EFFECTS OF ELECTROMAGNETIC

RADIATION ON THE EARTH

Student Name: Ziad Ahmed Said Al-Mangush

Student No: …………….

Submitted to :
Mr. Ramzi Al-Sadeq

2020
 Abstract
The aim of this work is to describe The basics of electromagnetic radiation, various
form and sources of the radiation and its effect on earth, specially the hazards on
the human health.

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 Contents

No Title Page
1 Overview 5
1.1 Definition 6
2 Electromagnetic radiation 6
3 Occurrence and importance of electromagnetic radiation 8
4 History 10
5 Basic terms of electromagnetic radiation 12
6 Protective Atmosphere 15
7 Hazards 16
7.1 Extrinsic 16
7.2 Intrinsic 17
7.3 Low-level exposure 17
8 Effects by frequency 18
8.1 Extremely-low frequency 18
8.2 Shortwave 19
8.3 Radio frequency field 20
8.4 Millimeter waves 21
8.5 Infrared 21
8.6 Visible light 22
8.7 Ultraviolet 22
References 25

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 List of Figures

No Title Page
Figures 1 Scheme and construction of the first Hertz oscillator 11

Figures 2 Electromagnetic wave spectrum 14

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1. Overview
Electromagnetic radiation (EMR) is composed of sine shaped waves that propagate
through space at the speed of light (approximately 300,000 km s_2), characterized
by electrical and magnetic fields that are arranged perpendicular to each other.
The central property of EMR is wavelength, inversely proportional to frequency. It
ranges from high-frequency gamma rays (with picometer [10_16 m] wavelength
and that are better thought of as particles or photons) to radio waves many
kilometers long and with low frequencies, collectively known as the
electromagnetic spectrum (EMS). Wave energy is also proportional to frequency.
EMR forms the basis for remote sensing (RS), which has gained great relevance in
studying and monitoring of hazards (Tralli et al., 2005). RS is divided into passive
and active methods: reflected or emitted radiation is recorded (passive), or the
response of an artificial signal is received (active, for example radar). To detect or
monitor phenomena related to hazards, a careful selection of the appropriate part of
the EMS is critical. Most Earth observation instruments, such as regular cameras,
passively record EMR in the visible part of the spectrum (approximately 0.4–0.7
mm [10_6 m]), and in the adjacent near-infrared (NIR, 0.7–1.4 mm). This is ideal
to detect the state of vegetation, as the cell structure of healthy green leaves
strongly reflects NIR energy, which declines in stressed leaves. Vegetation stress
possibly leading to crop failure can thus be detected early. Less common are
detectors that record thermal infrared (TIR) radiation (8–14 mm), for example, to
measure surface temperatures. The main forms of active RS are lidar (laser
scanning), radar, and sonar (light/radio/sound detection and ranging, respectively).
Lidar uses very short waves between about 400 nm and 1 mm, whereas radar
waves range between approximately 0.1–1 m. Sonar uses acoustic waves several
meters long. An advantage of all active sensors is that they are largely weather-
independent and may also be applied at night. EMR is also the basis for other tools

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important in hazard work, for example, GPS, which uses radio waves of about 20
cm, marginally more than other important communication systems, such as
wireless networks. EMR itself can constitute a hazard to living organisms.
Well-known examples of radiation to which exposure should be minimized or
avoided are X-rays (wavelength of a few nm), ultraviolet rays than cause sunburn
(about 0.3–0.4 mm), but also microwaves (wavelength of about 12 cm).

1.1. Definition
Energy propagating through space at the speed of light in the form of sine-shaped
electromagnetic waves, composed of perpendicularly arranged electric and
magnetic fields. EMR ranges from gamma rays with very short wavelength to long
radio waves. The shortest wavelengths can also be modeled as particles (photons).
The interaction of EMR with matter forms the basis for remote sensing.

2. Electromagnetic radiation
Electromagnetic radiation (EM radiation or EMR) is a fundamental phenomenon
of electromagnetism, behaving as waves and also as particles called photons which
travel through space carrying radiant energy. In a vacuum, it propagates at the
speed of light, normally in straight lines. EMR is emitted and absorbed by charged
particles. As an electromagnetic wave, it has both electric and magnetic field
components, which synchronously oscillate perpendicular to each other and
perpendicular to the direction of energy and wave propagation.

In classical physics, EMR is produced when charged particles are accelerated by

forces acting on them. Electrons are responsible for emission of most EMR
because they have low mass, and therefore are easily accelerated by a variety of

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mechanisms. Quantum processes can also produce EMR, such as when atomic
nuclei undergo gamma decay, and processes such as neutral pion decay.
EMR carries energy—sometimes called radiant energy—through space
continuously away from the source (this is not true of the near-field part of the EM
field). EMR also carries both momentum and angular momentum. These properties
may all be imparted to matter with which it interacts. When created, EMR is
produced from other types of energy and it is converted to other types of energy
when it is destroyed.

