INFLUENCE OF DAYLIGHT EXPOSURE ON WORKERS HEALTH AND SLEEP AT NORTHERN AND EQUATORIAL LATITUDES.

• Grant number: 14/01514-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research
• Start date: August 01, 2014
• End date: July 31, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Collective Health - Public Health
• Principal Investigator: Claudia Roberta de Castro Moreno
• Grantee: Claudia Roberta de Castro Moreno
• Host Investigator: Torbjorn Georg Akerstedt
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Saúde Pública (FSP). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Stockholm University, Sweden

Abstract

Light intake is a key for circadian rhythms regulation. The modern society, however, is exposed not only to natural light but also to electrical light, which inhibits sleep promotion and may disrupt the circadian temporal system. Nevertheless, we still do not know how much light we need to synchronize the circadian system to the light-dark cycle and in order to stay healthy. In previous international research collaboration with the Stress Research Institute called "Effects of light exposure and working time on biological rhythms of Brazilian rubber tappers and Swedish mining workers" we have studied sleep and depressive symptoms among Brazilian and Swedish workers. Our study suggested that the lack of exposure to natural daylight increased the perception of insufficient sleep and more frequent depressions among workers. Moreover, work schedule interferes with the entrainment to the natural light-dark cycle. These results are part of a project funded by CAPES/STINT (004/12) conducted since 2012. The present project aims to continue this international collaboration through the analysis of the expected light intake of the individual and for groups of workers in different situations. We have a unique possibility to follow workers working outside/indoors, working both at night/working during day time, working either below ground/above ground, work in winter/in spring and to investigate if meteorological data for light exposure is related to light intake of the individual and could be associated with mental health, alertness and sleep. The meteorological data for light includes UV radiation, global irradiance, direct irradiance, and sunshine duration.

Scientific publications

(6)

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

WEY, DANIELA; GAREFELT, JOHANNA; FISCHER, FRIDA M.; MORENO, CLAUDIA R.; LOWDEN, ARNE. Individual differences in the sleep/wake cycle of Arctic flexitime workers. CHRONOBIOLOGY INTERNATIONAL, v. 33, n. 10, p. 1422-1432, 2016. (14/01514-0)

MORENO, C. R. C.; VASCONCELOS, S.; MARQUEZE, E. C.; LOWDEN, A.; MIDDLETON, B.; FISCHER, M.; LOUZADA, F. M.; SKENE, D. J.. Sleep patterns in Amazon rubber tappers with and without electric light at home. SCIENTIFIC REPORTS, v. 5, SEP 11 2015. (14/01514-0, 11/19563-0)

MORENO, CLAUDIA R. C.; LOWDEN, ARNE; VASCONCELOS, SULEIMA; MARQUEZE, ELAINE C.. Musculoskeletal pain and insomnia among workers with different occupations and working hours. CHRONOBIOLOGY INTERNATIONAL, v. 33, n. 6, p. 5-pg., 2016-01-01. (11/19563-0, 14/26002-2, 14/01514-0)

MORENO, CLAUDIA R. C.; LOWDEN, ARNE; VASCONCELOS, SULEIMA; MARQUEZE, ELAINE C.. Musculoskeletal pain and insomnia among workers with different occupations and working hours. CHRONOBIOLOGY INTERNATIONAL, v. 33, n. 6, SI, p. 749-753, 2016. (14/01514-0, 11/19563-0, 14/26002-2)

MARQUEZE, ELAINE CRISTINA; VASCONCELOS, SULEIMA; GAREFELT, JOHANNA; SKENE, DEBRA J.; MORENO, CLAUDIA ROBERTA; LOWDEN, ARNE. Natural Light Exposure, Sleep and Depression among Day Workers and Shiftworkers at Arctic and Equatorial Latitudes. PLoS One, v. 10, n. 4, APR 15 2015. (14/01514-0, 11/19563-0)

LOWDEN, ARNE; LEMOS, NELSON A. M.; GONCALVES, BRUNO S. B.; OZTURK, GULCIN; LOUZADA, FERNANDO; PEDRAZZOLI, MARIO; MORENO, CLAUDIA R.. Delayed Sleep in Winter Related to Natural Daylight Exposure among Arctic Day Workers. CLOCKS & SLEEP, v. 1, n. 1, p. 12-pg., 2019-03-01. (14/01514-0)