Hidden dangers of city lights: Can streetlights increase your cancer risk?

Strolling through a city illuminated by streetlights may feel like a scene from a romcom, but beneath the charm lies an unseen threat—artificial light at night (ALAN). While it enhances modern living, mounting research suggests it may significantly impact health, including raising cancer risks.

A 2010 study by the University of Haifa revealed that exposure to nighttime artificial light disrupts the body’s biological clock, interfering with evolutionary sleep cycles. Recognizing this, the World Health Organization (WHO) has classified night shift work as a potential carcinogen due to circadian disruption.

In 2016, researchers analyzing data from 158 countries found a correlation between ALAN exposure and increased cancer rates, particularly lung, breast, colorectal, and prostate cancers. Similarly, a Harvard study in 2017 linked bright outdoor lighting to a 14% rise in breast cancer risk.

More recently, a 2021 study in CANCER, a journal of the American Cancer Society, suggested that artificial light may contribute to thyroid cancer by suppressing melatonin—a hormone with anti-tumor properties. Disrupting the body’s internal clock, or circadian rhythm, is now recognized as a cancer risk factor.

Although artificial light is integral to modern life, simple adjustments like dimming lights, using blue light filters, limiting nighttime screen use, and activating night mode on devices may help mitigate risks.

#LightPollution #CircadianHealth #CancerPrevention #SmartLighting