Analyzing potential correlations between light exposure and skin temperature in a climate chamber

Abstract

Interactions between occupants and buildings are mediated by physiological and psychological stimuli, which may interfere in the perception of environmental variables. Among these variables, recent studies have shown that daylight may play a relevant role both in terms of light and thermal perception of the built environment, as well as in complex physiological mechanisms not directly related to vision. These include secretion of hormones linked to the regulation of sleep-wake cycles and body thermal homeostasis. The study aimed to explore relationships between light-related variables as colour and intensity and changes in skin temperature (Tsk) of male subjects (n = 16) in a thermally controlled environment with varying light exposure conditions (dynamic light versus static electric light). Tsk during the morning hours was found to be significantly related to daylight availability. Results suggest that the suppression of the variability of brightness and correlated colour temperature (CCT) encountered in natural light can affect the rate of Tsk variation and lead to possible circadian dysfunctions.