Author/Editor		Reiter, Russel J
Title		Good light and bad: some physiological consequences of the electromagnetic spectrum
Type		članek
Source		In: Hočevar A, Črepinšek Z, Kajfež-Bogataj L, editors. Biometeorology 14. Proceedings of the 14th international congress of biometeorology. Part 2. (Vol 1); 1996 Sep 1-8; Ljubljana. Ljubljana: Slovenian meteorological society,
Publication year		1996
Volume		str. 112-23
Language		eng
Abstract		The total electromagnetic spectrum possess a variety of wavelengths which vary greatly in terms of their electromagnetic energy. This article is concerned with the physiological consequences of those wavelengths that are visible to the vertebrate eye, i.e., light, and those in the extremely low frequency range, i.e., those that accompany the use of electricity. One argues that naturalas well as artificial light and electricity are enormously beneficial to humankind. On the other hand, however, there are negative aspects of the misuse of light and there are biological effects of exposure to extremely low frequency magnetic fields. In reference to light, its imposition after sun set or before sun rise inhibits an organ in the brain, the pineal gland, from synthesizing its important hormone, melatonin. Also, light at the wrong time can cause dysynchronization of circadian rhythmas such as happens during jet lag and shift work. Likewise, the exposure of cells and non-human mammals to sinusoid and well as intermittent static magnetic fields has been shown to have biological effects and their is some concern that such exposures may cause a slight increased incidence of cancer in humans. This, however, is not proven and awaits the outcome of ongoing studies.
Descriptors		ENVIRONMENTAL EXPOSURE ELECTROMAGNETIC FIELDS MELATONIN CIRCADIAN RHYTHM DARKNESS LIGHTING