Light Pollution: Rising Problem in Malaysia

1.0 Introduction

Light pollution, also known as photo-pollution or luminous pollution, is excessive or obtrusive artificial light. Like most types of pollution it is a result of industrial civilization. Buildings and structures without efficiently planned architectural designs are sources of light pollution; these may include streetlights, skyscrapers, factories or even sporting venues such as football stadiums. Developed countries are the most affect area due to higher industrialization and technological advancements, prime examples of this are Japan and Hong Kong.

As Malaysia's economy grows there is a natural increase in construction and thus the need for further lighting infrastructure. This combined with inefficient lighting engineering and overzealous designs for impressive and imposing buildings, gradually increases the countries light pollution. Technically it can be said that an increase in development brings a proportional increase in light pollution for developing countries.

2.0 Types of Light Pollution

2.1 Light Trespass

Light trespass occurs when unwanted light enters one's property, for instance, by shinning over a neighbor's fence. A common light trespass problem occurs when a strong light enters the window of one's home from the outside, causing problems such as sleep deprivation or the blocking of an evening view.

2.2 Over-Illumination

Over-illumination is the excessive use of light. Specifically within the United States, over-illumination is responsible for approximately two million barrels of oil per day in energy wasted.

2.3 Glare

In general is the effect of being struck by intense light, resulting in blinding, disabling or discomforting affects.

2.4 Light Clutter

Light clutter refers to excessive groupings of light. Groupings of light may generate confusion, distract from obstacles (including those that they may be intended to illuminate), and potentially cause accidents.

2.5 Sky-glow

Sky-glow refers to the "glow" effect that can be seen over populated areas. It is the combination of all light reflected from what it has illuminated escaping up into the sky and from all of the badly directed light in that area that also escapes into the sky, being scattered by the atmosphere back toward the ground.

3.0 Consequences

3.1 Energy Wastage

Problems with over- illumination, glare, sky-glow and other types of light pollution boil down to the ineffective use of resources. This waste of light translates into a wastage of electric energy resulting into not only higher electric costs but adds to pollution further down the line as power plants produce an avoidable amount of waste product (e.g. carbon monoxide).

Much energy wastage is caused by "flawed" architecture and design decisions. Take the example of the twin towers again. Take for example the PETRONAS twin towers which are 452 meters tall. [6] They are also covered from top to base with exterior lighting, how much money could government save if they further economized the towers electric expenditures via the outside lighting alone?

3.2 Health Effects

The health effects of light pollution are mainly irritations. This means they bring discomfort to who ever is going through them. Headaches and migraines are common results of intense artificial light, one survey ranked over illumination as the number two trigger for migraines, with 47% of respondents reporting of bright light being the trigger of their episodes.[7] Clinical stress also results from light pollution with people in general