Citizens Restoring Congamond June 13, Light Pollution

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1 Citizens Restoring Congamond June 13, 2017 Light Pollution

2 Just a little glare across the lake from dock lights can distract from the beauty of the nighttime tranquility

3 Sky Glow Air molecules Direct and reflected rays diagram Reflected Aerosols Radiated. Skyglow is caused by the downward scattering of upward light by air molecules and also aerosols, mostly water droplets and dust. The longer the path length through the lowest part of the atmosphere, the more the scattering. Light that goes straight up is mostly reflected, and has shorter paths through the lower scattering layers. The low angle light is mostly directly radiated, and it is this that causes most of the sky glow well away from the source.

4 Sky Glow Effects

5 Good Neighbor Dock Lighting Minimize Glare and Light Trespass Minimum Dock Light with no glare Solar Dock Light Lowes $35

6 Limit the Amount of Light - Reduce Cost and Light Pollution Excessive lighting Requires More Fixtures and Energy Lower light levels will reduce costs for Fixtures, installation and Energy and minimize Light pollution

7 Light Trespass The use of unshielded light fixtures which cause light and glare to cross the property line.

8 Partial Fix for Reducing Light Pollution: Use Shielded Fixtures

9 Shielded Porch Lights : bulbs do not extend below shield

10 Adverse Environmental Effects from Light at Night

11 Light Pollution and Wildlife Wildlife concerns due to obtrusive light include: Habitat Disturbance Wildlife Behavior Wildlife Survival A Few Examples: Artificial Light Contributes to an Estimated 100,000,000 Bird Deaths Annually in USA Artificial Light Contributes to Thousands of Sea Turtle Deaths Annually

12 Attraction/Repulsion For frogs, a quick increase in illumination causes a reduction in visual capability from which the recovery time may be minutes to hours After becoming adjusted to a light, frogs may be attracted to it as well

13 Light s Effect on Communication Female glow-worms attract males up to 45 m away with bioluminescent flashes; the presence of artificial lighting reduces the visibility of these communications. The complex visual communication system of fireflies could be impaired by stray light

14 Light s Effect on Community Ecology Competition for times for foraging Increased Predatory Risk Ecosystem effects long term changes in the balance

15 How Light Affects

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17 REPTILES Disorientation from artificial lighting causes thousands of hatchling deaths each year in Florida and is a significant marine turtle conservation problem

18 INSECTS Artificial lighting is extremely detrimental to many insect populations: disrupts normal flight activity long distance migrations attracts insects that don't normally move from their habitat. are effectively trapped by the light, they can be killed directly by lamp's heat they may circle the light until caught by predators, or Distant sky glow may also disrupt their migrations. Light traps are very likely changing the diversity of insects If a particular species does not reproduce rapidly enough to make up for the loss at the lights, it may disappear from the community. For insects that are important as pollinators, or predators of nuisance insects, their loss is detrimental to human communities as well.

19 FLOWERS POLLINATION One third of all human food requires a pollinator Many plants and flowers are pollinated by nocturnal insects or small animals, moths and bats Altering the lighting conditions at night can further unravel our web of life which ultimately disrupts our food sources

20 PLANTS Leaves near the Streetlight remain on the tree even after all other leaves have fallen off

21 Parental Exposure to Dim Light at Night Affects Immune System of Offspring Ohio State University study published March 31, 2017 finds hamster parents exposed to dim light levels prior to mating can result in offspring with weakened immune system.

22 Additional Ohio State Research Findings Long-term parental exposure to dim light at night (dlan) prior to breeding was sufficient to depress cell-mediated immunity in offspring. Parental dlan exposure prior to conception is sufficient to alter offspring immunological responses and embryonic development. This was the first study that connected dlan exposure of adults with a transgeneration impact on offspring

23 With Fish, Light can control 1. the secretion of several hormones that regulate the day-night-rhythm or growth. 2. essential processes like reproduction, which are partly influenced by light. 3. In commercial aquaculture continuous light is used to enhance growth of fishes by inhibiting the sexual maturation. 4. artificial light at night (light pollution) interferes with several physiological processes in fish.

24 How Light in the water affects fish Light can influence freshwater food webs Light can change predator-prey relationships Juvenile and other vulnerable fish might retreat to overhangs and reduce foraging efforts in order to avoid predation

25 American Medical Association Recommended CCT Limits for LED Streetlights 3000K June, 2016 as adopted by the AMA: That our AMA encourage the use of 3000K or lower lighting for outdoor installations such as roadways. All LED lighting should be properly shielded to minimize glare and detrimental human and environmental effects, and to utilize dimming for off-peak hours

26 American Medical Association Recommended CCT Limits for LED Streetlights 3,000 K (Kelvin) maximum Currently offered by Eversource Advisory issued June, 2016 Eversource offers standard 3000K but will vary upon written request

27 Electric Lighting at Night and Risk of Breast Cancer Nature, October 31, 2002, NEWS item by Susan Brink October 16, 2000 February, 2003 Blinded by the Light (Canadian Edition) by Janet Raloff October 17, 1998 May, 2001, page 86: People should get a dark night s sleep

28 Breast Cancer Incidence Per 100,000 women/year (age-adjusted) U.S. & W. Europe { Eastern Europe Japan (Today) Africa Japan, 1950s China From the IARC, Lyon: Parkin, DM, et al. CA Cancer J Clin, 49:33-64, 1999

29 Ways to Limit Light Pollution - Use light sources with limited short wavelength emission (AKA Blue Light content) Use Motion Sensors light only when needed Use lowest amount of light sufficient for the intended purpose Use Timers to avoid lighting all night long

30 Lighting Issues on Health and the Environment International Dark Sky Association Leo Smith contact at Thank you!

31 Leo Smith contact at Thank you!