Electric light is of constant intensity, constant spectrum and constant directionality. It does not give any clues to entrain human circadian clocks. The intensity is targeted to the visual function and the energy efficiency codes and restrictions, the spectrum is targeted to the human photonic vision, and the directionality has been constrained by the light sources and the built environment restrictions.
3. Disturbances
This misalignment in modern societies between natural and artificial light conditions has been pointed out as a potential cause of discomfort and dissatisfaction, stress, sleep disruption, and, ultimately, illness.
In the last century, we have moved from darkness to light pollution. Moving from hunger or food scarcity to food abundance creates diet problems. Same happens with light and lighting.
Our new challenge is not only to have light, but the right lighting conditions. It is not anymore about light quantity (light levels), but about lighting quality beyond illuminance and color fidelity.
4. HCL-SPACE Solutions
Recent scientific studies show that besides the well known visual functions, we also have non-visual mechanisms that are mediated by the light that enter through our eyes (even in blind people). This non-visual mechanisms, also known as non-image-forming (NIF), affect our mood, our performance, our circadian rhythmicity, radically affecting our health and quality of life.
Lighting has to be conceived and implemented, not only for the visual function, but taking into consideration the crucial implications that it has for human health and wellness
5. Benefits
Appropriate lighting is critical and has been used to improve human performance in different fields of human extreme activities such as space and deep space exploration, submarines, polar activities, and mining. Nowadays, it can be also applied in daily life in academia, industry and healthcare.
In hospital patients can improve healing and recovery reducing medicament's use, length of stay and readmission. Clinicians can reduce their sleepiness and workload perception, reducing the occurrence and severity of adverse events. Assisted living can improve the quality of life of chronic patients with conditions such as dementia and Alzheimer. And seniors can improve their sleep and quality of life.
Students and teachers can improve their academic performance and the learning environment.
Office and industry workers can improve their performance and safety. Employers can reduce employees absenteeism, reduce healthcare costs, and retain talent. Real state owners can have added value and obtain higher returns of their leased spaces.
Specialty groups such as professional athletes can improve their training and performance, reducing also the occurrence of injuries and their severity, and eventually the recovery times.
Ethical issues should be considered as the human capabilities can be enhanced by lighting touching the field of trans humanism.
6. Social responsibility and contribution
Beyond productivity and performance, one of the major concerns of modern societies is the increase in life expectancy, the growing segment population of the elderly, and the associated healthcare costs.