NIOSHTIC Number:
  nn:20053727
• Citation:
  Light Res Technol 2018 Jan; 50(1):38-62
• Contact Point Address:
  Mariana Figueiro, Lighting Research Center, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, 21 Union Street, Troy, NY 12180-3352, USA
• Email:
  figuem@rpi.edu
• Federal Fiscal Year:
  2018
• NORA Priority Area:
  Healthcare and Social Assistance ; Transportation, Warehousing and Utilities
• Performing Organization:
  Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, New York
• Peer Reviewed:
  True
• Start Date:
  20150901
• Source Full Name:
  Lighting Research & Technology
• End Date:
  20190831
• Collection(s):
  National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
• Main Document Checksum:
  urn:sha-512:b81c123d0c4a67f788ff9e98f5f08e6bb54805bea2770d417ff7e003af21a2a3217195246e796a19b5489c6f1908ef0504f03c8dc8ba5004d7956d29454a0739
• Download URL:
  https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/216438/cdc_216438_DS1.pdf
• File Type:
  [PDF - 686.60 KB ]