Through the influence on circadian rhythms, natural and artificial lighting, as well as lifestyle and architecture, affect health and performance. Epidemiological and interventional studies of light-initiated circadian biological outcomes require robust 24‐hour data on personal light exposures, including blue light weighted irradiance data. The performance of the detection systems used is a key factor. We assessed the performance of 16 Actiwatch Spectrum™ devices for spectral response, directional response and dynamic range and propose techniques for calibration, deployment and data analysis for use of the watches in circadian studies. The results are presented, followed by a discussion of applicability focussing on spectral response for circadian studies.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
ViolaAUJamesLMSchlangenLJDjikDJ. Blue-enriched white light in the workplace improves self-reported alertness, performance and sleep quality. Scandinavian Journal of Work. Environment and Health2008; 34(4): 297–306.
2.
SanthiNDuffyJFHorowitzTSCzeislerCA. Scheduling of sleep/darkness affects the circadian phase of night shift workers. Neuroscience Letters2005; 384(3): 316–320.
3.
SanthiNAeschbachDHorowitzTSCzeislerCA. The impact of sleep timing and bright light exposure on attentional impairment during night work. Journal of Biological Rhythms2008; 23(4): 341–352.
4.
BukorovicN. Society of Light and Lighting. Lighting Guide 2: Hospitals and Health Care Buildings. London: The Society of Light and Lighting, 2008.
5.
HubalekSBrinkMSchierzC. Office workers’ daily exposure to light and its influence on sleep quality and mood. Lighting Research and Technology2010; 42: 33–50.
6.
Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage. Methods of Characterizing Illuminance Meters and Luminance Meters – Performance, Characteristics and Specifications. CIE Publication 69. Vienna: CIE, 1987.
7.
ThorneHCJonesKHPetersSPArcherSNDijkDJ. Daily and seasonal variation in the spectral composition of light exposure in humans. Chronobiology International2009; 26(5): 854–866.
8.
DaceyDMLiaoHWPetersonBBRobinsonFRSmithVCPokornyJYauKWGamlinPD. Melanopsin-expressing ganglion cells in primate retina signal colour and irradiance and project to the LGN. Nature2005; 433(7027): 749–754.
9.
BiermanAKleinTRReaMS. The Daysimeter: a device for measuring optical radiation as a stimulus for the human circadian system. Measurement Science and Technology2005; 16: 2292–2299.
10.
HubalekSZoschgDSchierzC. Ambulant recording of light for vision and non-visual biological effects. Lighting Research and Technology2006; 38(4): 314–324.
11.
BrainardGCHanifinJPGreesonJMByrneBGlickmanGGernerERollagMDGamlinPD. Action spectrum for melatonin regulation in humans: evidence for a novel circadian photoreceptor. Journal of Neuroscience2001; 21: 6405–6412.
12.
ThapanKArendtJSkeneDJ. An action spectrum for melatonin suppression: evidence for a novel non-rod, non-cone photoreceptor system in humans. Journal of Physiology2001; 535: 261–267.
13.
BersonDMDunnFATakaoM. Phototransduction by retinal ganglion cells that set the circadian clock. Science2002; 295(5557): 1070–1073.
14.
HankinsMWLucasRJ. The primary visual pathway in humans is regulated according to long-term light exposure through the action of a nonclassical photopigment. Current Biology2002; 12(3): 191–198.
15.
GamlinPDMcDougalDHPokornyJSmithVCYauKWDaceyDM. Human and macaque pupil responses driven by melanopsin-containing retinal ganglion cells. Vision Research2007; 47(7): 946–954.
16.
PokornyJSmithVCLutzeM. Aging of the human lens. Applied Optics1987; 26(8): 1437–1440.
17.
Deutsches Institut für Normung (DIN) [German Institute for Standardization], Standard. DIN V 5031–100 (2008–06): Strahlungsphysik im optischen Bereich und Lichttechnik – Teil 100: Über das Auge vermittelte, nichtvisuelle Wirkung des Lichts auf den Menschen – Gröβen, Formelzeichen und Wirkungsspektren [Radiation physics in the optical domain and light technology – Part 100: Non-visual effects of light on humans transmitted by the eye – factors, formulas and ranges of efficacy]. Lighting Technology Standards Committee (FNL) in the DIN: 16, 2008.
18.
International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). Guidelines on limits of exposure to broad-band incoherent optical radiation (0.38 to 3µm). Health Physics1997; 73(3): 539–554.
19.
BaczynskaKO'HaganJBKhazovaM. Assessment of the optical radiation safety of seasonal affective disorder lamps: Proceedings of the Health Protection Conference. Didcot, UK: Health Protection Agency, 2009.
