Artificial Light at Night and Sleep Health Among Generation Z University Students

Artificial light at night (ALAN) is an increasingly prevalent environmental exposure associated with circadian disruption and adverse sleep outcomes. University students, particularly those belonging to Generation Z, may be especially vulnerable due to increased nighttime light exposure from electronic devices and campus environments. This study examined the relationship between light pollution exposures and sleep outcomes. A cross-sectional study design was employed using self-reported survey data collected from 109 Millersville university students. Spearman rank-order correlation analyses were conducted to evaluate associations between ALAN exposure variables and sleep-related outcomes. Results indicated that higher exposure to artificial light at night was associated with poorer sleep quality, reduced sleep duration, and increased difficulty falling asleep. These findings suggest that light pollution represents a significant and underrecognized public health concern for young adults and highlight the need for targeted interventions and policy strategies to reduce nighttime light exposure in residential and built environments.Keywords:Artificial light at night; light pollution; sleep quality; circadian rhythm; university students; public health