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Table 6. Examples of exposure situations from artificial light for the general population

Time/duration of exposure Location Type of lighting Distance to light source Number of light sources
(single versus distributed
light sources)
Illuminance level Physical parameters potentially triggering health effects
8 h Office Linear fluorescent and CFLs (LEDs for task lights) Ceiling fixtures: minimum 1.50 m

Task light: minimum 20 cm
Distributed large
surface light sources

(Except for task
lights)
500 lx (general lighting)

[up to 1,000 lx for architects and designers working posts]
UVR: Unlikely (1)

Blue light: Possible (2)

Thermal: None
8 h (for workers)
1-2h for customers on average
Supermarkets/ general stores Linear fluorescent and CFLs for general lighting

LEDs and low power metal halide lamps (spots) for accentuation lighting
Ceiling fixtures: minimum 2 m

Accentuation lighting: variable distance
Distributed, large surface light sources for general lighting

Spots and projectors for accentuation lighting
750 lx (general lighting)

Accentuation lighting
can use high
brightness spots
(>20,000 cd/m2)
UVR: Unlikely (1)

Blue light: Possible (2)

Thermal: None
½-3 h for performers,
presenters etc.
TV studios Linear fluorescent and CFLs for general lighting

LEDs and halide lamps projectors
Ceiling fixtures: minimum 2-3 m

Projectors: 3-4 m but close to the line of sight
Distributed, large
surface light sources
for general lighting

Projectors with white
or/and coloured light
TV-studios: about
520 lx at 90 cm from
floor

High brightness
projectors spotting
using metal halide
lamps the stage
(>20,000 cd/m2)
(retinal damage)
UVR: Unlikely (1)

Blue light: Possible (2)

Thermal: None

Glare from bright head lights may indirectly induce risks
½ to 1 ½h Night reading CFLs, LEDs,
incandescent
Minimum distance between 20 and 50cm Unique lamp with
protection, directional
lights (spots)
Variable, on average
100 lx on the book is
an indicative value
UVR: Unlikely (1)

Blue light: Possible (2), (3)

Thermal: None
6-8 h Kindergarden, schools Linear fluorescent
CFLs and LEDs for
general lighting

Spots (incandescent,
LEDs)
Ceiling fixtures:
minimum 2.5-3.0 m
Distributed, large
surface light sources
for general lighting

Spots for specific
area lighting
200-500 lx UVR: Unlikely (1)

Blue light: Possible (2), (4)

Thermal: None
1-5 min Night drivers High beams from car
in the opposite direction

Discharge lamps,
LEDs (in the future)
Distance varies from 100 m to less than 5m (car crossing situation). Truck drivers are more
exposed due to high position relative to the road surface
Projectors with very high brightness N/A UVR: Unlikely (1)

Blue light: Unlikely (2), (4)

Thermal: None

Glare from bright head lights may induce accident

 

Source: SCENIHR, Health effects of artificial light, 19 March 2012,
 3.7 Exposure and health risk scenarios, pp. 71-78.

Related publication:
Artificial Light homeHealth Effects of Artificial Light
Other Figures & Tables on this publication:

Figure 1. Electrical lighting sources technologies

Figure 2. Wavelength regions in optical radiation

Figure 3. Chromophores and their absorption bands (adapted from Jagger 1967)

Figure 4a. Interaction of UV radiation with the human eye at all ages (adapted from Sliney 2002).

Figure 4b. Specificity of optical radiation interaction with the eye of children below 9 years of age (adapted from Sliney 2002).

Figure 4c. Optical radiation interaction with the young human eye (10 years old up to young adulthood) (adapted from Sliney 2002)

Figure 4d. Optical radiation interaction with the eye of an aging human (adapted from Sliney 2002)

Figure 5. Light penetration in the skin

Table 1. Lamp parameters supplied by the European Lamp Companies Federation

Table 2. Overview of the classes of photodamage to the retina

Table 3. Interaction of light with eye tissues and chromophores

Table 4. "Light related" skin diseases

Table 5. Wavelength dependency in photosensitive diseases

Table 6. Examples of exposure situations from artificial light for the general population

Table 7. Percent increase in SCC incidence and risk at 80 years of age due to certain added UV doses

Table 8. Estimates of SCC risk

BOX I: Metrics of optical radiation and (bio-)effectiveness

Figure 6. shows the typical adverse effects of light on eye tissues as a function of wavelength.

Figure 7. Production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by rod photoreceptors exposed to blue light in vitro (adapted from Yang et al. 2003)

Figure 8. Photosynthesis of vitamin D3 and further metabolism (adapted from Dutch Cancer Society 2010)