實驗室中的紫外線來源和危害
紫外線（UV）是非電離輻射，空氣中的波長在電磁光譜的180到400納米（nm）區域之間，僅在可見范圍之外。有三個值得關注的紫外線區域：UV-A（315-400 nm，黑光區域，更低潛在危害），UV-B（280-315 nm，紅斑區域，中到高潛在危害）和UV-C （180-280 nm，殺菌區域，更高潛在危害）。
紫外線可能與健康影響相關，具體取決于暴露時間和波長。暴露于紫外線通常僅限于陽光直射導致的紫外線區域。地球大氣層使我們免受有害的UV-C和99％的UV-B的傷害。實驗室工作人員可能正在使用能夠在所有三個區域產生紫外線輻射的設備。因此，工人必須使用適當的控制措施以防止受傷。

實驗室中紫外線的常見來源
實驗室中的紫外線產生源包括但不限于核酸透射儀和紫外交聯儀，手持式紫外線燈，生物安全柜中和安裝在天花板上的殺菌燈，紫外線燈箱和紫外線激光器。

暴露在紫外線下的危害
意外的紫外線過度暴露會傷害不知情的受害者，因為紫外線是不可見的，不會立即產生反應。過度接觸的癥狀包括不同程度的皮膚和眼睛受傷。

皮膚傷害 –暴露于紫外線輻射會在裸露的皮膚內引發稱為紅斑的光化學反應。曾被曬傷的任何人都可能熟悉急性效應。這種“曬傷”可能非常嚴重，并且可能由于僅幾秒鐘的暴露而發生。長期暴露于紫外線輻射的皮膚與皮膚過早衰老，皺紋和皮膚癌有關。
眼睛受傷 –暴露于紫外線輻射會導致光性角膜炎，這是由紫外線輻射引起的角膜病變引起的眼睛疼痛性炎癥。癥狀包括可能持續數天的眼睛沙粒感。長期暴露于急性高能紫外線輻射下會導致白內障的形成。

接觸極限
華盛頓州勞動和工業部（L＆I）已確定了眼睛和皮膚暴露于電弧，氣體和蒸氣放電以及白熾燈產生的紫外線輻射的限值。這些限制與應用于激光的限制不同，并且不包括太陽輻射。為了減少傷害，工人必須將暴露控制在這些限值以下。

極限曝光
切勿讓皮膚或眼睛暴露于實驗室設備產生的紫外線輻射下。為控制紫外線暴露，請適當屏蔽光源，要求用戶穿戴適當的個人防護設備，并在可能的情況下，在進入實驗室之前關閉產生紫外線的設備。

個人防護裝備（PPE）
為了防紫外線，請穿著適當的實驗室服裝，包括完全扣緊的實驗室外套，手套，長褲，露趾鞋和帽子。防止通常在脖子和手腕區域周圍出現的防護服上的縫隙。如果眼睛和臉部有暴露的可能，則應佩戴適當的紫外線防護眼和臉部防護裝置。

特殊工作慣例
殺菌燈打開時，切勿在生物安全柜中工作。如果可能，請在燈亮時關閉窗扇。
切勿在沒有防護罩的情況下使用透射照明器。保持屏蔽層清潔，損壞時應更換。
如果門安全聯鎖不能正常工作，切勿使用交聯劑。
請遵循制造商的說明進行維護和保養。
制定并遵循標準的操作程序。
標簽/標牌
紫外線光源必須在光源外殼上貼上明顯的標簽，并帶有適當的警告或警告提示：
“注意–紫外線輻射危害，僅在與遮蓋物，保護眼睛和皮膚接觸暴露后進入紫外線的情況下使用”
如果實驗室中有產生紫外線的光源，則除了標簽外，入口還應顯示實驗室標牌，指示危險（例如，紫外線，激光等），進入所需的PPE以及任何其他信息（請參見實驗室標牌計劃。）

監控方式
盡管EH＆S并未對紫外線輻射進行常規監控，但仍有手持式儀器可準確測量實驗室設備產生的紫外線輻射。
獲得協助
EH＆S可應要求提供培訓。EH＆S將調查報告的過度接觸，進行監控（如果適用），并提供建議以防止再次發生。如果您對紫外線危害，暴露極限，監控，PPE或紫外線激光有疑問，或者需要標簽和標識，請與您的EH＆S辦公室聯系。

