Light, Lighting, and Health: Issues for Consideration

Abstract

Fundamental research into the effects of light on biology, behavior, and health is a rapidly-advancing field. As the lighting community learns more about these research results, interest in potential lighting applications is growing. This paper sets out issues for consideration in three areas: research areas in which knowledge is needed; topics that the lighting community should address to lay a strong foundation for application of this knowledge; and, ways in which the lighting community might facilitate the interdisciplinary work needed in order for basic research to lead to application. The integration of light and health knowledge into lighting practice is less a revolution than an evolution, as we continue to develop the general model of lighting quality that emerged in the mid-1990s.