Скачать или смотреть ILA 2011 - Prof. Abraham Haim - A Biological Definition for Light Pollution - why do we need it?

Presentation given by Prof. Abraham Haim at the International Light Association 2011 Conference, in Sainte-Adèle, Canada on October 5th, 2011.

Definitions for light pollution are mainly given by astronomers as for example "Wasted light from city and outdoor lights that makes it hard to see the stars at night". To date we have no biological definition for light pollution. The relationship between light at night (LAN) and breast cancer (BC) were first established on shift-workers. Results of studies from the last years suggest that, the increase in light pollution worldwide could be the environmental change that is responsible for the increase in BC incidences. Therefore, if LAN is a source of pollution it is necessary to use biological responses in our definition. Light has two main properties, intensity and wave length while LAN in addition will be characterized by additional variables as: the duration of exposure and exposure frequency. From the results of several studies it is clear that LAN can block or at least decrease pineal melatonin production and secretion - what does it have to do with BC? An attempt is made to find easily determined biological markers that can be indicators of exposure to light pollution.