Beneficial Lighting Therapies
Enlightened Schools: “Smart Lights = Smart Kids” Studies show that lighting in schools can dramatically affect children’s health and their ability to learn. People spend over 90% of their time indoors with children spending up to 40 hours per week in school buildings. Much of this time is spent under fluorescent lighting that emits hazardous radiation and radio frequency waves. Sunlight is the most important source of light and energy for children… from cradle to grave! Studies conducted on schools have reported that the use of “daylight” or “full-spectrum lighting” is associated with healthier students and enhanced productivity. New light emitting diode (LED) technology has inspired an innovative concept for state-of-the-art, full-spectrum lighting technology that will improve student performance & wellness and help schools go green.
According to Dr. Jacob Liberman, author of “LIGHT: Medicine of the Future” and a pioneer in the therapeutic use of light and color and their relationship to human consciousness — “When we speak about the quality of light and its importance to the well being of all living organisms, the contributions of Dr. John Ott stand out above those of other researchers in the field.” Studies conducted on schools have reported that the use of “daylight” or “full-spectrum lighting” is associated with healthier students.
Full-Spectrum LED vs. Fluorescent Lighting
Lighting research has contributed much to our understanding of the biological benefits of light on human health and behavior. Just Google “light and health” or “full-spectrum light” and the results will overwhelm as well as often reference Dr. John Ott* …the father of full-spectrum light. The following referenced researchers, for this very brief presentation, represent a small collection from the many light researchers that have observed biological benefits in full-spectrum lighted and ‘Daylighting’ classrooms.
In 1980, Dr. Fritz Hollowich, Professor Emeritus, Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Munster, conducted a study comparing the effects of sitting under strong artificial cool-white (non-full spectrum) illumination versus the effects of sitting under strong artificial illumination that simulates sunlight (full-spectrum). Using changes in the endocrine system to evaluate these effects, he found stress like levels of ACTH and cortisol (the stress hormones) in individuals in sitting under the cool-white tubes.