What is Natural Full Spectrum Light and What Are Its Uses?
Lately, full-spectrum light has received a great deal of media attention regarding the effects of artificial light on human health and eyes. Full-spectrum light manufacturers such as Ott-Lite, a pioneer in this kind of photobiological research, market the benefits of all natural lighting. But what exactly is full-spectrum light? It is light that covers the electromagnetic spectrum from infrared through near-ultraviolet, or all wavelengths that are useful to plant or animal life. Sunlight is considered full spectrum, even though the solar spectral distribution reaching Earth varies with atmospheric conditions, latitude, and time of day. The term “full-spectrum” originated when photobiologist, Dr. John Nash Ott, described electric light sources (in the 1960’s) that simulate the visible and ultraviolet (UV) spectrum of natural light. There are many companies who sell electric lighting products that are marketed as full-spectrum. Some of these companies promise full spectrum lamps that the
