UV Radiation from Oriel Lamp Sources

Our deuterium and arc lamp sources, spectral calibration lamps, Solar Simulators and Flood Exposure Sources produce UV with wavelengths down to 180 nm and below, depending on the lamp and the envelope material o the lamp !the optics on the lamp housing ma" bloc# the shorter UV wavelengths$% Our &uart' (ungsten )alogen Sources emit some radiation down to **0 nm% (he UV intensit" levels rom some o these sources ma" be higher than those rom the sun, and shorter wavelengths ma" be present% +are ull" read this discussion as well as the Sa et" ,nstructions that are included with ever" UV source we ship, be ore operating the source%

Exposure Hazards
Exposure to UV radiation, even or short periods o time, can be ha'ardous% (he damage depends upon the exposure time, the intensit" o the radiation, the wavelength, and the individual-s sensitivit" to UV% Since we cannot sense !see$ UV radiation, we are not protected b" an" aversion or blin# response%

The Skin
UV. and UV+ cause sunburn !er"thema$ and pigmentation !tanning$% /ong0term exposure results in loss o s#in elasticit" !premature aging$% (here is a well established connection between wavelengths below 1*0 nm and s#in cancer !basal cell and s2uamous cell carcinoma$ and growing concern over possible longer wavelength involvement% 3ction spectra or carcinogenesis pea# at 4 *50 nm%

The Eye

+orneal absorption o UV. and UV+ ma" cause con6unctivitis and a corneal in lammation called photo #eratitis% ,nitial s"mptoms o photo #eratitis are7 slight discom ort, which, a ter prolonged exposure, can develop into a temporar" "et severe discom ort, an inabilit" to loo# at bright light, and the loss o clear vision% +on6unctivitis !welder-s e"e$ produces an uncom ortable sensation, similar to sand in the e"e% Our innocuous pencil st"le mercur" calibration lamps can cause this problem% 8rolonged exposure to longer ultraviolet radiation, particularl" UV3, ma" cause cataracts to orm in the e"e lens% /onger wave UV3 ma" also penetrate to the retina and result in 9blue blindness:%

Fig. 2 Threshold Limit Values for occupational exposure to ultraviolet radiation in an 8 hour period. These values for exposure of the eye or the skin apply to UV radiation from arcs, gas and vapor discharges, fluorescent and incandescent sources, and solar radiation, ut they do not apply to UV lasers. !"#$%& %'()* +,-./0,12,--,/2

UV Safety

recautions

(he simplest thing to do i "ou don-t need the ultraviolet is to get rid o it at the source% Use a lens or ilter to accomplish this% , "ou re2uire the UV then there are several precautions "ou should ta#e to minimi'e exposure and reduce the ha'ards% /imit access to areas where UV sources are used 8ost warning signs at the entrance to labs or other wor# areas using UV sources ;ear protective e"ewear and gloves +over arms and nec# and limit exposure time <ever loo# directl" at the beam Use a manual or electronic shutter to close the beam when the source is not in use

Use enclosed beam paths where possible

Safety !uidelines
(he U%S% <ational ,nstitute or Occupational Sa et" and )ealth !<,OS)$ recommends that exposure to UV energ" be controlled and limited in the wor# place% =ecommended maximum exposures are available, but these do not appl" to photosensitive individuals or those exposed to photosensiti'ers% (he total intensit" rom 1*0 to >00 nm hitting an unprotected e"e should not exceed 10 ; m0* or periods longer than 1000 seconds% For shorter exposure times, the energ" densit" should not exceed 10> ? m0*%

What is ultraviolet (UV) light? UV light is a type of electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength (180-400 nm) shorter than that of visible light, b t longer than !-rays, comprised of UV", UV# and UV$ bands% UV" is the least ha&ardo s, while UV$ is the most ha&ardo s% 't is sometimes referred to as (germicidal light%) What hazards are associated with UV light? UV e*pos re is not immediately felt+ the ser may not reali&e the danger ntil after the damage is done% ,ymptoms can occ r 4--4 ho rs after e*pos re% UV light levels emitted from some UV e. ipment greatly e*ceed nat ral levels% /amage can occ r with only a few seconds of e*pos re% 0here is a c m lative ris1 of harm% Risks to eyes - UV light can enter from all angles% # rns to the eyes are s ally more painf l and serio s than s1in b rns% UV e*pos re can ca se a variety of oc lar disorders2 i% 3hoto1eratitis ((welder4s flash)) is a painf l inflammation ca sed by UV-ind ced lesions on the cornea (the eye covering)% ,ymptoms incl de bl rred vision, e*treme tearing, and a (sand-li1e) feeling in the eye that can last a few days% $orneal cells are replaced every 48 ho rs% $ataracts 5 clo diness of the lens of the eye may arise from chronic UV e*pos re% iii% 3terygi m 5 tiss e growth on the white of the eye which may e*tend to the cornea and bloc1 vision% iv% $ancer 5 of the s1in aro nd the eye% v% "ge-related mac lar degeneration 5 UV e*pos re may contrib te to degeneration of the retina and loss of vision% Risks to skin2 i% 6rythema (s nb rn) 5 0his varies with amo nt of e*pos re% 0hose with fair s1in are more s sceptible% $ertain medicines (e%g% birth control pills), prod cts (e%g% containing coal tar) and foods (e%g%limes) can e*aggerate the effects% ii% iii% 3remat re s1in ageing and wrin1les (chronic e*pos re)% ,1in cancer (chronic e*pos re)

ii%

What laboratory equipment or procedures produce UV light? #iological ,afety $abinet 7aminar 8low 9ood $rosslin1er : ,tratalin1er 8l orescence /etector 8l orometer

 937$ ;achine 'mage ,tation ;ineralight ,pectrometer ,pectrophotometer UV <el /oc1 UV ;icroscopes UV 0ransill minator Equipment (continued) UV-Vis /etector ;erc ry vapo r lamps with bro1en or missing envelopes Precautions to be ta en when using UV light Engineering Controls i% $ontainment:7ocation 5 7imit access to those wor1ing directly with the e. ipment by locating e. ipment in a separate room or a low traffic area% Use UV-absorbing glass or plastic shields% ii% 'nterloc1s 5 ,ome e. ipment has b ilt-in interloc1 devices that prevent operation when safety may be compromised% =ever tamper with interloc1s, and repair when damaged% iii% 6liminate >eflection 5 ;any s rfaces, especially shiny ones, reflect UV rays% 'f possible, paint s ch s rfaces with non-UV-reflecting material% iv% $hec1 safety e. ipment to ens re that it is rated for the wavelength in se% v% $lose the sash hood completely if sing UV lights in a #,$% Administrative Controls i% 0raining 5 3ersonnel sho ld be trained in correct and safe proced res% ii% ?arning ,igns 5 "ll potentially dangero s areas sho ld be conspic o sly labelled with warning signs e%g% (UV 9"@">/-3>A06$0 6B6, "=/ ,C'=) Personal Protection i% ii% 7imit time and distance when wor1ing with UV-prod cing e. ipment% ?ear lab coat and long pants%

iii% <loves 5 =itrile gloves are recommended, b t other ha&ards also need to be considered in choosing the correct glove% =ote that wrist areas are often left nprotected% iv% <lasses sho ld wrap aro nd and be "=,'-@8D rated% =ormal eyeglasses:contacts offer very little protectionE v% 8ace ,hield 5 is preferred as it protects more s1in area% 3eople commonly forget to protect their chin and nec1%