Publications

Booklets and guides

Lighting the Way: A Key to Independence - Series of three booklets with guidelines for effective lighting for older adults. Separate booklets are available online and as PDF files for:

1. General public, older adults, and their families
2. Home designers, architects, and builders
3. Health care professionals

Controlling Tuberculosis Transmission with Ultraviolet Irradiation - Answers common questions about tuberculosis and shows how to control its transmission using ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI). This publication is intended for engineers, architects, and the general public.

Journal articles and conference papers

The articles and papers listed below are the results of light-and-health research conducted by LRC scientists. Some papers are available at no charge directly from this Web site. Others can be downloaded from the publisher's site, often at no charge. In some cases, publishers offer an abstract but may require purchase of the entire paper. We have attempted to provide appropriate links and the information you will need to view these articles.

Author(s): Figueiro MG, Gras L, Qi N, Rizzo P, Rea M, Rea M. Title: A novel lighting system for postural control and stability in seniors Journal Title: Lighting Research and Technology, Jun 2008; 40: 111 - 126 ABSTRACT: Journal Abstract Author(s): Sloane PD, Figueiro MG, Cohen L. Title: Light Therapy for Sleep Disorders and Depression in Older Adults Journal Title: Clinical Geriatrics, March 2008:2-8 ABSTRACT: Journal Abstract Author(s): Figueiro MG. Title: A proposed 24 hour lighting scheme for older adults Journal Title: Lighting Research and Technology 2008 40: 153-160 ABSTRACT: Journal Abstract Author(s): Figueiro MG, Bierman A, Rea MS. Title: Retinal mechanisms determine the subadditive response to polychromatic light by the human circadian system Journal Title: Neuroscience Letters 2008 438(2):242-245 ABSTRACT: Journal Abstract Author(s): Rea MS, Bierman A, Figueiro MG, Bullough JD. Title: A New Approach to Understanding the Impact of Circadian Disruption on Human Health Journal Title: Journal of Circadian Rhythms, 6:7 (29 May 2008) ABSTRACT: Full-text online Author(s): Figueiro MG, Saldo E, Rea M, Kubarek K, Cunningham J and Rea MS. Title: Developing Architectural Lighting Designs to Improve Sleep in Older Adults Journal Title: The Open Sleep Journal 2008 vol 1(12): 40-51 ABSTRACT: Journal Abstract Author(s): Bullough JD, Bierman A, Figueiro MG, Rea MS. Title: On melatonin suppression from polychromatic and narrowband light. Journal Title: Chronobiol Int. 2008 Jul; 25(4):653-6 ABSTRACT: Link to PubMed listing Author(s): Figueiro MG, Bullough JD, Bierman A, Fay CR, Rea MS Title: On light as an alerting stimulus at night. Journal Title: Acta Neurobiologiae Experimentalis vol 67(2): 171:178 (2007) ABSTRACT: Full-text PDF Author(s): Figueiro MG, Appleman K, Bullough JD, Rea MS Title: A discussion of recommended standards for lighting in the newborn intensive care unit Journal Title: Journal of Perinatology 26 S19 - S26 (01 Oct 2006) ABSTRACT: Visit publisher's website Author(s): Figueiro, M. G., M. S. Rea and J. D. Bullough. Title: Circadian effectiveness on two polychromatic lights in suppressing human nocturnal melatonin Journal Title: Neuroscience Letters 406 (2006) 293-297 ABSTRACT: Visit publisher's website Author(s): Figueiro, M. G., M. S. Rea and J. D. Bullough. Title: Does architectural lighting contribute to breast cancer? Journal Title: Journal of Carcinogenesis 5(1): 20. ABSTRACT: Visit publisher's website Author(s): Bullough J.D., Rea M.S., Figueiro M.G. Title: Of mice and women: Light as a circadian stimulus in breast cancer research Journal Title: Cancer Causes and Control 17(4):375-383. ABSTRACT: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10552-005-0574-1 Author(s): Bierman, A., T.R. Klein, and M.S. Rea Title: The Daysimeter: a device for measuring optical radiation as a stimulus for the human circadian system." Journal Title: Measurement Science and Technology 16: 2292-2299. ABSTRACT: Optical radiation incident on the human retina stimulates vision as well as provides time-of-day information to the brain's circadian clock. The visual and circadian systems respond very differently to optical radiation. A device, the Daysimeter, was developed and tested to help progress toward a system of circadian dosimetry. The Daysimeter is a light-weight, head-mounted device that records radiation exposure estimates for both the visual and circadian systems, and is specifically designed for field use. In addition to logging spectrally weighted