Light pollution: Environmental impact, health risks and facts

Jump to:Astronomy and night visionHealth risksWildlife behaviourAdditional resourcesBibliographyLight pollution, or photo pollution, is the presence of excess artificial light and is the result of urbanization and industrialization. It is only one of the many forms of pollution on Earth, alongside plastic waste, greenhouse gases and sewage.Light pollution can have serious implications for our environment and even our health. Street lighting, domestic and commercial lights, vehicles and security lights all contribute to the creation of a dome-like shield of light pollution called skyglow, according to the International Dark-Sky Association.Along with skyglow, light pollution consists of glare, light trespass and clutter. Glare relates to light that can cause direct visual discomfort, whereas light trespass is light that escapes from sources such as bedroom windows. Clutter is the excessive grouping of lights.Light pollution can also be amplified by other types of air pollution, such as...