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Effects of artificial light at night on human health: A literature review of observational and experimental studies applied to exposure assessment
How Artificial Light at Night May Affect Human Health: A Review of Studies Measuring Exposure
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Abstract
A total of 85 articles were reviewed, revealing that exposure to artificial light at night (ALAN) is associated with various negative health effects.
- Several observational studies indicate that outdoor ALAN levels are a risk factor for breast cancer.
- Indoor light intensity and individual lighting habits may also be relevant to the risk of breast cancer.
- Exposure to artificial bright light at night suppresses melatonin secretion and increases sleep onset latency.
- Chronic exposure to ALAN may lead to circadian misalignment, negatively affecting psychological, cardiovascular, and metabolic functions.
- ALAN exposure causes circadian phase disruption, which increases with longer durations and later evening exposure.
- Shorter wavelengths of light may preferentially disturb melatonin secretion and cause circadian phase shifts, even at low brightness.
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