In The Dark

Found an interesting article today about potential correlations between "light pollution" (exposure to artificial light at night when we're supposed to be sleeping) and risk of cancer. Apparently the light pollution exposure affects the body's natural rhythms and production of hormones which can then exacerbate cancer risks. I'd like to see more studies before I buy into that all the way (though it sounds somewhat plausible)...but I was also intrigued by:

"The blue/green light is what is emitted from TVs , computers, clock radios and other gadgets (cell phones, Blackberry's, etc) or from what Roberts calls “light trespass,” which comes in from the outside, through your windows. 'Light from the blue region stimulates a ‘wake up’ circadian response in the body and blocks the production of melatonin in the brain.'

The same thing happens if you get up in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom and turn the light on. Stevens recommends using a red night light instead, because red light does not suppress melatonin production. "

I'm not convinced that a few seconds of bright bathroom light is going to make all that much of a difference to the amount of sleep I get...but, I've also never liked blinding myself in the middle of the night, however briefly. So, I think they might be on to something with the whole red light thing anyhow.