Lakeville, MA Among Communities With Light Pollution Regulations

When we think of pollution, we tend to think of air and water pollution. Most of us have grown up near or not far from the polluted Acushnet River and New Bedford Harbor, which is nearing clean-up completion after decades.

Air quality alerts can disrupt outdoor summertime activities. The experts advise us to stay indoors and take it easy when the air quality is poor.

Another form of pollution is light pollution. Most believe light pollution to be no more than an inconvenience as it diminishes our ability to view the night sky, but there is more to it than that.

READ MORE: Portsmouth Neighbors Win Two-Year Battle Over Light Pollution

Boston.com cites research indicating that light pollution "is known to confuse and kill migrating birds, nesting turtles, and other forms of wildlife" and, according to an American Medical Association report, can lead to increased risk of human health issues, including "increased risks of diabetes, cancer, and cardiovascular disease."

Dark Sky Massachusetts says around 60 Massachusetts communities have "adopted some form of outdoor-lighting regulation" to reduce the threat of light pollution.

They include Barnstable, Dighton, Lakeville, Nantucket, Orleans and Provincetown. A complete list is on the Dark Sky website.

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Dark skies make for great stargazing.

The Appalachian Mountain Club recommends Wachusett Mountain (watch out for Bigfoot) and says for even darker skies, check out the Petersham State Forest.

The NOAA National Geophysical Data Center has posted color-coded satellite images showing the extent of light pollution over Massachusetts.

Massachusetts is one of the few states in the northeast that has yet to adopt light pollution legislation.

Boston.com says, "There is one good thing about light pollution: it's reversible."