Light management for counteracting night work fatigue and circadian maladaption
Light Management for Night Shift Adaptation
The GreenLIGHT System is the Optimal Tool to Enhance Nightwork Performance
Fatigue is increasingly recognized as a major problem in work places requiring night work.
Maintaining alertness at night is crucial in environments where impaired judgment can put safety at risk.
Working at night also adversely affects the health and well being of workers. The problems of working at night are related to
the misalingnment of the workers' internal body clock with their activities. Night workers have to fight
their bodies' tendency to sleep and repair itself while they are working, and then try to sleep during the day
when brain is alert and the cardiovascular system is up-regulated. Sunnex Biotechnologies GreenLIGHT System
is the only practical technology that can be used in the workplace to align the night worker's body clock with the
night work schedule, and thereby alleviate the problems caused by working at night.
Sunnex Biotechnologies GreenLIGHT System utilizes a patented low-intensity narrow spectrum technology.
While white light is often used in research trials to demonstrate the benefits of aligning circadian rhythms with night work
schedules, these studies have determined that intensities between 5,000 and 10,000 lux of white
light are most successful in effectively shifting the human body clock to align it with a night
work schedule. However, this high intensity of light is generally not practical in the
workplace, and may be harmful to the eye. Moderate levels of white light intensity in the range of 1,000 - 2000
lux were found to be not effective. Sunnex Biotechnologies' GreenLIGHT System utilizes a patented
low-intensity light technology (under 300 lux) that shifts human circadian rhythms to an
equivalent extent as does 5,000- 10,000 lux of white light.
The Canadian Defence Department's R&D Centre recently conducted an independent study to select the optimal
phototherapeutic device to improve performance in a night work adaptation program. The study, comparing
the low intensity Sunnex Biotechnologies GreenLIGHT tower model with higher intensity devices, concluded:
"The [Sunnex Biotechnologies] light tower was the best device, producing melatonin suppression and circadian
phase change while relatively free of side effects."
GreenLIGHT technology in the U.S. Coast Guard's CEMS program as a Fatigue Countermeasure
For several years the U.S. Coast Guard Research and Development Center tested the effectiveness of low intensity
green light for suppressing melatonin and shifting circadian rhythms to align the internal body clock of night workers
with their work schedule. Using lamps provided by Sunnex Biotechnologies that emit specific wavelengths of light
which incorporate the patented technology used in the GreenLIGHT System, these trials have been conducted in the
laboratory and on operating Coast Guard cutters and commercial vessels.
In collaboration with American Waterways Operators, the U.S. Coast Guard developed a Crew Endurance Management
Program to counter accidents caused by fatigue during the night on commercial inland and coastal tow boats,
as well as to improve the health and well being of crew members working at night.
Based on the results of the studies conducted with Sunnex Biotechnologies lamps, low intensity
green light has beeen endorsed for light management in the Crew Endurance Management System for
commercial vessels to increase operational safety and crew alertness on vessels operating on
inland and coastal waterways. Low intensity GreenLIGHT lamps are even used in the wheelhouse during night time operation.
For maritime vessel applications
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The GreenLIGHT System is Suitable for Any Work Site and Flexible on the Job
In today's 24-7 world alertness is essential for operating complex equipment, and judgments made in
the control room can have a major impact on operational safety. An effective light management
program can be very flexible and be implemented in a manner that does not interfere with
workplace activities. Exposure need not be continuous, and effective lighting can be applied indirectly,
without the need to look directly at the light source.
Whether in a lumber mill or in a nuclear power plant, Sunnex Biotechnologies light management with
low intensity GreenLIGHT System can help provide a healthier and more productive work environment
for night shift workers. As part of a night work counter-fatigue program, the GreenLIGHT System can be
used to improve alertness and performance on the job, while countering the adverse health effects associated
with night shift work.
The GreenLIGHT System is Safe for the Eyes
Sunnex Biotechnologies' GreenLIGHT System provides a low-intensity, non-UV light source that filters out the harmful wavelengths of visible light, the blue rays, contained in white and full-spectrum lighting. Blue light is the most hazardous form of visible light, causing oxidative damage in the retina and contributing to the development of age-related blindness. By eliminating the "blue light hazard, " this low-intensity green light technology eliminates the risk of eye damage inherent from repetitious exposure to bright or blue light. The GreenLIGHT System is therefore suitable for all users, irrespective of age or ocular condition.
Sunnex Biotechnologies' GLS Eyewear: An Essential Part of the GreenLIGHT System
The Sunnex Biotechnologies GreenLIGHT System improves nighttime performance due to its effect on the internal body clock.
In order to maintain the benefit of the nighttime exposure to the Sunnex green light, exposure to morning sunlight, which can counter-act the night time light exposure, must be minimized. Sunnex Biotechnologies has developed fashionable GLS Eyewear that can be incorporated into the GreenLIGHT System for workers who will be exposed to morning sunlight, either while on the job on while traveling home from work. This unique eyewear is an essential part of the GreenLIGHT System, blocking the opposing effect of morning sunlight while allowing normal activity and travel
GreenLIGHT System Custom Solutions
A variety of fixtures are available to be utilized in Sunnex Biotechnologies GreenLIGHT System. Since each individual workplace contains unique work environments and working conditions, we recommend that independent experts be consulted to help integrate this technology in your workplace. These experts should be familiar with Sunnex Biotechnologies patented technology and be able to integrate the GreenLIGHT System into a fatigue countermeasures program to improve workplace safety and the health and performance of night workers.
The customized integration of GreenLIGHT System lighting and eyewear into your work environment is the final essential component of Sunnex Biotechnologies' Green-Light System.
To see a product list of GreenLIGHT fixtures
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