Ramblin’ Prose

Overnight shift to be classified as probable cancer cause - CNN.com
However, scientists suspect that overnight work is dangerous because it disrupts the circadian rhythm, the bodys biological clock. The hormone melatonin, which can suppress tumor development, is normally produced at night.

If the graveyard shift theory eventually proves correct, millions of people worldwide could be affected. Experts estimate that almost 20 percent of the working population in developed countries work night shifts.

Not good.

I spent nearly 18 years of my journalism career working nights. There were grumblings at the papers I worked at about a night differential for copy desk and night reporters and editors. But that usually happened at the big papers and union shops.

I still end up sometimes staying up into the wee hours of the morning and getting up early. But now that it doesn’t it’s nice to not have to pull the night shift anymore.

With this news, there’s one less thing to worry about.