radiation measurements, it records head position and motion to be utilized as a representation of human circadian activity. This manuscript provides background on the differences between radiation for the visual and circadian systems, as well as a description of the development and testing of this prototype device. View Article Preprint or Visit publisher's website Author(s): Figueiro MG, Bullough JD, Bierman A, Rea MS. Title: Demonstration of additivity failure in human circadian phototransduction." Journal Title: Neuro Endocrinol Lett. 2005 Oct 30;26(5) ABSTRACT: View abstract Author(s): Figueiro MG, Rea MS. Title: New Research in the Light and Health Field is expanding the possibilities for LED lighting in healthcare environments. Journal Title: CIE Midterm Meeting Conference Proceedings, Leon, Spain, 2005. Author(s): Figueiro MG, Bullough JD, Parsons RH, Rea MS. Title: Preliminary evidence for a change in spectral sensitivity of the circadian system at night. Journal Title: J Circadian Rhythms. 2005 Dec 11;3(1):14 ABSTRACT: View abstract Author(s): Bullough JD, Figueiro MG, Possidente BP, Parsons RH, Rea MS. Title: Additivity in murine circadian phototransduction. Journal Title: Zoolog Sci. 2005 Feb;22(2):223-7. ABSTRACT: View abstract Author(s): Rea MS, Figueiro MG, Bullough JD, Bierman A. Title: A model of phototransduction by the human circadian system. Journal Title: Brain Res Brain Res Rev. 2005 Dec;50(2):213-28. Epub 2005 Oct 7. ABSTRACT: View Abstract Author(s): Jenny Taylor Title: "Advanced lighting technologies enhance resident care" Journal Title: Nursing Homes Magazine ABSTRACT: This article discusses how new options and advancements in lighting technology can be used to increase safety and enhance care in long-term care facilities. The article reports on a recent study conducted by the Lighting Research Center (LRC) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York, that shows just how well innovative lighting solutions can work for residents and staff. Author(s): Figueiro MG Title: "Bright side of blue light" Journal Title: LD&A Research Matters. ABSTRACT: This article reports on a recent study conducted by the Lighting Research Center (LRC) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York, that shows how to use blue light to help consolidate sleep/wake cycles and improve sleep quality of those with and without Alzheimer's disease. Author(s): Figueiro MG Title: "Bright side of night lighting" Journal Title: LD&A Research Matters. ABSTRACT: This article reports on a recent study conducted by the Lighting Research Center (LRC) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York, that shows just how innovative night lighting solutions can minimize sleep disturbances of nursing home residents and still allow staff to perform their tasks. Author(s): Figueiro, Mariana G., John D Bullough, Robert H. Parsons, and Mark S.Rea. Title: "Preliminary Evidence for Spectral Opponency in the Suppression of Melatonin by Light in Humans." Journal Title: NeuroReport 15.2 (2004): 313-16. ABSTRACT: View Abstract Author(s): Figueiro, Mariana G. Title: "Research Recap: Light, Aging & the Circadian System - Reviving 'All That Jazz?'." Journal Title: Lighting Design + Application (LD+A) 33.6 (2003): 8-11. ABSTRACT: This article briefly describes how the human circadian system changes with age and how light may be used to help mitigate some of the effects of these changes. Author(s): Figueiro, Mariana G. Title: "Research Recap: Circadian Rhythm." Journal Title: Lighting Design + Application (LD+A) 33.2 (2003): 17-18. ABSTRACT: This article reviews some basic knowledge of circadian rhythms and discusses the lighting characteristics (intensity, spectrum, timing, duration, and light distribution) that affect the circadian system. Author(s): Figueiro, Mariana, John D. Bullough, and Mark S. Rea. Title: "Spectral Sensitivity of the Circadian System." Journal Title: Third International Conference on Solid State Lighting, Proceedings of SPIE 5187 (2003). ABSTRACT: Light exposure regulates several circadian functions in normal humans including the sleep-wake cycle. Individuals with Alzheimer's Disease (AD) often do not have regular patterns of activity and rest, but, rather, experience random periods of sleep and agitation during both day and night. Bright light during the day and darkness at night has been shown to consolidate activity periods during the day and rest periods at night in AD patients. The important characteristics of bright light exposure (quantity, spectrum, distribution, timing and duration) for achieving these results in AD patients is not