The healing power of full-spectrum light

Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, Jan, 2004 by Joseph G. Hattersley

Fluorescent Lighting and Melanoma

A study published in the prestigious medical journal Lancet and a Russian study found that fluorescent light rather than sunlight promotes melanoma, proportionately to the time of exposure. (29), (30) In the Lancet study, among a sample of nearly 900 women, those who worked indoors under fluorescent lighting had 2.1 times higher melanoma risk (95% confidence interval, CI, 1.32 to 3.32) than others. Among women exposed for 20 years or more, the relative risk (RR) was 2.6 (95% CI, 1.2 to 5.9). Relative risks were lower in women who had been most heavily exposed to sunlight, both playing outdoors as children and sunbathing as adults. In a smaller sample of men, the RR for fluorescent lights with 10 or more years' exposure was 4.4; and for those who had spent the least time in the sun while children, the RR was 7.3.

And so we see that lengthy exposure to full-spectrum sunlight, including trace UV, partially "immunized" both men and women against later development of melanoma. These exposures had taken place in the 1960s and 1970s, before the supposed thinning of the protective ozone layer far above us. But as we saw earlier, UV penetration of the atmosphere has not increased. (31), (32)

All this thoroughly explodes the claim that sun exposure causes malignant melanoma. In the 19 years since publication of Beral's carefully researched article in the Lancet, no one has refuted the finding. But many ignore it and could make more money if the article and its information would simply go away.

Why do fluorescent lights cause melanoma? "Emissions from such light extend into the potentially carcinogenic range." (33) Dr. Ott found that, specifically, the cathodes located at the ends of the light tubes emit X-rays and other electromagnetic pollution. Plants living under the central portion of long fluorescent light tubes grow normally; but when placed close to the ends of the tubes, their growth is abnormal and stunted. Laboratory animals placed in a cage close to the ends of these light tubes become aggressive and cannibalistic.

Dr. Ott also found that the light from fluorescent tubes, as well as TV sets and computer terminals, causes red blood cells to clump together after prolonged exposure. This reduces alertness, promotes a tired feeling and increases the risk of heart attack and stroke. (34) But when the ends of the light tubes are shielded with lead and traces of UV are added to the light, plants and animals under them grow and function normally. (35) And so wrapping the ends of fluorescent light tubes with lead tape, says Dr. Ott, is fully as important as full-spectrum light itself. (36)

Melanoma can also result from excessive exposure to sunlamps; (37) their rays and those from bright halogen lights include some of the dangerous UVC. (38) If users of sunlamps consume a junk diet, their risk of melanoma will be increased. Halogen lamps are also a serious fire hazard if they fall over or if inflammable material touches the extremely hot bulb. (39), (40)