Skip to main navigation Skip to search Skip to main content

Recommendations for daytime, evening, and nighttime indoor light exposure to best support physiology, sleep, and wakefulness in healthy adults

  • Timothy M. Brown
  • , George C. Brainard
  • , Christian Cajochen
  • , Charles A. Czeisler
  • , John P. Hanifin
  • , Steven W. Lockley
  • , Robert J. Lucas
  • , Mirjam Münch
  • , John B. OHagan
  • , Stuart N. Peirson
  • , Luke L.A. Price
  • , Till Roenneberg
  • , Luc J.M. Schlangen
  • , Debra J. Skene
  • , Manuel Spitschan
  • , Céline Vetter
  • , Phyllis C. Zee
  • , Kenneth P. Wright
  • Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health
  • Jefferson Medical College
  • Psychiatric Hospital of the University of Basel (UPK)
  • Brigham and Women's Hospital
  • Harvard Medical School
  • University of Surrey
  • Massey University Wellington
  • Public Health England
  • University of Oxford Medical Sciences Division
  • University of Munich
  • Eindhoven University of Technology
  • Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
  • Max Planck Institute for Biological Cybernetics
  • University of Colorado Boulder
  • Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
  • Northwestern University

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

438 Scopus citations

Abstract

AU Ocular: Pleaseconfirmthatallheadinglevelsarerepresentedcorrectly light exposure has important influences on human health : and well-being through modulation of circadian rhythms and sleep, as well as neuroendocrine and cognitive functions. Prevailing patterns of light exposure do not optimally engage these actions for many individuals, but advances in our understanding of the underpinning mechanisms and emerging lighting technologies now present opportunities to adjust lighting to promote optimal physical and mental health and performance. A newly developed, international standard provides a SI-compliant way of quantifying the influence of light on the intrinsically photosensitive, melanopsin-expressing, retinal neurons that mediate these effects. The present report provides recommendations for lighting, based on an expert scientific consensus and expressed in an easily measured quantity (melanopic equivalent daylight illuminance (melaponic EDI)) defined within this standard. The recommendations are supported by detailed analysis of the sensitivity of human circadian, neuroendocrine, and alerting responses to ocular light and provide a straightforward framework to inform lighting design and practice.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere3001571
JournalPLoS Biology
Volume20
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 2022

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  1. SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
    SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Recommendations for daytime, evening, and nighttime indoor light exposure to best support physiology, sleep, and wakefulness in healthy adults'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this