yet understood. Recent research has shown that moderate (~18 lx at the cornea) blue (~470 nm) light is effective at suppressing melatonin in normal humans. It was hypothesized that blue light applied just before AD patients retire to their beds for the night would have a measurable impact on their behavior. A pilot study was conducted for 30 days in a senior health care facility using four individuals diagnosed with mild to moderate levels of dementia. Four AD patients were exposed to arrays of blue light from light emitting diodes (max wavelength = 470 nm) in two-hour sessions (18:00 to 20:00 hours) for 10 days. As a control, they were exposed to red light (max wavelength = 640 nm) in two-hour sessions for 10 days prior to the blue light exposure. Despite the modest sample size, exposure to blue LEDs has shown to affect sleep quality and median body temperature peak of these AD patients. Median body temperature peak was delayed by approximately 2 hours after exposure to blue LEDs compared to exposure to red LEDs and sleep quality was improved. This pilot study demonstrated that light, especially LEDs, can be an important contribution to helping AD patients regulate their circadian functions. Author(s): Figueiro, Mariana G., Mark S. Rea, and Gregory Eggleston. Title: "Light Therapy and Alzheimer's Disease." Journal Title: Sleep Review: The Journal for Sleep Specialists 4.1 (2003). ABSTRACT: Exposure to blue light in the evening could be a clinically effective treatment for consolidating rest/activity rhythms of Alzheimer's disease patients, which can also benefit caregivers in institutions and at home. Author(s): Rea, Mark S. Title: "Light - Much More Than Vision". Journal Title: (Keynote). Light and Human Health: EPRI/LRO 5th International Lighting Research Symposium: Palo Alto, CA: The Lighting Research Office of the Electric Power Research Institute (2002): 1-15. ABSTRACT: A brief overview of the impact of light on the circadian system is given, which underscores the importance of developing a framework for circadian photometry. The amount of light, its spectral composition, spatial distribution, timing and duration needed for vision is so different from that needed for circadian functioning, that generalizations about 'good lighting' will have to be assessed by two very different sets of criteria in the future. Although the framework provided in this paper will undoubtedly be refined as more research is undertaken, little progress will be made in delivering 'healthy lighting' to society until researchers and practitioners begin to consider, measure, calculate, and control the fundamental characteristics of light for the circadian system, as well as for the visual system. It is my belief that a new system of photometry for the circadian system should be developed, and that until we do, we will be unable to lay claim to 'good lighting' with regard to human health. Author(s): Figueiro, Mariana G., Mark S. Rea, Richard G. Stevens, and Anne C. Rea. Title: "Daylight and Productivity - A Possible Link to Circadian Regulation" Journal Title: Light and Human Health: EPRI/LRO 5th International Lighting Research Symposium: Palo Alto, CA: The Lighting Research Office of the Electric Power Research Institute (2002): 185-193. ABSTRACT: It has long been held that daylight positively affects worker productivity. Two recent studies reinforce this belief, but the cause-and-effect relationship between daylight and productivity has not been established. The present pilot study compared occupancy rates and types of behavior in matched samples of office workers assigned to interior or to windowed offices during the winter of 2001. Although occupancy rates were identical, workers in windowed offices spent more time on computer tasks than matched workers in interior offices. The root causes of these findings remains unknown, but the results are consistent with the hypothesis that bright light during the day improves productivity during winter months. Author(s): Figueiro, Mariana G., Gregory Eggleston, and Mark S. Rea. Title: "Effects of Light Exposure on Behavior of Alzheimer's Patients - A Pilot Study" Journal Title: Light and Human Health: EPRI/LRO 5th International Lighting Research Symposium: Palo Alto, CA: The Lighting Research Office of the Electric Power Research Institute (2002): 151-156. ABSTRACT: Alzheimer's Disease (AD) patients exhibit aperiodic (random) patterns of rest and activity rather than the consolidated sleep/wake cycle found in normal older people. This pattern of behavior is very difficult for their caregivers who must be extra vigilant to the needs of AD