Severity of light pollution and its multifaceted impact: A mini review on the dark side of light

TL;DR

This review highlights the negative health and ecological impacts of excessive artificial light at night, emphasizing the need for better understanding and regulation of light pollution in urban environments.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of how uncontrolled night-light exposure affects human health and ecological systems, emphasizing the importance of understanding light's intensity and timing.

Findings

Light pollution disrupts melatonin secretion and circadian rhythms.

Prolonged exposure increases risks of insomnia, depression, and cancer.

Urban populations are more affected by light pollution.

Abstract

There is a surging concern regarding the adverse effects of light pollution on human well-being. This manuscript aims to emphasise the deleterious effects of uncontrolled night-light exposure on the health and mood of individuals residing in a highly populated elite metropolitan society compared to those residing in remote villagesin a scattered manner. A comprehensive study has been undertaken on the influence of unnecessary and excessive illumination of light during late-night hours on individuals' day-to-day lives. Prolonged exposure to unwanted intense artificial lighting disrupts the secretion of melatonin, interferes with the circadian rhythm, and unusual sleep patterns. Such disturbances can lead to significant health issues, including insomnia, depression, cardiovascular diseases, as well as an increased risk of breast and prostate cancer. Findings emphasize the need for a more holistic understanding of how artificial light, in intensity and periodicity, affects the physical and mental health of humans and the ecological system in entirety, specifically in urban settings.