A course developed for the AIA CES program demonstrating the problems presented with electric light along with how new lighting technologies can be modified to promote better health.

1. 40107568
LIGHT & HEALTH
LSCES113
SPEAKER NAME/S
DATE

2. Credit(s) earned on completion of this
course will be reported to AIA CES for AIA
members. Certificates of Completion for
both AIA members and non-AIA
members are available upon request.
This course is registered with AIA CES for
continuing professional education. As
such, it does not include content that
may be deemed or construed to be an
approval or endorsement by the AIA of
any material of construction or any
method or manner of
handling, using, distributing, or dealing in
any material or product.
___________________________________________
Questions related to specific materials, methods, and
services will be addressed at the conclusion of this
presentation.

3. Copyright Materials
This presentation is protected by US and International Copyright laws.
Reproduction, distribution, display and use of the presentation without written
permission of the speaker is prohibited.
© Lighting Science Group Corporation 2013

4. Course
Description
While human biology has evolved with
the natural light of the sun, in the last
century we have introduced an electric
lighting system for which there was no
evolutionary precedence. This course will
discuss the problems presented with
electric light along with how new lighting
technologies can be modified within
indoor environments to promote health.

5. Learning
Objectives
At the end of the this course, participants will be able to:
1. Understand the role that light plays in determining healthy, living environments
2. Learn how the brain processes light essential for the circadian rhythm
3. Understand the root causes of problems developed from electric lighting to the
body
4. Describe the method in which lighting can be altered in living environments to
promote healthy indoor environments.

6. THE IMPORTANCE OF
LIGHT FOR HEALTH
Human Physical Health, Metabolism &
Behavior are all aligned by the natural
cycle of the sun.

7. Impact of Light on
the Body
Due to evolution, the cycle of the sun has enabled the body’s:
• Sleep – Wake Times
• Level of Alertness
• Performance
• Body temperature
• Hormone secretion

8. Source: The Brain Treatment Center
How does light affect
our body system?
• Our eyes interpret light for:
• Vision
• Circadian rhythm
control
• The eye sends light
wavelengths to the brain
signaling it to begin
producing hormones like
melatonin
• The circadian rhythm has
evolved with the rising and
setting of the sun
• Blue light is seen in the
morning & afternoon

9. Light is one of the strongest influencers
for health and wellness
Blue Light
(+ / -)
Day
Agility /
Performance
Psychological
State
Night
Sleep

10. LIVING UNDER ELECTRIC
LIGHT TODAY
The influence of electric lighting as well as
modern technologies has impacted the
natural circadian rhythm

11. Circadian Rhythm
Disruption
On average, Americans
spend 90% of their time
indoors.
Our bodies are unable to
take cues from the sun in
our current environment.
Source: The Environmental Protection
Agency

12. Circadian Rhythm
Disruption
Circadian Rhythms are
greatly disrupted by this
causing:
• Sleep Disorders
• Disease & Depression
• Melatonin Suppression
• Insomnia

13. U.S. Adults Suffering from
Misaligned Circadian Rhythms
U.S. Adults Rarely / Never Get a Good Night’s Sleep on Weekdays
By Age
13 - 18
19 - 29
30 - 45
46 - 64
46% 51% 43% 38%
Source: National Sleep Foundation, 2011
Sleep in America Poll

14. Treatment for Sufferers of
Misaligned Circadian Rhythms
• Sleep medications have become
among the most prescribed
pharmaceuticals in the U.S.
• Those taking prescribed sleeping
pills are
• At 3.5 times greater risk of
death with as little as <18 pills
per year
• Risk of death rises with more
pills per year
• 35% more likely to be diagnosed
with cancer
Source: “Hypnotics' association with
mortality or cancer” Dr. Daniel F Kripke,
Robert D Langer, Lawrence E Kline

15. HOW ELECTRIC LIGHTING
AFFECTS THE INDIVIDUAL
The absence of the correct wavelengths of
light result in raised health concerns.

16. Nightshift Workers
• Risk of accidents are 30%
higher
• Metabolic Disease is 2x as
common
• Increased appetite &
decreased energy
Source: Sleep, Health & Society, Francesco
Cappuccio, Michelle Miller, Steven Lockley

17. Office Workers & Students
• Excessive sleepiness
& decrease in
performance
• Irritable behaviors
• Weight gain,
possible diabetes
and other health
risks

18. Jet Lag Mitigation
• Imbalance of
hormones
• Imparity of
neurotransmitters
• Time Zone Disruptions

19. MAXIMIZING LED FOR
INDOOR ENVIRONMENTS
Proper health & energy savings can be
realized by aligning the spectrum of
natural daylight

20. The Benefits of utilizing
LED lighting technology
• LED lighting allows specific spectrums
to be utilized
• The promotion of LED lighting in indoor
environments can benefit the
occupants with targeted wavelengths
• Lighting quality is not sacrificed with
LED lighting since light intensity and
color temperatures can be matched
(even with varied wavelengths)

21. Improvement Opportunities
with LED Technology
Among the Individual
• Nutrient Density Increase
• Better Sleep
• Improved Alertness
• Boosted Immune System
• Better Mood
• Reduced Eye Strain

22. Improvement Opportunities
with LED Technology
Among the Building
• Energy Savings
• Quality Interior Lighting
improving illumination
• Avoids Overheating
• Decreased HVAC use

23. THE INTRODUCTION OF
BIOLOGICALLY CORRECTED
LED LIGHTING
Biologically corrected LED lighting uses
photobiology to optimize the light to work
with the body rather than just provide
illumination.

24. Biologically Corrected Light
and the Indoor Environment
Biologically corrected LED Lights that
removes blue melatonin suppressing
wavelengths do not have to sacrifice
quality of illumination or color.

25. Biologically Corrected Light
over Daylight Harvesting
During the winter months, shorter days
are experienced.
Biologically corrected LED lights are
enriched with specific wavelengths to
promote alertness in a shorter time & at a
lower intensity than bright light therapy.
This makes it ideal for SAD (Seasonal
Affective Disorder) & DSPD (Delayed Sleep
Phase Disorder).

26. Using Biologically Corrected
Lighting for alignment
Using higher levels of blue light in LED lighting
in conjunction with LED lighting with minimal
blue light will strengthen the body’s circadian
rhythm.
This benefits:
• The entrainment of circadian rhythms
• Trans-meridian travel & shift work
• Maintaining optimal health levels
• Metabolic benefit

27. Using Biologically Corrected
Lighting for Peak Performances
LED lights with greater blue light can also be
used to shift the body’s rhythms to either be
advanced or delayed by 2 hours.
This benefits:
• Phase shifting
• Emergency workers
• Acute Alertness
• Actions requiring peak
performance

28. The Importance of LEDs
in the Indoor Environment
• Increases in demand for electricity carry environmental consequences.
• Using LED technologies in this space is more efficient than traditional
lighting.
• Every decade the cost per lumen falls by a factor of 10 and the light
generated increases by a factor of 20.
• This is exponential compared to other light sources.
• LED lighting offers a distinct form of light therapy in natural way
• LED lighting promotes proper light spectrums to be provided to the body’s
needs for a balanced circadian rhythm and better health

29. This concludes The American Institute of Architects
Continuing Education Systems Course
1227 S. Patrick Dr.
Satellite Beach, FL. 32937
888-