patients. Clinical research has shown that exposure to very bright light in the day and darkness at night can consolidate rest and activity patterns in AD patients. This clinical research was based upon more basic studies of circadian regulation by light exposure in animals and humans. We undertook a pilot study to determine if exposure to blue light from light-emitting diodes could have a clinical impact on AD patients. Author(s): Rea, Mark S., Mariana G. Figueiro, and John D. Bullough. Title: "Circadian Photobiology: an Emerging Framework for Lighting Practice and Research." Journal Title: Lighting Research and Technology 34.3 (2002): 177-190. ABSTRACT: The purpose of this paper is to outline a new framework for applied research and lighting practice based upon an emerging understanding of circadian photobiology. New technologies, including light sources, will have to be considered as well as new lighting standards. Author(s): Rea, Mark S., John D. Bullough, and Mariana G. Figueiro. Title: "Phototransduction for Human Melatonin Suppression" Journal Title: Journal of Pineal Research 32 (2002): 209-213 ABSTRACT: View Abstract Author(s): Rea, Mark S., John D. Bullough, and Mariana G. Figueiro. Title: "The Future of Light." Journal Title: Light & Health Research Foundation Proceedings: Symposium Healthy Lighting...at Work and at Home, for Increased Well Being, Comfort and Performance. Eindhoven, The Netherlands: Light & Health Research Foundation (2002). ABSTRACT: There is no question that light regulates the timing of the human circadian system. One clear example is the ability of light of sufficient intensity to suppress melatonin concentration in the bloodstream. Our understanding of the timing, intensities and spectra of light required to impact the circadian system has progressed very rapidly over the past several years. Author(s): Figueiro, Mariana G., Mark S. Rea, Richard G. Stevens, and Anne C. Rea. Title: "Daylight and Productivity - A Field Study." Journal Title: Teaming for Efficiency: 2002 ACEEE Summer Study on Energy Efficiency in Buildings: Washington, DC: American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (2002). ABSTRACT: Although it is well documented that lighting controls in combination with daylighting in offices can save up to one-half the lighting energy in commercial building, the positive impacts of daylight on productivity, human health and well-being may be more compelling reasons to incorporate daylight into the designs of buildings. There is growing evidence that light can impact human circadian systems and that the light intensities and spectra needed to activate the circadian system are different from those needed to activate the visual system. Lack of bright light exposure during the day may result in disruption of the circadian system and lead to feelings of depression; poor sleep quality, lethargy and even illness. Based on these speculations, it was hypothesized that people working in interior offices would spend less time in their offices and would be less productive than a matched group of people in windowed offices. This study looked into the occupancy rates, amounts of time subjects spent on work related tasks, and electric lighting operation in daylit and interior offices. The results showed no difference in occupancy, but people in windowed offices spent significantly more time (15%) on work-related tasks than people in interior offices. Regarding electric lighting operation, energy waste (lights on when office is unoccupied) in interior office was greater (28% of the time observed) than in windowed offices (13% of the time observed). Energy savings (lights off when office is occupied) occurred only in windowed offices (18% of the times observed). Author(s): Stevens, Richard G., and Mark S. Rea. Title: "Light in the Built Environment: Potential Role of Circadian Disruption in Endocrine Disruption and Breast Cancer." Journal Title: Cancer Causes and Control 12 (2001): 279-287. ABSTRACT: View Abstract Author(s): Rea, Mark, John D. Bullough, and Marianna. Figueiro. Title: "Human Melatonin Suppression by Light: a Case for Scotopic Efficiency." Journal Title: Neuroscience Letters 299 (2001): 45-48. ABSTRACT: View Abstract Author(s): Bullough, John, Mark S. Rea, and Richard G. Stevens. Title: "Light and Magnetic Fields in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit." Journal Title: Bioelectromagnetics 17 (1996): 396-405. Author(s): Bullough, John, and Mark S. Rea. Title: "Lighting for Neonatal Intensive Care Units: Some Critical Information of Design." Journal Title: Lighting Research and Technology 28.4 (1996): 189-198.