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Full-spectrum fluorescent lighting: a review of its effects on physiology and health

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  31 July 2001

SHELLEY L. McCOLL  and
JENNIFER A. VEITCH
SHELLEY L. McCOLL
Affiliation:
From the Department of Psychology, McGill University, Montreal; and National Research Council of Canada, Institute for Research in Construction, Ottawa, Canada
JENNIFER A. VEITCH
Affiliation:
From the Department of Psychology, McGill University, Montreal; and National Research Council of Canada, Institute for Research in Construction, Ottawa, Canada
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Abstract

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Background. Full-spectrum fluorescent lighting (FSFL) has been credited with causing dramatic beneficial effects on a wide variety of behaviours, mental health outcomes and physical health effects, as compared to other fluorescent lamp types. These effects are hypothesized to occur because of similarity between FSFL emissions and daylight, which is said to have evolutionary superiority over other light sources.

Method. This review, covering the period 1941–1999, critically considers the evidence for direct effects of FSFL through skin absorption as well as indirect effects on hormonal and neural processes.

Conclusions. Overall, the evidence does not show dramatic effects of fluorescent lamp type on behaviour or health, neither does it support the evolutionary hypothesis.

Type
Review Article
Information
Psychological Medicine , Volume 31 , Issue 6 , August 2001 , pp. 949 - 964
Copyright
© 2001 Cambridge University Press