IS LIGHT-AT-NIGHT A HEALTH RISK FACTOR OR A HEALTH RISK PREDICTOR?
Abstract
In 2007, the IARC (WHO) has classified "shift-work that involves circadian disruption" as potentially carcinogenic. Ample evidence leaves no doubt that shift-work is detrimental for health, but the mechanisms behind this effect are not well understood. The hormone melatonin is often considered to be a causal link between night shift and tumor development. The underlying "light-at-night" (LAN) hypothesis is based on the following chain of arguments: melatonin is a hormone produced under the control of the circadian clock at night, and its synthesis can be suppressed by light; as an indolamine, it potentially acts as a scavenger of oxygen radicals, which in turn can damage DNA, which in turn can cause cancer. Although there is no experimental evidence that LAN is at the basis of increased cancer rates in shiftworkers, the scenario "light at night can cause cancer" influences research, medicine, the lighting industry and (via the media) also the general public, well beyond shiftwork. It is even suggested that baby-lights, TVs, computers, streetlights, moonlight, emergency lights, or any so-called "light pollution" by urban developments cause cancer via the mechanisms proposed by the LAN hypothesis. Our commentary addresses the growing concern surrounding light pollution. We revisit the arguments of the LAN theory and put them into perspective regarding circadian physiology, physical likelihood (e.g., what intensities reach the retina), and potential risks, specifically in non-shiftworkers.
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Epidemiologic studies that suggest light involvement in health risk mainly provide indirect evidence.
“Therefore, epidemiologic studies that suggest light involvement in health risk 93, 94 mainly provide indirect evidence.”
From The inner clock-Blue light sets the human rhythm (2019) · cites this paper as [94]
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“In 2007, IARC (WHO) corroborated this by classifying “shift-work that involves circadian disruption” as potentially carcinogenic [70].”
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“These disruptions of the synthesis and release of hormones by inappropriate timed bright light increase the risk of breast cancer, prostate cancer, obesity, diabetes, and depression (Kantermann and Roenneberg, 2009; Shi et al., 2013; Smarr et al., 2017; Wu et al., 2011).”
BackgroundKim, K., Choi, J. W., Lee, E., Cho, Y. M., & Ahn, H. R. (2015) · Environmental Science and Pollution Research · doi:10.1007/s11356-015-4107-5 · Cited by 25 · see citing works
“…of Environmental Health Science, Graduate School of Public Health, Korea University, 73, Inchon-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul 136-705, Republic of Korea and circadian rhythms, which may lead to obesity and breast cancer (Kantermann and Roenneberg 2009; Kronfeld-Schor and Einat 2012; Anisimov et al. 2012).”
BackgroundHurley, S. E., Nelson, D. O., Garcia, E., Gunier, R. B., Hertz, A., & Reynolds, P. (2013) · International Journal of Health Geographics · doi:10.1186/1476-072x-12-39 · Cited by 24 · see citing works
“While there is fairly strong evidence that indoor artificial light-at-night (LAN) is sufficient to suppress melatonin levels in humans, it is not known whether outdoor environmental light pollution is sufficient to exert a similar effect [1,3,19].”
BackgroundNoisy and individual, but doable
Kantermann, T., Wehrens, S. M. T., Ulhôa, M. A., Moreno, C. R. D. C., & Skene, D. J. (2012) · Progress in brain research · doi:10.1016/b978-0-444-59427-3.00022-8 · Cited by 23 · see citing works
“Little is known about how these individual factors interact at an economic, social, and biological level and how these interacting factors then affect health (Kantermann and Roenneberg, 2009; Kantermann et al., 2010; Knutsson, 2004; Wang et al., 2011).”
