What are the Different Types of Light Pollution?
There are a number of different types of light pollution, each one is slightly different and in term sof the negative effect it has on the environment.:
1 – Light Spill
Light spill is quite a generic term, and is usually used in the context of artificial light that “spills” from a light source in to an area where it is not wanted.
This might include say a new flood light on the side of the building shining in to someone bedroom window.
Light spill can come from external lights, or it can been spilt out of windows.
Flood Light Mounted on a Brick Wall
2 – Glare
This is more to do with the intensity of the light source. Modern LED lights can give off a lot of glare, because the emitters are very small and very bright.
So for example, the glare from lights in a petrol filling station, if not designed correctly may emit a glare that is troublesome to nearby road users.
Glare can also be caused by reflected sunlight off a reflective build facade.
Glare from a street lamp
3 – Sky Glow (Dark Skies)
Light can spill upwards into the sky causing a phenomenon known as sky glow. This creates a glow in the sky, reducing the contrast between stars and the sky. In “dark sky areas” often there is a requirement for specific lighting design.
Flood Lights Facing Up Lots of Sky GLow Created
4 – Ecological
Light can influence the behaviour of insects. Other creatures feed on insects, and so there is an indirect impact. For example in areas where bats eat insects, lighting design should spill no more than 0.2 lux on to trees or the ground.
Insects are Attracted to Light, Modifying Behaviour of Predators
Services we Offer
We can provide:
- Light Spill Assessment for Bats
- Lighting Assessments for Adequate Lighting
- Dark Skies Assessment
- Sunlight & Daylight Assessments
