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Review
. 2020 Sep 10:11:622.
doi: 10.3389/fendo.2020.00622. eCollection 2020.

Artificial Light at Night (ALAN): A Potential Anthropogenic Component for the COVID-19 and HCoVs Outbreak

Zeeshan Ahmad Khan  1 , Thangal Yumnamcha  1 , Gopinath Mondal  1 , Sijagurumayum Dharmajyoti Devi  1 , Chongtham Rajiv  1 , Rajendra Kumar Labala  2   3 , Haobijam Sanjita Devi  1 , Asamanja Chattoraj  3
Affiliations
Review

Artificial Light at Night (ALAN): A Potential Anthropogenic Component for the COVID-19 and HCoVs Outbreak

Zeeshan Ahmad Khan et al. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). .

Abstract

The origin of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is zoonotic. The circadian day-night is the rhythmic clue to organisms for their synchronized body functions. The "development for mankind" escalated the use of artificial light at night (ALAN). In this article, we tried to focus on the possible influence of this anthropogenic factor in human coronavirus (HCoV) outbreak. The relationship between the occurrences of coronavirus and the ascending curve of the night-light has also been delivered. The ALAN influences the physiology and behavior of bat, a known nocturnal natural reservoir of many Coronaviridae. The "threatened" and "endangered" status of the majority of bat species is mainly because of the destruction of their proper habit and habitat predominantly through artificial illumination. The stress exerted by ALAN leads to the impaired body functions, especially endocrine, immune, genomic integration, and overall rhythm features of different physiological variables and behaviors in nocturnal animals. Night-light disturbs "virus-host" synchronization and may lead to mutation in the genomic part of the virus and excessive virus shedding. We also proposed some future strategies to mitigate the repercussions of ALAN and for the protection of the living system in the earth as well.

Keywords: ALAN; COVID-19; HCoVs; bat; melatonin; sustainability.

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Figures

Graphical Abstract
Graphical Abstract
Impact of artificial light at night on the physiology and behavior of the nocturnal animal, the bat.
Figure 1
Figure 1
Representation of the trend in research outputs associated with light pollution and climate change since the year 2000. Adapted with permission from (1).
Figure 2
Figure 2
Pixel brightness (calibrated digital number) mean value 1992–1996 (A), 2000–2004 (B), and 2008–2012 (C); Guangdong and Hong Kong were encircled as the two centers of human coronavirus (HCoV) origin. The figure is used under the terms of the Creative Commons attribution license (128).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Annual mean the defense meteorological program (DMSP) level in (formula image) the Netherlands, (formula image) China, and (formula image) Saudi Arabia from 1992 to 2013. Data were obtained from https://www.lightpollutionmap.info.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Image showing the change in the level of artificial light at night (ALAN) in Wuhan from 2012 to 2019. Data were obtained from https://www.lightpollutionmap.info.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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