The Effect of Blue Light on Humans

According to new research conducted by the Australian Cooperative Research Centre for Alertness, Safety and Productivity (Alertness CRC), blue light may be more important than previously thought. It has been found that blue light has a major impact on the biological clock and sleep patterns.Neuroscientist and circadian rhythm expert Associate Professor Sean Cain says the research shows that the amount of blue light in a light source has significant effects on our biological clocks: “High doses of light at night can be harmful for the body clock and, over time, can lead to disturbed sleep that affects people’s health and mood.” He adds, “This is partly why long-term shift workers experience health problems. At the same time, people, especially those in safety‑critical roles, need to stay alert. That’s why it becomes important for them to be exposed to more blue light.”This project also aims to find new ways to “reset circadian rhythms” by implementing a dynamic solution that can improve people’s sleep quality, alertness and productivity. The circadian rhythm is the rhythm our body follows within the day–night cycle. This rhythm not only controls the timing of many physiological processes, but also determines sleep and eating patterns, brain activity, hormone production and cell regeneration.Alertness CRC partner organization The Sleep Health Foundation stated that in 2016–17, the cost of insufficient sleep to the Australian economy was $66.3 billion, of which $26.2 billion was due to productivity loss and $40.1 billion was due to negative health impacts.As a result of the research, it may be possible to maximize human health and comfort with a lighting product whose blue light can be programmed. For this reason, blue light should be used regularly for people who work at night and for the purpose of maintaining a healthy sleep pattern.Source: CRC for Alertness, Safety and Productivity