FULL SPECTRUM LIGHTING
All life on our planet
has adapted to and is nourished by light from the sun and sky, a critical
balance of visible color and invisible ultraviolet wavelengths. Over the
ages, virtually every living thing developed with the help of Nature’s
Full Spectrum. Today most people don’t get enough sunlight because they
spend so much time indoors, and most lack the understanding of lighting
and that there is significant difference is type, and quality of lighting
available.
Most lighting in homes,
schools, offices, factories, stores, is so bad that many health disorders
can be traced to the lack of natural lighting. Natural sunlight and
various forms of light therapy can help reestablish the body’s natural
rhythm (circadian rhythm – the body’s inner clock) which controls timing
of sleep, hormone production, body temperature, and other biological
functions. Disturbances in this rhythm can lead to health problems such
as depression (SAD – Seasonal Affective Disorder) and sleep disorders.
Light therapy and the use of natural full spectrum lighting are becoming
an integral treatment for many related health conditions.
How Light Therapy
Works – As light enters the eyes, millions of light and color
sensitive cells called photoreceptors convert the light into electrical
impulses. These impulses travel along the optic nerve to the brain where
they tripper the hypothalamus gland to send chemical messengers called
neurotransmitters to regulate the automatic functions of body. The
hypothalamus is part of the endocrine system whose secretions govern most
bodily functions – blood pressure, body temperature, breathing, digestion,
sexual function, moods, immune system, aging process, and circadian
rhythm. Full spectrum lighting (containing all wavelengths) sparks the
delicate impulses that regulate these functions and maintain health.
The Importance of
Natural Sunlight – According to numerous studies, poor light poses a
serious threat to health. Many firmly believe that the best light for
maintaining health must contain the full wavelength spectrum found in
natural sunlight. Most artificial (incandescent and standard fluorescent)
lighting lacks the complete balanced spectrum of sunlight. The lack of
the full spectrum interferes with the body’s optimal absorption of
nutrients, a condition known as “malillumination”. Windows, windshields,
eyeglasses, smog, and suntan lotions all filter out parts of the light
spectrum and contribute to the problem.
Most offices, even those
with uncovered windows and the lights on, have a light level of only 500
lux (the international unit illumination) as compared to outdoor light,
which has about 50,000 lux, or about 100 times more. Light levels for
night shift workers are usually about 50 lux. We spend about 90% of our
lives indoors, under inadequate lighting conditions, which can cause or
worsen a range of health problems, including depression, heart disease,
hypertension, depression, insomnia, premenstrual syndrome, migraines, and
carbohydrate cravings, associated with metabolic imbalances.
A ten-year
epidemiological study conducted at johns Hopkins University Medical School
in Baltimore, Maryland, showed that exposure to full spectrum light
(including the ultraviolet frequency) is positively) related to the
prevention of breast, colon, and rectal cancers.
In Russia, a full
spectrum lighting system was installed in factories where colds and sore
throats had become commonplace among workers. This lowered the bacterial
contamination of the air by 40 to 70 percent. Workers who did not receive
the full spectrum light were absent twice as many days as those who did.
Recent tests in classrooms, two using standard fluorescent lighting and
two using full spectrum lights, indicated conclusively that students
exposed to the full spectrum lighting had a marked diminishment of
hyperactivity, less absenteeism, and higher academic achievement.
SAD
(Seasonal Affective Disorder): Full spectrum light and bright light
are effective treatments for Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). The
symptoms of SAD are depression, excess sleeping and eating, withdrawn
feeling, lowered sex drive, etc. Melatonin levels are found to be very
high in-patients with SAD. Daily exposure to sunlight or full spectrum
light has been known to eliminate SAD symptoms.
UV
or Not to UV: That is the question: The term “ultraviolet” causes most
people to think of harmful rays, cancer, cataracts, aging, and wrinkles.
From sunglasses to suntan lotion, most of the UV is blocked or filtered
out. Blocking all of the UV rays may severely weaken the body’s defenses.
There are strong indications that UV light through the eyes stimulates the
immune system. Moderation is the key. There is no question that large
amounts of UV are harmful, however, in trace amounts, it is very
beneficial. Sunlight contains large amounts of UV in various
wavelengths. Each wavelength is responsible for various things, such as
tanning response in humans, activate synthesis of Vitamin D, and
absorption of calcium and other minerals. Sun therapy was very popular
in Europe at the turn of the century, and until the late 1930’s. It was
known as heliotherapy, named after the Greek God of the sun – Helios. By
mid 1930’s, sunbathing and UV therapy was most effective treatments for
many infectious diseases such as: lupus, eczema, acne, herpes, rheumatoid
arthritis, gout, cystics, anemia, colitis, kidney problems, etc. Then in
1938, penicillin was discovered, and world turned to pharmaceuticals, and
drugs became big business. Sun therapy was then regarded as medical
quackery.
There
is another side to the healing with light – and most do not know the
tremendous health benefits from UV. UV light activates the synthesis of
Vitamin D, which is a prerequisite for absorption of calcium and other
minerals. UV light can lower blood pressure; can increase efficiency of
the heart, can improve EKG readings and blood profiles; can reduce
cholesterol; can increase the level of sex hormones (Vita-Lite has a
balanced UV, and is used extensively for enhancing the mating and
reproduction of indoor pet and animals); UV activates an important skin
hormone – solitrol (works with Melatonin to generate changes in mood,
circadian rhythms, and seasonal reproduction.).
