Spectral and Biological Simulation Methods for the Design of Healthy Circadian Lighting

We assess the state of the art in non-image forming effects (NIF) of light on human health, alertness and wellbeing as applied to the design of the built environment. There are many methods of calculating spectral daylighting weighted for its impact on circadian dynamics and alertness; however, all current analysis is based on a saturation effect. We add electric lighting to the calculation methods and implement a collection of photobiological models from medical literature to predict circadian dynamics, alertness, and melatonin levels due to light exposure. The new framework is tested under several different daylight, electric light, and monitor screen use scenarios.