How does light pollution in the world affect our bodies?
Light pollution also causes some serious ecological problems, such as deaths in migratory birds and marine mammals.
A new map was created showing the areas most affected by artificial light pollution. The expert assesses the effects of this light on our mental and physical health.
A comprehensive map, called the Atlas of Artificial Light Brightness in the Night Sky, was published this month in Science Advances. The satellite atlas of the first atlas in 2001 was not as advanced as it is today. The new atlas therefore contains a much clearer image.
Atlas measures the “artificial sky glow an that is reflected in the atmosphere from the electric light on earth at night. This glow is caused by light pollution. And what is the extent of this pollution?
Italian scientist Fabio Falchi, head of the Atlas team, says that due to light pollution, one-third of people can no longer see the Milky Way galaxy, and the greatest loss is in industrialized areas. 60 percent of Europeans and 80 percent of North Americans cannot see the Milky Way galaxy at night.
But the problem with light pollution is not just about seeing stars. Falchi and his team say this pollution also has an impact on the environment and public health.
Where is the most intense light pollution?
The satellite makes measurements and walks on poles at an altitude of 800 km from the ground and takes pictures of Earth at night. The location and intensity of the light are determined. These measurements are then converted into color maps.
The brighter the sky on the map, the harder it is to see the stars at night. For example, you can see only a few stars in the night sky at Times Square in New York at best.
In the red spots on the map, it is not possible to see the night as it is due to light pollution.
Singapur Singapore is the most heavily polluted country. So much so that the eyes of the people here cannot use their ability to adapt to night vision, Fal says Falchi.
In major metropolises in Europe, America and Asia, the level of light on the streets prevents or delays our body from shifting to night-time as it should be.
Research on the effects of this is ongoing.
Electric light is widely used in developed countries. This causes a major change in the environment.
Light pollution isn't just a big city problem. For example, the light emitted from Las Vegas and Los Angeles also affects the Death Valley National Park.
Body clock
Like other living things on earth, people have a body clock, and this clock rhythmically regulates sleep and wake patterns, hunger, activity, hormone production, body temperature and many other psychological processes. This clock, which runs every 24 hours, depends on important signals such as daylight and darkness.
Perhaps the light pollution shown in the Atlas is not at a level that directly affects our body clock. This measurement is made by determining how much suppression of the hormone melatonin.
The light pollution measured by the Atlas is based on the reflection of the electric light in the atmosphere. These lights in our homes, workplaces and streets often have a disturbing effect on the body clock.
The shaping of the physiological structure according to the body clock was the result of billions of years of evolution. The introduction of electricity into people's lives has been in question since the end of the 19th century and the spread of electricity since the 20th century.
This time is a tiny drop in the ocean in terms of evolution. We do not know much about the effect of artificial light on the body clock.
Lately, doubts have arisen that disrupting the body clock causes problems such as sleep problems, obesity, diabetes, some cancers, and mood disorders. The most important factor that causes this is the electric light exposed at night.
What light?
Light pollution also causes some serious ecological problems, such as deaths in migratory birds and marine mammals.
The biological science of the technology that causes light pollution with the invention of the bulb is investigating what kind of lights are more harmful to the body clock at what times of day.
Accordingly, a bright blue light with high blue content during the day (fluorescent), dim light with low blue content at night is recommended. It is also recommended to avoid the bright blue screen tablets and smartphones in the evening.
The most important data to be revealed by these studies will be the application of the least harmful light in street lamps. In Los Angeles and New York, the fact that street lights have been completely transformed into a “white” LED light is highly criticized. This light contains the blue wavelength that most damages human beings in terms of body clock rhythm and night physiology.
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