Light + Health

By Bill Chan, President, LiteController Inc. Melanopic Equivalent Daylight Illuminance (M-EDI) is widely used to assess circadian-effective lighting, but is it truly optimized for human biological responses? What is M-EDI? Melanopic Equivalent Daylight Illuminance (M-EDI) is a metric used to evaluate how light impacts our circadian rhythms, based on the sensitivity of Melanopsin, a photopigment [...]

A new study was published last month, Non-Image-Forming Effects of Daytime Electric Light Exposure in Humans: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses of Physiological, Cognitive, and Subjective Outcomes, in the IES journal Leukos. Light exerts numerous nonvisual or non-image-forming, effects – such as its impact on melatonin suppression, circadian phase-shifts, sleep quality, and alertness. While research [...]

By Bill Chan, President at LiteController Inc. We know how nighttime light affects Melatonin production – but do we truly understand how light exposure during the day influences our circadian system?  Current circadian lighting metrics do not fully capture the biological effects or circadian entrainment of daytime light exposure. The two circadian lighting metrics (CS [...]

  The research conducted by the University of Pittsburgh and UPMC has revealed groundbreaking findings on the potential of red light therapy to reduce blood clot formation. This discovery has significant implications for the prevention and treatment of life-threatening conditions such as heart attacks and strokes. Key findings include: Clot Reduction in Mice Mice exposed [...]

SunLED Life Science is set to unveil SunBooster, an innovative Near-Infrared (NIR) light therapy device, at CES 2025. This product aims to address the health concerns associated with prolonged indoor living, by bringing benefits of natural sunlight to indoor environments. Key Features of SunBooster SunBooster is designed to attach easily to computer monitors and laptops, [...]

  The DOE’s new CALiPER testing report on upper-room Germicidal Ultraviolet (GUV) luminaires highlights significant advancements and persistent challenges in this technology. Upper-room GUV, recommended by both ASHRAE and the CDC, has shown promise in delivering substantial energy savings while meeting ASHRAE Standard 241 and CDC ventilation targets without requiring major HVAC upgrades. Key findings [...]

  A new study investigates the effects of near-infrared radiation (NIR) in ambient indoor lighting on human cognitive performance, emotional state, and cardiovascular health. The research addresses the absence of NIR in modern electric lighting systems and energy-efficient windows, despite its biological activity and therapeutic applications. In a preregistered within-subjects double-blind experiment, 151 university students [...]

  The current knowledge about the impact of light on myopia development is extensive: Light Intensity and Outdoor Exposure Outdoor light exposure has been consistently linked to a reduced risk of myopia onset and progression in children. This protective effect is primarily attributed to: Higher light intensity outdoors (10,000-100,000+ lux) compared to indoor environments (10-1000 [...]

  New research indicates that light therapy can reset circadian rhythms in long-COVID patients, significantly improving sleep and overall quality of life. Unexpected improvements in depression, anxiety, and brain fog also resulted from the light therapy. The study was published by Willis, G.L., Endo, T. & Sakoda, S. Circadian re-set repairs long-COVID in a prodromal Parkinson’s [...]