Protecting Workers from Ultraviolet Radiation - icnirp

Protecting Workers from Ultraviolet Radiation
PROTECTING WORKERS FROM ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION
Table of Contents
1. Introduction ................................................................................................................................11
2. Characteristics of UVR...............................................................................................................12
2.1 Basic Concepts........................................................................................................................12
2.2 Solar Radiation .......................................................................................................................12
2.2.1 The solar spectrum..........................................................................................................13
2.2.2 The effect of sun angles and clouds................................................................................13
2.3 Artificial Sources....................................................................................................................15
2.3.1 Germicidal lamps............................................................................................................15
2.3.2 Fluorescent lamps ...........................................................................................................15
2.3.3 General lighting fluorescent lamps .................................................................................15
2.3.4 Metal halide and mercury lamps.....................................................................................15
2.3.5 Xenon lamps ...................................................................................................................16
2.3.6 Quartz halogen lamps .....................................................................................................16
2.3.7 Welding arcs ...................................................................................................................16
2.3.8 Ultraviolet lasers and light emitting diodes (LEDs) .......................................................16
2.3.9 Optical components and filtering....................................................................................16
3. Biological and Health Effects.....................................................................................................17
3.1 Biologically Significant Exposure: Dosimetry .......................................................................17
3.2 Biological Effects on the Skin ................................................................................................17
3.2.1 Structure and physiology of the skin ..............................................................................18
3.2.2 Acute effects on the skin.................................................................................................20
3.2.3 Chronic effects on the skin ...................................................................................................24
3.3 Effects on the Eye.........................................................................................................................25
3.3.1 Structure and physiology of the eye.......................................................................................25
3.3.2 Acute effects .........................................................................................................................27
3.3.3 Chronic effects......................................................................................................................27
3.4 Systemic Effects ..........................................................................................................................28
3.4.1 Production of vitamin D3 ......................................................................................................28
4. Occupational Exposure to Solar Ultraviolet Radiation...............................................................29
4.1 Factors that Influence Human Exposure to Solar UVR ..........................................................29
4.2 Anatomical Distribution of Sunlight.......................................................................................29
4.3 Facial Exposure to Solar UVR................................................................................................29
4.4 Ocular Exposure to Solar UVR ..............................................................................................30
4.5 Influence of Various Factors on Exposures in Outdoor Occupations.....................................31
4.5.1 The influence of work task and posture..........................................................................32
4.5.2 The influence of task duration, intermittency and shift aspects......................................32
4.5.3 The influence of season ..................................................................................................32
4.5.4 The influence of customary and protective clothing and headwear................................32
4.5.5 Shading ...........................................................................................................................33
5. Occupational Exposure to Artificial Sources of Ultraviolet Radiation.......................................33
5.1 Factors that Influence Human Exposure to Artificial Sources................................................33
5.2 Facial and Ocular Exposure....................................................................................................33
5.3 Examples of Exposure in Different UVR Applications..........................................................33
5.3.1 Welding ..........................................................................................................................35
5.3.2 Sterilization and disinfection ..........................................................................................35
5.3.3 Photocuring and hardening .............................................................................................36
5.3.4 Banking and commerce ..................................................................................................36
5.3.5 Entertainment facilities...................................................................................................36
5.3.6 Materials inspection........................................................................................................37
5.3.7 Phototherapy...................................................................................................................37
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