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Great, a new environmental problem to worry about
From "The Power of Darkness" in The Guardian:
"A number of health and environmental problems are due to a loss of darkness," says Dr David Crawford, executive director of the International Dark-Sky Association, a group that campaigns against light pollution. "And it will get worse as we creep -- or rush -- to a 24/7 world. All of life, all of it, has evolved with a day/night cycle -- the circadian rhythm. It's essential to good health. Many studies are now showing that those who go without a true day/night cycle are adversely impacting their immune systems, and that's not good..."
Once at work, overriding the craving for dark and sleep comes at a price. 'They activate the 'fight or flight' stress mechanism,' says Foster, 'and we know that stress in turn can suppress the immune system.' Bright lights, caffeine and nicotine artificially maintain stimulation. Perhaps unsurprisingly, studies show that nightshift workers are at increased risk of a range of health problems, from stress, constipation and stomach ulcers to depression, heart disease and cancer. For example, a 2001 study in Seattle, based on interviews with 800 women, found that females who worked the graveyard shift could face a 60 percent increase in the risk of breast cancer."
(Via Boing Boing)
Posted by carrie on 03/21/2005 | Permalink
Comments
This isn't a dark sky issue, it's a lack of sleep issue. All of these studies deal with messing with the sleep cycle. Light pollution isn't involved in any of those studies. That said, our society's devaluing of sleep is pathological.
Posted by: Mark | Mar 21, 2005 11:16:09 PM
After college, I drove around the U.S. in my truck and camped. I could never get my stupid lantern to work right, so I ended up on a schedule where I'd go to bed pretty much right when it got dark and wake up with the sunrise. And I've never felt better in my life.
Posted by: Rev. Tim | Mar 22, 2005 9:39:50 AM
