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Light Pollution Toxicology

Meaning

Light pollution toxicology refers to the study of the detrimental health effects arising from chronic, excessive, or inappropriately timed exposure to artificial light, particularly at night. This exposure is considered a toxicological agent because it disrupts the precise timing of biological processes, fundamentally altering the neuroendocrine environment. Clinically, this disruption is linked to an increased incidence of metabolic disorders, sleep impairment, and potentially certain hormone-sensitive cancers due to chronic melatonin suppression. Understanding this environmental hazard is critical for preventative medicine and public health.