The electromagnetic spectrum, in order of increasing frequency and decreasing

wavelength, can be divided, for practical engineering purposes, into radio waves,
microwaves, infrared radiation, visible light, ultraviolet radiation, X-rays and
gamma rays. The eyes of various organisms sense a relatively small range of
frequencies of EMR near and including the visible spectrum or light. Visible light
is that part of the spectrum to which human eyes respond. Higher frequencies
(shorter wavelengths) have more energy in the photons, according to the well-
known law E=hν, where E is the energy per photon, ν is the frequency carried by
the photon, and h is Planck's constant. A single gamma ray photon carries far more
energy than a single photon of visible light.

The photon is the quantum of the electromagnetic interaction, and is the basic
constituent of all forms of EMR. The quantum nature of light becomes more
apparent at high frequencies (thus high photon energy). Such photons behave more
like particles than lower-frequency photons do.

Electromagnetic waves in free space must be solutions of Maxwell's

electromagnetic wave equation. Two main classes of solutions are known, namely

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plane waves and spherical waves. The plane waves may be viewed as the limiting
case of spherical waves at a very large (ideally infinite) distance from the source.
Both types of waves can have a waveform which is an arbitrary time function (so
long as it is sufficiently differentiable to conform to the wave equation). As with
any time function, this can be decomposed by means of Fourier analysis into its
frequency spectrum, or individual sinusoidal components, each of which contains a
single frequency, amplitude, and phase. Such a component wave is said to be
monochromatic. A monochromatic electromagnetic wave can be characterized by
its frequency or wavelength, its peak amplitude, its phase relative to some
reference phase, its direction of propagation, and its polarization.

The effects of EMR upon biological systems (and also to many other chemical
systems, under standard conditions) depend both upon the radiation's power and
frequency. For lower frequencies of EMR up to those of visible light (i.e., radio,
microwave, infrared), the damage done to cells and also to many ordinary
materials under such conditions is determined mainly by heating effects, and thus
by the radiation power. By contrast, for higher frequency radiations at ultraviolet
frequencies and above (i.e., X-rays and gamma rays) the damage to chemical
materials and living cells by EMR is far larger than that done by simple heating,
due to the ability of single photons in such high frequency EMR to damage
individual molecules chemically.

3. Occurrence and importance of electromagnetic radiation

Close to 0.01 percent of the mass/energy of the entire universe occurs in the form
of electromagnetic radiation. All human life is immersed in it and modern
communications technology and medical services are particularly dependent on
one or another of its forms.

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In fact, all living things on Earth depend on the electromagnetic radiation received
from the Sun and on the transformation of solar energy by photosynthesis into
plant life or by biosynthesis into zooplankton, the basic step in the food chain in
oceans. The eyes of many animals, including those of humans, are adapted to be
sensitive to and hence to see the most abundant part of the Sun’s electromagnetic
radiation—namely, light, which comprises the visible portion of its wide range of
frequencies. Green plants also have high sensitivity to the maximum intensity of
solar electromagnetic radiation, which is absorbed by a substance called
chlorophyll that is essential for plant growth via photosynthesis.
Practically all the fuels that modern society uses—gas, oil, and coal—are stored
forms of energy received from the Sun as electromagnetic radiation millions of
years ago. Only the energy from nuclear reactors does not originate from the Sun.
Everyday life is pervaded by man-made electromagnetic radiation: food is heated
in microwave ovens, airplanes are guided by radar waves, television sets receive
electromagnetic waves transmitted by broadcasting stations, and infrared waves
from heaters provide warmth. Infrared waves also are given off and received by
automatic self-focusing cameras that electronically measure and set the correct
distance to the object to be photographed. As soon as the Sun sets, incandescent or
fluorescent lights are turned on to provide artificial illumination, and cities glow
brightly with the colorful fluorescent and neon lamps of advertisement signs.
Familiar too is ultraviolet radiation, which the eyes cannot see but whose effect is
felt as pain from sunburn. Ultraviolet light represents a kind of electromagnetic
radiation that can be harmful to life. Such is also true of X rays, which are
important in medicine as they allow physicians to observe the inner parts of the
body but exposure to which should be kept to a minimum. Less familiar are
gamma rays, which come from nuclear reactions and radioactive decay and are part
of the harmful high-energy radiation of radioactive materials and nuclear weapons.