There
hundreds of medical studies completed on the health benefits of
ultraviolet light, however, prevailing medical establishments continue to
maintain that UV is dangerous to our health. It is agreed that too much
UV is harmful, however, a basic amount is needed to support life and the
immune system, just like any other vital nutrient. Today we spend most of
our time indoors, and under artificial lighting. Most indoors lighting
(homes, offices, and factories) has inadequate brightness and lacks the
spectral components of sunlight. Additionally, most light bulbs give off
a gross distortion of the visible light spectrum, emitting strong peaks of
light energy in the yellow, red and infrared portions of the spectrum.
That is why most lighting in homes and offices, etc. looks yellowish and
dingy.
Vita-Lite fluorescent light bulbs are the world's only patented,
general-purpose fluorescent tube that simulates the full color and
ultraviolet spectrum of sunlight. Vita-Lite reveals detail and
color accurately. It is a beautiful all-purpose white light - a pleasing
fluorescent tube that operates in existing fixtures for complete lighting
of offices, stores, factories, schools, hospitals, banks, or wherever
fluorescent light is used.
Full Spectrum
Fluorescent lights have the proven capability to:
Blend with natural light
from windows and skylights
Reveal detail and colors
accurately. Improve seeability
Help improve the
performance and productivity of people.
Excellent for Pet and
Plant lighting.
Simulation of natural
light means that environments lit with Vita-Lite fluorescent light bulbs
can blend perfectly with the natural light from windows and skylights.
The eye does not have to adapt to a new spectrum, color temperature or
color rendition when one goes from outdoors or a naturally lighted
environment to an indoor environment lighted with Vita-Lite. Interior
colors are true and details are rendered accurately.
Natural light energizes the environment for people. They generally feel
better, are more alert, see better and perform better. In a survey
conducted to determine the impact of full spectrum lighting in the
workplace it was found that: People felt more relaxed and less fatigued
with full spectrum lighting than Cool White, with higher eye
comfort; The subjects perceived full spectrum lighting as
significantly more pleasant, natural, bright and stimulating;
Additionally, they rated their seeing tasks as more distinct under full
spectrum lighting, and their work tasks as easier and more satisfying.
Five Rare Earth Phosphors Make The Difference! -
Most fluorescent lamps on the market today use
only three ordinary phosphors. Some, like natural-daylight-simulating
Vita-Lite, use four. Only VITA-LITE PLUS uses five—all of them high
quality, rare earth phosphors. In addition to the usual light
primaries of red, blue and green, VITA-LITE PLUS features a UV phosphor
that enables the lamp to emit beneficial, daylight-balanced ultraviolet,
and a special, patented blue-green phosphor, which contributes to a
broader, fuller spectrum, higher light output (2750 to 2900 lumens) and a
high CRI (91) obtainable in a natural daylight-simulating (5500K)
fluorescent tube! (Noon daylight is 5500 K, and 100 CRI)
Not
all “Full Spectrum” light bulbs are true Full Spectrum - noon daylight
bulbs. Light bulbs are rated by 1) Lumen Output; CRI (Color Rendering
Index); and Color Temperature (Kelvin Degrees). These ratings are
required to determine the type of light the bulb is emitting. Natural
light has a unique spectrum, which includes a balance of UV and visible
color regions. This spectrum balance of UV and Visible light is necessary
for lamps to be called “Full Spectrum”. Therefore, if the spectrum from
light bulbs closely matches this balanced spectrum of natural noon day
light, such bulbs can accurately and legitimately be described as Full
Spectrum. Otherwise, the output of bulbs that does not meet this
definition cannot and should not be described as Full Spectrum.
Most
so-called “Full Spectrum” incandescent bulbs and neodymium) are not true
“Full Spectrum” and do not match the high quality full spectrum – noon day
sun light simulating of Vita-Lite (5500 K, 91 CRI). Spectral output
analysis, clearing shows that these types of bulbs do not meet Full
Spectrum requirements. These type bulbs have a rare earth element
(neodymium) in the glass, which reduces the amount of yellow energy from
an incandescent filament, thus producing a unique color-rendering lamp. I
have contacted several of the so-called “Full Spectrum” incandescent
manufacturers regarding their ratings for Color Temperature, CRI, Lumens,
etc. and have yet to receive a reply. Most incandescent and other “Full
Spectrum” bulbs have various color tones (pink, purple, etc.). Our
products are the highest quality true full spectrum products available.
All
products are rated with a Color Temp (5500 K), (91 CRI), and Lumen Output
varies, depending on bulb. There is no guessing to the Lumen Level, CRI,
and Color Temperature (K). Furthermore, the spectral analysis closely
matches noonday sunlight and has a balanced UV, which incandescent bulbs
do not have.
Another important factor is Lumen Maintenance, many fluorescent bulbs
loose up to 40% of their lumen output; Vita-Lite is guaranteed not to
loose 25% over the warranty period. Vita-Lite bulbs are high quality,
commercial grade, and have a free replacement warranty (one to three
years). Rated life of the all Vita-Lite bulbs is based on actual user
hours, and not “average hours”. Average user hours mean 50% fail before
rate life and 50% fail after rated life. Vita-Lite is available is
several sizes, and compact fluorescent bulbs. “Living in the Light” with
Vita-Lite. Why buy expensive light boxes, just change existing
bulbs to full spectrum sunlight simulating Vita-Lite, or install
inexpensive fluorescent fixtures. (Is the LUX level of light boxes
correct? Will expand and compare calculations of bulbs used and indicated
LUX levels of light boxes in next article.)
Naturallighting.com
specializes in natural full spectrum lighting by Vita-Lite. Other
products include our exclusive Ergonomic Desk Lamps, Ultra Compact SunPro
Spiral and Globes, Energy Efficient Fluorescent Work Lights, and
Ultraviolet Air and Water Purifiers.
Written By: Larry
Weber,
larry@naturallighting.com 888.900.6830
