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07 September 2008

Answer to Question #111 Submitted to "Ask the Experts"

Category: Suntanning

The following question was answered by an expert in the appropriate field:

I'm employer of State Health in Slovak Republic. We would like realize measurements of UVB light from therapeutic sources such as private solariums, etc. I would like to know more about evaluation of human effects. Thank you.

There does exist a great deal of information on the effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation on humans, including the effects from devices such as suntanning units. The United States Food and Drug Administration has been trying to alert consumers of the hazard these devices can present for a number of years. Instrumentation is available for these measurements. Several excellent sources are available on UV exposure: Ultraviolet Radiation--Non ionizing Radiation Guide Series from the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), a good primer (including lamp/reflector geometry's), and the National Institute of Occupational Health (NIOSH) publication (73-11009): Ultraviolet Radiation (1972), available in PDF format. For instrumentation and general information try International Light which has a Web site and used to have a Light Measurement Handbook. Ken Barat Nonionizing Radiation Safety Officer Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory

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