![]() Reported UV accident scenarios often involve work near UV sources with protective coverings removed, cracked, or fallen off. Some type of emission indicator as required with laser products is rarely found. Labeling on UV sources usually consists of a caution or warning label on the product or the bulb packaging cover or a warning sign on the entryway. Sun-blocking lotions offer limited protection against UV exposure.Īccidental UV overexposure can injure unaware victims due to the fact UV is invisible and does not produce an immediate reaction. Protection from UV is provided by clothing, polycarbonate, glass, acrylics, and plastic diffusers used in office lighting. The photochemical effects of UV radiation can be exacerbated by chemical agents including birth control pills, tetracycline, sulphathizole, cyclamates, antidepressants, coal tar distillates found in antidandruff shampoos, lime oil, and some cosmetics. Most phototherapy and tanning booths use UVA lamps. UVA is needed by humans for synthesis of vitamin D however, overexposure to UVA has been associated with toughening of the skin, suppression of the immune system, and cataract formation. Atmospheric ozone absorbs very little of this part of the UV spectrum. UVA exposure has an initial pigment-darkening effect (tanning) followed by erythema if the exposure is excessive. UVA is the most commonly encountered type of UV light. ![]() Most solar UVB is blocked by ozone in the atmosphere, and there is concern that reductions in atmospheric ozone could increase the prevalence of skin cancer. ![]() Individuals working outdoors are at the greatest risk of UVB effects. UVB is needed by humans for synthesis of vitamin D however, harmful effects can include erythema (sunburn), cataracts, and development of skin cancer. UVB is typically the most destructive form of UV radiation because it has enough energy to cause photochemical damage to cellular DNA, yet not enough to be completely absorbed by the atmosphere. ![]() While UVC injury usually clears up in a day or two, it can be extremely painful. Accidental overexposure to UVC can cause corneal burns, commonly termed welders' flash, and snow blindness, a severe sunburn to the face. ![]() In humans, UVC is absorbed in the outer dead layers of the epidermis. Germicidal lamps are designed to emit UVC radiation because of its ability to kill bacteria. UVC is almost never observed in nature because it is absorbed completely in the atmosphere, as are Far UV and Vacuum UV. Unique hazards apply to the different sources depending on the wavelength range of the emitted UV radiation. Artificial sources include tanning booths, black lights, curing lamps, germicidal lamps, mercury vapor lamps, halogen lights, high-intensity discharge lamps, fluorescent and incandescent sources, and some types of lasers (excimer lasers, nitrogen lasers, and third harmonic Nd:YAG lasers). The sun is our primary natural source of UV radiation. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is defined as that portion of the electromagnetic spectrum between x rays and visible light, i.e., between 40 and 400 nm (30–3 eV). ![]()
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