Cognitive Learning (opportunity to maximize everybody’s potential) Multiple studies show enhanced cognitive learning in children outdoors in sunlight versus indoors. Other studies show the benefit of green spaces and forests on anxiety and mood. Optically, it has been shown that the NIR portion of sunlight is guided deep into the cerebral cortex and that virtually all cells in a young child “see” at least a portion of the solar spectrum. From an optical/ redox biology perspective, eliminating NIR from our classrooms may be disproportionately harmful to young Black children. Expansion of green spaces in urban spaces, replacement of UV/NIR blocking windows, school schedule, reduced exposure to visible-only LED light sources, and increased outdoor activity all need to be considered. Just a one hour walk in nature (90% NIR) has been shown to lower hypertension, improve blood sugars, elevate mood, and reduce anxiety.
Light Pollution
Figure 4: UV, Visible, NIR and IR solar spectrums and just a few of their physiological and psychological effects.
Despite DOE intentions, LEDs have led to excessive use of artificial lighting at night, especially in Black neighborhoods. Nadybal explains that these disparities in increased ambient light exposure are likely due to racial/ethnic differences rather than geographical differences.5 In general, Blacks have lived for decades trying to sleep and work in DL environments that have exposed them to high levels of light pollution at night and insufficient light levels by day with associated negative consequences. Understanding the impact longterm nocturnal light exposure has had on Black communities may lead to reduced diabetes, hypertension, stroke, and obesity.6
Conclusion Dysregulated Light (DL) has been shown to be a factor in a wide range of diseases ranging from myopia to hypertension to dementia. Chronic DL has both physiological and psychological effects experienced for generations within the Black community. Our failure to quantify the impact of DL and assign value to sunlight and darkness has resulted in modern living conditions that are cytostatic for everyone. ROS density models appear to provide a useful metric to compare various DL conditions across ethnic groups and sources. Ironically, the remedies to DL could reduce global energy consumption by providing fewer higher quality lights only where and when they are needed and tailored to the specific health requirements of the individual.
Editor’s Note: In the article, the author uses the term Black/African American and later uses the term Black. Many studies should refer to Black, but not African American, because such studies often include Blacks who were not necessarily born in America.
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designing lighting