Ever since Man discovered fire, he has been lighting up the night but in modern times, night-illumination has become light pollution. Third shift workers are exposed to bright light throughout the night, electric lighting makes it possible for people to never experience complete darkness regardless of the hour.

In homes across America, hallways and children’s bedrooms are illuminated by nightlights, dispelling the darkness and alleviating fears. These tiny lights make nighttime trips to the bathroom safer and some people are not able to sleep unless there is some light. But if you sleep under full light, researchers say, it can have adverse effects on your health.

Night is when your body synthesizes melatonin, a hormone that impacts the endocrine system and prevents cancerous growth formation. Light during night hours suppresses the synthesis of melatonin. In experiments with mice, those kept under permanent light were more susceptible to chemical carcinogens and died more often under the light pollution conditions.

Light pollution also causes sleep disturbance, gastrointestinal and cardiovascular diseases, metabolic derangements and, may increase the risk of developing diabetes.

The research was done by Professor N.N. Pertov Scientific Research Institute of Oncology, Russian Ministry of Healthcare, and Petrozavodsk State University.