In a first-of-its-kind study, researchers found that light pollution leads to more than just wasted energy and washed-out star light – it can likely increase premature birth nearly 13%. Laura Argys, professor of economics at the University of Colorado Denver, collaborated with scientists at Lehigh University and Lafayette College to produce this study.
Skyglow, one of the brightest forms of pollution, is Skyglow, the brightness of the night sky with the exception of distinct light sources such as the moon and visible stars. When you have increased artificial brightness at night, coming from sources such as streets, outdoor advertising, and buildings, it reduces your ability to see the dark skies and individual stars. The authors of the study found that this can lead to health issues, especially for pregnant women.
We have found that increased light pollution is associated with some very serious health challenges. In pregnant women, this includes a higher chance of delivering a baby with less birth weight, shorter gestational length, and an increase in premature birth. “
Laura Argys, Professor of Economics, University of Colorado Denver
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), premature babies have higher mortality and disability rates. In 2018, premature birth and low birth weight accounted for about 17% of infant deaths (deaths before one year of age).
According to study co-author and Professor Muzhe Yang at Lehigh University, light pollution disrupts the biological clock in our bodies, known as circadian rhythms. This, in turn, can cause sleep disorders that eventually lead to birth defects. Notably, preterm birth (birth before 37 weeks) is likely to increase by about 12.9% due to increased brightness during the night.
“While increased use of artificial light at night (ALAN) is often associated with increased economic wealth, our study highlights a health benefit that is often overlooked by‘ darkness, ’” Yang said. “The biological clock of a human body, like all life on earth, needs the ‘darkness’ as part of the dark-dark circle to effectively regulate physical activities, such as sleep.”
Argys and her team hope this inquiry will stimulate policy discussions as they deal with light pollution regulations moving forward.
“While it benefits the economy and society, the results of ALAN are obvious,” Argys said. “Our study has important policy implications such as why we should reduce skyglow that is, for example, lit by street lighting. “
Source:
University of Colorado Denver
Magazine Reference:
Argys, LM, et al. (2020) Light pollution, poor sleep, and health of infants at birth. Southern Economic Association. doi.org/10.1002/soej.12477.