What is Circadian Lighting?

In recent years, various industries, from healthcare to corporate, have been embracing the potential benefits of circadian lighting. This innovative lighting system follows the natural sleep/wake cycles of the human body and has the power to significantly impact people's health, alertness, productivity, and more.

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Understanding Circadian Lighting

Circadian lighting is designed based on the concept of the human circadian rhythm, a 24-hour internal clock that regulates our sleep and wake cycles. The hypothalamus, a part of our brain, controls this rhythm by receiving signals from our eyes that indicate whether it's daytime or nighttime. In response to these signals, the hypothalamus regulates the release of melatonin, a hormone that affects our sleepiness and alertness.

Research has shown that light affects both our visual and non-visual systems, and electric light can influence our circadian rhythm. Certain wavelengths of blue light, when exposed to for prolonged periods, can negatively impact melatonin production. To counteract this, circadian lighting aims to minimize the disruptive effects of electric light on our circadian rhythm. Currently, there are three approaches to implementing circadian lighting: intensity tuning, color tuning, and stimulus tuning.

Intensity Tuning

Intensity tuning is the most commonly used and cost-effective solution for circadian lighting. This approach involves adjusting the brightness (intensity) of the light fixtures throughout the day while maintaining a consistent correlated color temperature (CCT). In the early morning and evening, the intensity is lowered to promote relaxation, while it is increased during the day to enhance alertness.

Color Tuning

Color tuning involves adjusting both the intensity and color temperature of the light to mimic the natural daytime/nighttime cycle. Cooler color temperatures, ranging from 4000K to 10,000K, are used during the day to promote alertness. Warmer color temperatures, ranging from <2700K to 3500K, are utilized during periods of rising and setting sun to aid in falling asleep or waking up.

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Stimulus Tuning

Stimulus tuning replaces the "bad blue" light wavelengths with "good blue" light that closely mimics the natural daylight spectrum. This approach limits melatonin suppression during evening and nighttime hours without changing the CCT. Stimulus tuning is most effective when combined with intensity tuning, providing a holistic circadian lighting solution.

Real-life Applications: Saint Barnabas Medical Center, Livingston, NJ

Circadian lighting is gaining traction in healthcare settings. At Saint Barnabas Medical Center's Cooperman Family Pavilion, the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) is implementing a tunable white LED lighting system. This system adjusts the color temperature throughout the day, transitioning from cool blue to warm amber, to regulate the newborns' circadian rhythm. By aligning with natural daylight patterns, this lighting solution aims to enhance their growth patterns and development, ultimately leading to shorter hospital stays.

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WELL Standards for Circadian Lighting

The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) has established the WELL Building Standard, which promotes the design of buildings and communities that prioritize comfort, health, and well-being. Circadian lighting design is a critical feature of this standard and provides appropriate light exposure to enhance our circadian rhythms. To achieve points for this feature, all occupied spaces in the project must have lighting that achieves a minimum of 120 EML (equivalent melanopic lux). This holistic approach considers not only visual perception but also the biological impact of light, ensuring spaces are optimized to support our overall well-being.

Future of Circadian Lighting

As more studies and industries explore the uses and benefits of circadian lighting, designers will continue to refine and innovate this concept. With its potential to positively impact people's health and well-being in various settings, circadian lighting is set to revolutionize the way we illuminate our lives.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How does circadian lighting affect our well-being?

A: Circadian lighting follows the natural sleep/wake cycles of our body, positively impacting our health, alertness, and productivity.

Q: What are the main approaches to implementing circadian lighting?

A: The main approaches are intensity tuning, color tuning, and stimulus tuning. Each approach focuses on adjusting the brightness and color temperature of the light to align with our natural circadian rhythm.

Q: How is circadian lighting applied in healthcare settings?

A: Healthcare centers, like Saint Barnabas Medical Center, use circadian lighting to regulate the circadian rhythm of patients. By aligning with natural daylight patterns, this lighting solution can enhance growth patterns and contribute to shorter hospital stays.

Q: What standards are in place for circadian lighting?

A: The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) has established the WELL Building Standard, which provides guidelines for circadian lighting design to enhance the well-being of occupants in various spaces.

Q: What does the future hold for circadian lighting?

A: As more research is conducted and industries explore its benefits, circadian lighting will continue to evolve, improving our understanding of how light affects our well-being in different settings.

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