Ultraviolet lamps, hazards

Equipment found in laboratories that can produce hazardous amounts of electromagnetic radiation includes ultraviolet lamps, arc lamps, heat lamps, lasers, microwave and radio-frequency sources, and x-rays and electron beams. 

There are at least four different kinds of equipment used in biomedical laboratories that can produce hazardous amounts of electromagnetic radiation. These are ultraviolet lamps, lasers, microwave ovens, and x- and gamma ray-producing equipment. Although ultrasonic baths do not produce electromagnetic radiation, the injury caused by this equipment is similar to that caused by microwaves thus we will discuss its use in this section. The hazards that these pieces of equipment pose and the preventive measures workers must observe are discussed in the following pages. 

Radiation Hazards. Ultraviolet light from a mercury lamp or carbon arc can be highly damaging to the eyes. Ordinary glasses give some protection, but the experimental arrangement should be well shielded so as to decrease the possibility of accidental exposure to a minimum. Prolonged exposure of the skin to such radiation can produce a severe sunburn. ... 

In areas where the possibility of fire is the greatest, a high speed ultraviolet detection system is employed. The ultraviolet eyes detect the presence of a flame and are interconnected with a high speed water deluge system. In some areas the fire detection devices have process shutdown capabilities. The detectors are situated such that the entire hazardous area can be monitored at all times. They are equipped with air shields that not only cool the detector but also blow clean air across the face of the lens, keeping any dust from accumulating on the lens, which assures detection capability. Further, the detectors have a built-in test lamp which serves as a check of... 

Hazards. Eyes and skin can be severely injured by ultraviolet radiation. One should avoid looking at the reaction mixture when the irradiation source is activated. The photochemical apparatus, especially when using immersion set-ups, must be wrapped appropriately to avoid exposure to the ultraviolet radiation. In view of the high temperatures produced by the lamp, efficient cooling is mandatory. Special care must be exercised when flammable solvents are used. Ozone is also produced, so that working in an efficient hood is essential. Furthermore, proper electrical safety is necessary to avoid high voltage shocks. 

Ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared radiation from lamps and lasers in the laboratory can produce a number of hazards. Medium-pressure Hanovia 450 Hg lamps are commonly used for ultraviolet irradiation in photochemical experiments. Powerful arc lamps can cause eye damage and blindness within seconds. Some compounds, for example, chlorine dioxide, are explosively photosensitive. 

Ions are produced in air by high temperatures or ultraviolet radiation. The ionized air can be sufficiently conductive to reduce static hazards. The static charge is conveyed by tiie ionized air firom an object to a groimding electrode located nearby. When UV lamps are used, eye protection is required. 

---