By Lily Thomas '25
We live in a world that is becoming increasingly dependent on light. This light dependency has led to health issues that now affect more than 80% of the planet and 99% of the American population.¹
Unsurprisingly, the very same light pollution impacting the lives of populations around the world is also present within the Choate community, impacting student health and their daily activities.
At an institution like Choate, sleep is extremely valuable, and light pollution is one out of the many reasons preventing students from getting a good night’s sleep. The human body naturally produces a hormone called melatonin, which is only released in the absence of light. Blue lights, in particular, have been proven to reduce melatonin levels, yet they are continually used for many reasons, such as for LED strips or electronic devices. Light pollution occurs, then, because both LEDs and electronics are extremely common in the everyday life of teens, where the side effects of light pollution have a heightened severity for adolescents and teens that are still developing. Consequently, when students are up late using electronics for homework and with LED lights on, the release of melatonin is withheld until it is dark, resulting in sleep deprivation, fatigue, headaches, stress, and even anxiety.
Although the effects of light pollution might not be a priority compared to the extra studying that can be accomplished, it can have long-term impacts on human health. In fact, according to the National Library of Medicine, reduction in melatonin levels in the body and over-exposure to artificial light is linked to cancer.² To combat this, students should start work during the daytime to avoid inhibition of melatonin production. Schools can also mitigate the negative impacts of light pollution by introducing more breaks during the day so that students will have the time to complete their work without risking their physical and mental health. Ideally, students should try studying while there is still daylight, or work in open areas that receive sufficient natural light. This will, in turn, help reduce artificial light use and its consequent health effects. So, the next time you find yourself staying up late to finish homework, you might consider studying earlier in the day for future assignments to avoid the harmful effects of reduced melatonin levels.
National Geographic Society. (2022, July 15). Light pollution. Light Pollution.https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/light-pollution/
Light pollution. (n.d.). Globe at Night.https://globeatnight.org/light-pollution/
Spivey, A. (2010, December). Light pollution: Light at Night and Breast Cancer Risk Worldwide. National Library of Medicine.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3002207/#:~:text=Several%20studies%20over%20the%20last,that%20require%20hormones%20to%20grow.
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