Circadian Potency Spectrum in Light-Adapted Humans.

Light exposure at night can disrupt the circadian timing of cellular processes and is associated with a broad range of health disorders. To spectrally engineer lighting which minimizes circadian disruption at night it is necessary to define the precise spectral sensitivity of the human circadian system. Prior attempts have used short monochromatic light exposures in dark-adapted human subjects, or dark-adapted isolated retina or melanopsin.

Circadian Potency Spectrum with Extended Exposure to Polychromatic White LED Light under Workplace Conditions.

Electric light has enabled humans to conquer the night, but light exposure at night can disrupt the circadian timing system and is associated with a diverse range of health disorders. To provide adequate lighting for visual tasks without disrupting the human circadian timing system, a precise definition of circadian spectral sensitivity is required. Prior attempts to define the circadian spectral sensitivity curve have used short (≤90-min) monochromatic light exposures in dark-adapted human subjects or in vitro dark-adapted isolated retina or melanopsin.