“Light pollution,” simply put, is light that is going where it’s not wanted.  While light pollution is a topic near and dear to the hearts of astronomers, as a reality it is something that affects everyone and everything with varying degrees of seriousness, from disrupted sleep to confused wildlife to cancer. 

 

As you consider placing lights, please consider the following:

• Light pollution has been linked to sleep disorders (Missing the Dark: Health Effect of Light Pollution)

• Light pollution negatively affects sea turtles, birds, and other wildlife

• Light pollution has been linked to breast cancer (Light at Night and Breast Cancer Risk Worldwide)

• Light pollution is a manifestation of wasted energy

• Light pollution washes out the night sky, blotting out all but the very brightest stars

 

More light pollution studies are still being added to the library yearly.

 

We aren’t trying to suggest that all lighting is bad or unnecessary.  Light is required for nighttime work and safety.  However, there is good lighting and bad lighting.  Good lighting should be well planned for optimum placement and well shielded for optimum efficiency.  Everyone and everything can benefit from well shielded and planned lighting.

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Global sources for your consideration:

• International Dark-Sky Association

• Audubon Society

• Light pollution map

• Night Sky Heritage

• Wasted Energy and Money

• National Conference of State Legislatures

• AMA Adopts Street Lighting Guidance

• Adverse Health Effects of Nighttime Lighting

• Missing the Dark (National Institute of Health  - 2009)

• Outdoor Lighting at Night and Breast Cancer Incidence (2017)

• Lighting, Crime, and Safety

• Chicago Alley Lighting Project (2000)

• Light Pollution Effects on Wildlife and Ecosystems

• Huffington Post (2012)

• Globe at Night

 

Local references (at least within Indiana):

• Clinton County Light Pollution Ordinance (2003)

• Purdue Urban Forestry paper (2002)

• Purdue Campus Lighting Design course work (2003)