美國路陽中國公司銷售多種實驗室紫外線光源和紫外線防護用品，如果對紫外線光源和紫外線防護眼鏡、紫外線防護面罩感興趣，請和我們銷售客服咨詢。

實驗室中的紫外線來源和危害的英文：

Ultraviolet Light in Laboratories: Sources & Hazards
Ultraviolet light (UV) is non-ionizing radiation with wavelengths in air between the 180 to 400 nanometer (nm) region of the electromagnetic spectrum, just outside the visible range. There are three UV regions of concern: UV-A (315- 400 nm, black-light region, lowest potential hazard), UV-B (280-315 nm, erythema region, mid to high potential hazard), and UV-C (180-280 nm, germicidal region, highest potential hazard).
UV can be associated with health effects depending on exposure duration and wavelength. Exposure to UV is typically limited to the UVA region resulting from direct sunlight. The Earth’s atmosphere shields us from the more harmful UV-C and 99% of UV-B. Laboratory workers may be using equipment capable of generating UV radiation in all three regions; therefore, workers must use the appropriate controls to prevent injury.
Common Sources of UV in Laboratories
UV generating sources in laboratories include, but are not limited to, nucleic acid transilluminators and crosslinkers, hand-held UV units, germicidal lamps in biological safety cabinets and installed on ceilings, UV light boxes, and UV lasers.
Hazards Associated with Exposure to UV
Accidental UV overexposure can injure unaware victims because UV is invisible and does not produce an immediate reaction. Symptoms of overexposure include varying degrees of skin and eye injuries.
Skin injury – exposure to UV radiation can initiate a photochemical reaction called erythema within exposed skin. Acute effects may be familiar to anyone ever having been sunburned. This “sunburn” can be quite severe and can occur as a result of only a few seconds of exposure. Chronic skin exposure to UV radiation has been linked to premature skin aging, wrinkles, and skin cancer.
Eye injury – UV radiation exposure can cause photokeratitis, a painful inflammation of the eye caused by UV radiation-induced lesions on the cornea. Symptoms include a sensation of sand in the eye that may last for days. Chronic exposures to acute high-energy UV radiation can lead to the formation of cataracts.

Exposure Limits
Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) has established limits for eye and skin exposure to UV radiation produced from arcs, gas, and vapor discharges, and incandescent sources. These limits differ from those applied to lasers and do not include solar radiation. To reduce injuries, workers must control exposures to levels below these limits.

Limiting Exposure
Never allow the skin or eyes to be exposed to UV radiation generated by laboratory equipment. To control UV exposure, properly shield the source, require the user wear appropriate personal protective equipment, and whenever possible, turn off UV-generating equipment before entering the laboratory.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
For protection against UV, wear appropriate laboratory apparel, including a fully buttoned lab coat, gloves, long pants, closed-toe shoes, and cap. Prevent gaps in protective clothing that commonly occur around the neck and wrist areas. If there is any potential for the eyes and face to be exposed, proper UV shielding eye and face protection should be worn.

Special Work Practices
Never work in a biological safety cabinet while the germicidal lamp is on. If possible, close the sash when the light is on.
Never use a transilluminator without the protective shield in place. Keep shields clean and replace when damaged.
Never use crosslinkers if the door safety interlock is not working properly.
Follow manufacturer’s instructions for maintenance and servicing.
Develop and follow standard operating procedures.
Label/Signage
UV sources must be conspicuously labeled with an appropriate caution or warning notice attached to the housing of the source:
“CAUTION – UV RADIATION HAZARD, USE ONLY WITH SHIELDING IN PLACE, PROTECT EYES AND SKIN FROM EXPOSURE TO UV LIGHT”

If there is a UV-generating source in the laboratory, in addition to the label, the entrance should display a laboratory sign indicating hazards (i.e., UV light, laser, etc.), PPE required to enter, and any additional information (see Laboratory Signage Program.

Monitoring
Although EH&S does not conduct routine monitoring for UV radiation, there are hand-held instruments to accurately measure UV radiation generated by laboratory equipment.
Getting Assistance
EH&S is available to provide training when requested. EH&S will investigate reported over-exposures, conduct monitoring (if applicable), and provide recommendations to prevent re-occurrences. If you have questions regarding UV hazards, exposure limits, monitoring, PPE or UV Lasers, or need labels and signage, contact your EH&S office.