BackgroundSelf-citationComputer Screen Use Detection Using Smart Eyeglasses
Wahl, F., Kasbauer, J., & Amft, O. (2017) · Frontiers in ICT · doi:10.3389/fict.2017.00008 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
Defense Meteorological Satellite Program data should no longer be used for epidemiological studies
Kyba, C. C. M. (2016) · Chronobiology International · doi:10.1080/07420528.2016.1189432 · Cited by 19 · see citing works
Bobu, C., Sandu, C., Laurent, V., Felder‐Schmittbuhl, M., & Hicks, D. (2013) · Europe PMC (PubMed Central) · Cited by 18 · see citing works
Pineal Neurosteroids: Biosynthesis and Physiological Functions
Haraguchi, S., & Tsutsui, K. (2020) · Frontiers in Endocrinology · doi:10.3389/fendo.2020.00549 · Cited by 17 · see citing works
Ingrained city rhythms: flexible activity timing but more persistent circadian pace in urban birds
Tomotani, B., Timpen, F., & Spoelstra, K. (2023) · Proceedings of the Royal Society B · doi:10.1098/rspb.2022.2605 · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Extended exposure to dietary melatonin reduces tumor number and size in aged male mice
Sharman, E. H., Sharman, K. G., & Bondy, S. C. (2010) · Experimental Gerontology · doi:10.1016/j.exger.2010.09.004 · Cited by 15 · see citing works
“…been carried out on populations such as night workers exposed to abnormal circadian rhythms (Schernhammer and Schulmeister, 2007), and the IARC unit of the World Health Organization has classified circadian rhythm-disrupting shift-work as potentially carcinogenic (Kantermann and Roenneberg, 2009).”
Wahl, F., Kantermann, T., & Amft, O. (2014) · ACM International Symposium on Wearable Computers (ISWC) · doi:10.1145/2634317.2634346 · Cited by 14 · see citing works
“Kantermann and Roenneberg [3] warn that light exposure during the night can damage DNA, which may lead to cancer.”
BackgroundSelf-citationChronodisruption, cell cycle checkpoints and DNA repair.
Ben‐Shlomo, R. (2014) · PubMed · Cited by 11 · see citing works
Pottharst, M., & Könecke, B. (2013) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-94-007-6425-5_3 · Cited by 10 · see citing works
“The causality of this theory can presumably not be dismissed completely, but most of the evidence has been obtained from experiments working with pharmacological doses of melatonin (Kantermann and Roenneberg 2009).”
BackgroundWake Up Time, Light, and Mood in a Population Sample Age 40-64 Years
Endo, T., Kripke, D. F., & Ancoli‐Israel, S. (2015) · Psychiatry Investigation · doi:10.4306/pi.2015.12.2.177 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Wahl, F., & Amft, O. (2018) · Proceedings of the ACM on Interactive Mobile Wearable and Ubiquitous Technologies · doi:10.1145/3264949 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
“Long-term circadian misalignment poses health risks, e.g. obesity and cancer [19, 25].”
BackgroundCurrent role and future perspectives of electroacupuncture in circadian rhythm regulation
Yuan, M., Lu, W., Lan, Y., Yang, J., Yin, J., & Wang, D. (2023) · Heliyon · doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e15986 · Cited by 9 · see citing works
Bhattarai, D., & Lucieer, A. (2024) · International Journal of Digital Earth · doi:10.1080/17538947.2024.2324941 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
“However, recent research has also identi fi ed ANTL as a potential risk factor for human health (Blask 2009; Cho et al. 2015; Davis and Mirick 2006; Kantermann and Roenneberg 2009; Stevens et al. 2014), the environment (Hölker et al. 2021; Hu, Hu, and Huang 2018; Meng et al. 2022; Silva et al. 2017;…”
Does ambient light at night reduce total melatonin production?
Kyba, C. C. M., & Kantermann, T. (2015) · HORMONES · doi:10.14310/horm.2002.1613 · Cited by 6 · see citing works
Self-citationDoes ambient light at night reduce total melatonin production?
Kyba, C. C. M., & Kantermann, T. (2016) · HORMONES · doi:10.1007/bf03401415 · Cited by 5 · see citing works
Self-citationProcesses Underlying Chronodisruption and Their Proposed Association with Illness
Reiter, R. J., Liu, X., Manchester, L. C., Rosales‐Corral, S., Tan, D., & Pérez, J. A. M. (2012) · Springer eBooks · doi:10.1007/978-1-4614-5082-5_4 · Cited by 4 · see citing works
Framing exposure to excessive and improper lighting as light-public health
Ancillotti, M., Conticelli, E., Tondelli, S., & Mascalzoni, D. (2025) · Discover Public Health · doi:10.1186/s12982-025-00765-6 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
“In 2009, Kantermann and Noerreberg [79] expressed reservations about interpreting artificial light at night as a health risk factor.”
