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In Ohio, it’s hard to get away from that orange glow in the sky. The glow stems from our cities and towns, restaurants, car dealerships, street lights, but invades our night sky so we can’t see the stars and constellations. According to scientists, almost a third of the world’s population cannot see the Milky Way, and in developed countries such as the United States, it’s around 80%! In big cities, such as New York, you may only be able to count around a dozen or so stars in the sky. We have to shut our curtains and drapes, so that we can rest peacefully in the darkness. Fortunately, some places are better than others. If you go out west to Wyoming or Idaho, where it is less populated, you can see the moon, stars, and planets in their mystery, grandness, and beauty…

Turns out the dark night sky and darkness in general, provides more to us than aesthetics alone. Darkness can influence our circadian rhythm, a natural cycle that governs hormones, body temperature, sleep and wake patterns, hunger, activity, and a vast array of physiological functions. The rhythm has evolved over millions of years. Artificial light has crept into existence since the late 19^th century, which seems like a long time, but that is only a fraction of evolutionary time. As such, artificial light, whether it be outdoor or indoor is thought to disrupt this natural circadian rhythm that has evolved over millions of years. Such disruptions might lead to health disorders such as poor sleep, cancer, obesity, diabetes, and mood problems.

What can we do for our health at night? Besides closing drapes and blinds to block out outdoor artificial lighting, we can turn off all sources of blue light, emitted from smart phones, screens, and TVs. Turn off all lights that really don’t need to be on at all. Taking an inventory of sources of artificial light will help. Try to use dim light with low color light indoors and outdoors (eg, low wattage incandescent, less than 3000K) beginning at dusk. Also, consider getting back to reading an old fashion paperback book rather than on a tablet.

Some organizations promote advocating for anti-light polluting community features and practices, such as street lamps that use specific types of lighting and project light towards the ground. Individuals can go to their city planners and government officials to advocate for night friendly features and practices.

Missing the Dark: Health Effects of Light Environ Health Perspect. 2009 Jan; 117(1): A20–A27. Pollution at https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2627884/

Stevens, Richard. (2016) What the Rising Light Pollution Means for Our Health. Editorial at BBC website at http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20160617-what-rising-light-pollution-means-for-our-health

Dark Sky Organization at https://www.darksky.org/

Author: Dan Remley, Associate Professor, Field Specialist Food, Nutrition, Wellness, OSU Extension

Reviewer: Amy Meehan, MPH, Healthy People Program Specialist, OSU Extension, Family and Consumer Sciences