Debunking Full-Spectrum Lighting Claims

Posted by timothy on Wednesday September 24, 2003 @06:31AM from the better-than-viagra dept.

GreenSwirl writes "Full-spectrum light sources often are claimed to promote health, mood and productivity in schools and offices. The Lighting Research Center at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York, has published an independent report evaluating full-spectrum light sources. Practically all health claims are debunked and many products are shown to have a less-than-full spectrum. The report was produced as part of the National Lighting Product Information Program, an objective third-party funded by government and utilities."

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Effects may be just due to bright light by nixman99 · 2003-09-24 07:39 · Score: 4, Interesting

Here in northern England, the winters get mighty dark. I've found that using a full spectrum light to illuminate a room definitely increases my energy level in the evening. But I've wondered if the effect occurs just because the light is so bright: if feels like it's still afternoon, so my body acts like it.

As a side note, the full spectrum light has the cool effect of giving the house a sort-of radioactive glow 8-)