Müller, H., Moeller, S., Ott, B., Maihöfner, C., & Sperling, W. (2015) · Leisure Studies · doi:10.1080/02614367.2015.1055294 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
“…their circadian rhythm must be frequently adapted to their changing sleep-and-work rhythm, which does not follow daylight as a timer (Coogan & Thome, 2011; Halberg, Carandente, Cornelissen, & Katinas, 1977; Kantermann & Roenneberg, 2009; Portaluppi, Smolensky, & Touitou, 2010; Stehle et al., 2011).”
BackgroundSlišković, A. (2010) · Archives of Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology · doi:10.2478/10004-1254-61-2010-2036 · Cited by 3 · see citing works
Relevance of Chronobiology to the Research and Clinical Practice of Neurorehabilitation
Portaluppi, F., Smolensky, M. H., Haus, E. L., & Fabbian, F. (2012) · Sleep Medicine Clinics · doi:10.1016/j.jsmc.2012.08.005 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
Ramlau‐Hansen, C. H., Håkonsen, L. B., Christensen, M. H., Bonde, J. P., Olsen, J., & Thulstrup, A. M. (2011) · Scandinavian Journal of Work Environment & Health · doi:10.5271/sjweh.3164 · Cited by 2 · see citing works
“Light at night suppresses melatonin production, which may lead to accumulation of oxygen radicals and possible DNA damage (25).”
BackgroundLight Pollution Associated with Delayed Sleep Time: A Major Hygienic Problem in Saudi Arabia
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Light Exposure and Melatonin among Rotating Shift Nurses—Letter
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“In the analysis of a potential link between shift work, light-at-night, melatonin and health outcomes, "light pollution" can have many different aspects (3).”
BackgroundPortaluppi, F. (2011) · Biological Rhythm Research · doi:10.1080/09291016.2011.613619 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
“(Kantermann and Roenneberg 2009; Reinberg et al. 2010; Selvi et al. 2010) and missed 16 articles dealing with disruptions of cycles of bodily functions or activities (Ackermann et al. 2009; Bayarri et al. 2009; Canal et al. 2009; Cayetanot et al. 2009; Edwards and Waterhouse 2009; Farhat et al.…”
BackgroundThe health impacts of environmental nuisances and their contribution to health inequities - a review
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Role of circadian clock genes in the regulation of cell cycle processes.
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Current Directions in Space Exploration
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Chronotype and Health: The Role of Moderators and Mediators in Shaping Outcomes
Kalra, Y., & Kour, P. (2025) · Chronobiology in Medicine · doi:10.33069/cim.2025.0007 · Cited by 1 · see citing works
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Bedeutung des circadianen Rhythmus für organisch bedingte Erkrankungen
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Circadian biology of songbirds : endogenous and environmental components
Lehmann, M. (2014) · KOPS (University of Konstanz)
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Natural Light Exposure as a Potential 7th Pillar of Lifestyle Medicine
Tremblay-Laliberté, M., & Tremblay, A. (2026) · American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine · doi:10.1177/15598276261485285
- Authors
- Kantermann, T., & Roenneberg, T.
- Affiliations
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München (DE)
- Corresponding author
- Roenneberg, Till
- Venue
- Chronobiology International
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2009-08
- Volume
- 26
- Issue
- 6
- Pages
- 1069-1074
- ISSN
- 0742-0528 (ISSN-L)
- 1525-6073
- OpenAlex
- W2019145962
- Cited by
- 76
- References
- 44
- Citations by year
- 2026: 1 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 2 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 2 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 5 · 2018: 5 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 5 · 2015: 7 · 2014: 8 · 2013: 6 · 2012: 10
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Chronobiology International (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- University of Groningen research database (University of Groningen / Centre for Information Technology) (publishedVersion)
- University of Groningen research database (University of Groningen / Centre for Information Technology) (submittedVersion)
- Topics
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Circadian rhythm and melatonin
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Global and Planetary Change › Impact of Light on Environment and Health
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Sleep and Work-Related Fatigue
- Keywords
- light at night, light pollution, shift work, circadian rhythm disruption, melatonin, cancer risk, circadian clock, DNA damage, oxidative stress, health risk factors, health risk prediction
- MeSH terms
- Circadian Rhythm, Environmental Exposure, Humans, Light, Neoplasms, Risk Factors, Chronobiology Disorders
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