High voltage lighting has serious consequences on the neurological, physiological and psychological systems of humans, and some of them are more serious than the impact of other forms of pollution.

High intensity neon signs for advertising are common in most metropolises of the world, and neon ads in Mumbai have proliferated in the last twenty years. Many of them are in residential areas like Chowpatty.

We studied the impact of neon signs on human health at Chowpatty, and our findings collaborate with scientific researches done at MIT and California Institute of Technology.

Of course, many other environmental, genetic, food and lifestyle factors too influence negative health consequences. We haven't developed any weightage system of giving a specific valence to the high intensity lights, but the data on pathological consequences of neon signs is overwhelmingly in excess of what we consider average. Amongthe many effects, the most acute are at the physiological ones: overexcitement of nerves, atrophy of neuron transmission from eyes to the brain, blood pressure, and overexcitement of the pineal gland, which triggers acidity in stomach and imbalance of the menstrual cycle. We found between 70 to 80 per cent of people exposed to neon signs fell an easy prey to these illnesses.

There are also the psychological effects: insomnia, irritation, depression, tiredness, short temper, performance reduction and mood changes. Of the people surveyed, between 50 to 60 per cent complained of lack of freshness either due to sleeplessness or incomplete sleep. About 62 per cent felt irritated during their waking hours, and almost 75 per cent complained about performance reduction.

Those who want a clean Mumbai can't allow themselves to be exposed to this insidious form of pollution. They must challenge it and see to it that authorities take all action to ban neon-light advertisements. All high-intensity lights should bebanned, not only to control waste of power, but more importantly, to protect the health of the public. Only then can people lead a healthy and joyful life in Mumbai.

(Rashmi Mayur is director, International Institute for Sustainable Future)