In large urban centers it has become increasingly difficult to see the stars, even on nights with clear skies. This phenomenon occurs due to the so-calledlight pollution, which affects several cities around the world.
Light pollution also compromises the quality of life of workers in manufacturing environments, in addition to making processes unsafe. In this sense, havingefficient lighting solutionsis essential to avoid the problem.
In this content, we will better explain the phenomenon of light pollution, the negative impacts involved and how your industry can combat this problem with the help ofintelligent lighting systems. Let's go!
What is light pollution
Among the different types of pollution that exist, light pollution refers to theexcess lightin certain situations. This phenomenon is generally caused by the large number of artificial lights installed in urban centers, threatening plant and animal species, including humans.
In general terms, light pollution is any type of light emitted that is excessive or inappropriate for the situation. The impacts range from imbalance in environmental ecosystems to visual discomfort for human beings, which can significantly disrupt the performance of work activities.
What are the types of light pollution
The National Astrophysics Laboratory describes three types of light pollution:
Sky glow
It happens when there are lights directed upwards, whose beams are accentuated by the polluting gases in the atmosphere – leaving the sky in an orange or whitish tone – and by the materials in the composition of sometypes of lamps. These materials are generallysodium vapor e Mercury.
Glare
The phenomenon of light pollution characterized as glare occurs when light is emitted excessively, which can even cause momentary blindness. A practical example of this situation are the beams emitted by the high beams of vehicles on highways.
Intrusive light (trespass)
The so-called intrusive light occurs when the beams are poorly positioned, thus invading other spaces that do not need this lighting. A common example is residential rooms that are never completely dark due to the light from a streetlight outside the house.
Why does this phenomenon occur
In the vast majority of cases, light pollution occurs due to a lack of urban and strategic planning. In the case of the industrial segment, this problem is also related to the inadequate configuration offactory lighting systems.
Many managers still have the mistaken idea that a well-lit warehouse is one full of light bulbs. However, with aintelligent natural lighting system, it is entirely possible to keep a factory well lit without having to use artificial lamps during most of the working day. We will talk more about this throughout the content.
What are the impacts caused by light pollution?
In places with excessive lighting, situations that are harmful to the environment, humans and the ecosystem as a whole are common, since excessive light can affect the migratory cycles of animals, as well as the eating and reproductive habits of various species. We detail these impacts below.
Affects the health of employees
Excessive nighttime light causes changes in human physiological and behavioral cycles, influencing sleep patterns, temperature and hormone production, which directly impacts the individual's cardiovascular system.
Another harmful consequence of light pollution is the manufacture of excess artificial light bulbs, whose improper disposal can be considerably harmful to the environment and to society.people's health, for containing toxic elements such as mercury and lead.
Generates environmental impact
In addition to threatening the life cycle of nocturnal invertebrates, artificial light also affects plants and microorganisms. In general, these are the impacts on animal and plant species:
Animals
In the case of birds, for example, light pollution can confuse animals and bring forward their reproductive period. THEmigratory routeof birds is also affected, causing them to migrate earlier, causing an imbalance in the animal chain.
Many nocturnal migrant species have their orientation mechanisms compromised when crossing brightly lit areas. This interference leaves birds disoriented and causes them to crash into buildings, the ground or even each other.
Some spiders use the attraction exerted by lighting to capture insects, building webs close to artificial light sources and compromising the entire balance of an ecosystem.
There are species of turtles that usually build their nests in the beach sand. The reflection of the light from the moon and stars guides the hatchlings towards the sea. However, excessive lighting on streets and seaside hotels can confuse newly hatched turtles, which end up going in the opposite direction and dying, whether from dehydration, predator attacks or even being run over.
Plants
Plants are also affected by light pollution. In some cases, excessive light can force them to carry out photosynthesis and cause them to grow abnormally. There are plant species that do not flower if the night is shorter, while others end up flowering prematurely.
The disorientation of bees also has a negative impact onflora development, since plant pollination is compromised.
It hinders the quality of life
As far as humans are concerned, light pollution is capable of affecting ourquality of lifeand also our professional life. Excessive light from the outside ends up influencing the lighting comfort inside homes, especially during the rest period, causing sleep disturbances and attracting insects that, in addition to causing discomfort, can also carry diseases.
Furthermore, night lighting is capable of confusing what we commonly call“biological clock”, which regulates the functioning of our body. In this sense, the changes caused by light pollution can trigger a series of sleep-related disorders, such as depression, obesity and mood disorders.
Increases electrical energy consumption
One of the immediate results of excessive lighting that causes light pollution isincrease in energy bill. Especially in the industrial segment, this could be reason enough to destabilize the company's budgetary control, since we are talking about large environments and production lines that remain in operation all day long.
Natural lighting is a solution to combat light pollution
Yes. As we said previously, the search for intelligent systems – such as natural lighting projects withlinear domes– has been increasingly urgent among factory managers.
Given the worrying impacts we mentioned, it is important to avoid excessive use of artificial lighting, in order to preserve thequality of life in the work environmentand also environmental ecosystems.
Investing in natural lighting systems is currently the most efficient and economical way to combat light pollution, as it is a sustainable project and, at the same time, works at maximum performance.
Is it really worth investing in a sustainable project?Find out everything about this subjectand discover why most people prefer to buy from sustainable companies!
We also highlight that the use of lighting systems withlinear domusThere is an emphasis on day shifts. With regard to night time, this alternative requires a supplement, like theLED bulbs, which are also highlighted when talking about industrial sustainability.
The combination of natural lighting domus withLED lampsIt is therefore the ideal system to avoid light pollution and set up a healthy and safe working environment in the factory. Thus, employees gainvisual comfort, while the factory gains inenergy saving, as the domus do not consume electricity to operate.
O MB Group,For example, it also provides asmart central– theMB Smart– capable of automatically controlling all lighting resources in the warehouse. The intention is to combine maximum energy savings with efficient lighting during all shifts on the production line.
O MB Groupis also a specialist in manufacturingshutters forindustrial ventilationfocusing on the use of natural light, in order to promote internal lighting in warehouses. So, if you want to combat light pollution and become a reference in sustainability in the industry, you already know which solutions to invest in.
Discover ourcomplete catalog of intelligent systems for natural lighting and ventilationand take your factory to a more modern and sustainable level!
