Risks Of Ultraviolet Exposure - Horiba Scientific FluoroMax-4 Operation Manual

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FluoroMax -4 & FluoroMax -4P with USB rev. D (30 Jul 2012)

Risks of ultraviolet exposure

Light is subdivided into visible light, ranging from 400 nm (violet) to 700 nm (red);
longer infrared, "above red" or > 700nm, also called heat; and shorter ultraviolet
radiation (UVR), "below violet" or < 400nm. UVR is further subdivided into UV-A
or near-UV (320–400 nm), also called black (invisible) light; UV-B or mid-UV
(290–320 nm), which is more skin penetrating; and UV-C or far-UV (< 290 nm).
Health effects of exposure to UV light are familiar to anyone who has had sunburn.
However, the UV light level around some UV equipment greatly exceeds the level
found in nature. Acute (short-term) effects include redness or ulceration of the skin.
At high levels of exposure, these burns can be serious. For chronic exposures, there
is also a cumulative risk of harm. This risk depends upon the amount of exposure
during your lifetime. The long-term risks for large cumulative exposure include
premature aging of the skin, wrinkles and, most seriously, skin cancer and cataract.
Damage to vision is likely following exposure to high-intensity UV radiation. In
adults, more than 99% of UV radiation is absorbed by the anterior structures of the
eye. UVR can contribute to the development of age-related cataract, pterygium,
photodermatitis, and cancer of the skin around the eye. It may also contribute to
age-related macular degeneration. Like the skin, the covering of the eye or the cor-
nea, is epithelial tissue. The danger to the eye is enhanced by the fact that light can
enter from all angles around the eye and not only in the direction of vision. This is
especially true while working in a dark environment, as the pupil is wide open. The
Caution:
This instrument is used in conjunction with ultra-
violet light. Exposure to these radiations, even reflected
or diffused, can result in serious, and sometimes irre-
versible, eye and skin injuries.
Overexposure to ultraviolet rays threatens human health
by causing:
Immediate painful sunburn
Skin cancer
Eye damage
Immune-system suppression
Premature aging
Do not aim the UV light at anyone.
Do not look directly into the light.
Always wear protective goggles, full-face shield and skin protection
clothing and gloves when using the light source.
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Introduction