Non-visual biological effect of lighting and the practical meaning for lighting for work

The effects of good lighting extend much further than we used to think. Recent medical and biological research has consistently shown that light entering the human eyes has, apart from a visual effect, also an important non-visual biological effect on the human body. As a consequence, good lighting has a positive influence on health, well-being, alertness, and even on sleep quality. Our better understanding of the diversity in lighting effects teaches us that new rules governing the design of good and healthy lighting installations are required. Thanks to the recent discovery of a novel photoreceptor in the eye and its probable distribution within the eye we can now begin to define these new rules. These will guide us to dynamic lighting installations: that is to say dynamic in lighting level and dynamic in tint of whiteness of the lighting colour. (c) 2006 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.