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4. History
As a result of the rapid development of electrodynamics in the 19th century, the
theory of electromagnetic waves emerged as a special form of electromagnetic
field.
At the beginning of the 19th century, the Danish physicist Hans Cristian Oersted
(1777-1851) and the English physicist Michael Faraday (1791-1867) came up with
the theory about the indivisibility of the electric and magnetic fields. In 1846 the
English scientist James Clarc Maxwell (1831- 1879) published a complete theory
of the electromagnetic field, explaining in its entirety the basics of electrical and
magnetic phenomena. He presented mathematically the theory of the
electromagnetic field mathematically in the form of the later called Maxwell's
equations, which can also be expressed in words in the form of the following short
sentences:
 The electric field force lines have their origin and end in electrical charges.
 The magnetic field force lines are closed curves.
 A variable magnetic field causes an electric field to form
 Variable electric field and electric charges in motion magnetic fields are the
cause.
From Maxwell's equations it follows that electricity and magnetism are different
manifestations of a single electromagnetic force. Neither the electric field nor the
magnetic field will go anywhere for themselves, but as Maxwell described, a
change in the magnetic field creates a change in the electric field and vice versa.
Changes in these fields in the space around some distribution of electric charges
can, if certain conditions are fulfilled, also manifest as electromagnetic waves that
propagate at a constant speed of light through space. Maxwell concludes that light
waves are also electromagnetic waves. Experimental confirmation of Maxwell's

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postulates was given in 1887 by the German physicist Heinrich Hertz (1857-1894).
In his honor, the unit for measuring the frequency of electromagnetic waves (one
oscillation per second) was called Hertz (Hz).In his experiment, Hertz was able to
transmit a genuinely strong electrical charge from one copper wire to another
copper wire that was a few meters away from each other. In Figure (1), the sheath
and construction of the first Hertz oscillator are shown.

Figure 1. Scheme and construction of the first Hertz oscillator

Hertz proved what Maxwell had just theorized: that electromagnetic waves move
at the speed of light (which confirms that EM waves are a type of light and vice
versa) and found a way to produce an electric and magnetic field "hooked" one in.
second in the space around the antenna, thus producing an electromagnetic wave
that moves just as Maxwell assumed.
The electromagnetic waves obtained in the Hertz experiment had a wavelength of
approximately 1 meter, which is one million times greater than the wavelengths of
visible light, and the properties of these waves (reflection, deflection, interference)
corresponded to the properties of light.

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5. Basic terms of electromagnetic radiation
An electromagnetic (EM) field is a physical field produced by of charged objects
and theoretically extends to infinity. It acts by the Lorenz force on the charged
objects found in it.
An electromagnetic field is a combination of an electric and a magnetic field, with
the electric field being produced by stationary charges and magnetic charges in
motion (electric currents). In the past, theories of electric and magnetic fields were
considered separately, and later it was understood that electric and magnetic fields
were only two parts of one larger whole of the electromagnetic field.
From the standpoint of classical theory, the EM field can be considered as a
smooth continuous field propagating in the form of waves, while from the point of
view of quantum mechanics it can be viewed as being made up of individual
corpuscle photons. Accordingly, the EM field can be seen as: continuous structure
or discrete structure.
Electromagnetic radiation is a self-propagating wave in space or through matter,
and it has both electrical and magnetic components that oscillate in phase normally
(at an angle of 90 °) to each other and in the direction of the propagation of the
wave or energy. Given the frequency of this oscillation, a spectrum of EM
radiation was formed containing RF, MT, THz, infra red, visible, ultraviolet, X,
and gamma radiation. Otherwise, the term "radiation" means energy in the form of
waves or subatomic particles in motion emitted by atoms or other bodies, when it
changes from a higher energy state to a lower energy state. It can be classified as
ionizing or non-ionizing, depending on its effects on the atom.
The term "radiation" usually refers to ionizing radiation that has enough energy to
ionize atoms or molecules, while non-ionizing radiation does not have enough
energy. In nature, there is radioactive material that emits ionizing radiation, and so
far it has been relatively well researched, from all aspects including its effect on

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living organisms. However, in recent years, increasing attention has been paid to
the study of non-ionizing radiation due to the fact that the environment is
increasingly becoming "polluted" by this radiation, and the question is justified:
What is the extent of the harmfulness of this radiation on living beings?
If there is an EM field in some space, this is still not enough to form an EM wave,
as this requires some additional conditions. For this reason, the term radiation often
refers only to states that allow the emission of EM waves, although the state of EM
field itself in some space can be considered as the state of energy radiation from
the charge system created by that field. With this in mind, electromagnetic
radiation can be divided into two groups: natural and technical radiation, as
follows:
Natural radiation includes:
• Earth's magnetic field (approx. 45 μT),
• neutral electric air field,
• Earth's resonant frequency (approx. 10 Hz),
• variable atmospheric field (O - 30 Hz),
• cosmic and terrestrial microwaves,
• radio waves from the sun and from space,
• infrared radiation,
• light radiation,
• X-ray and gamma radiation and
• radiation corpuscles.
For natural radiation, which, like all, is part of the unique electromagnetic
spectrum, the simple term "radiation" is used.
In everyday communication, the term electromagnetic radiation refers to
technically produced electric and magnetic fields. The main sources of technical
radiation are:

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• electrostatic fields,
• power plants and appliances,
• radio and television transmitters,
• electrical appliances in industry and households,
• railway and tram electrical network,
• telecommunication network,
• radar installations,
• infrared radiation,
• ultrasonic radiation and
• X-rays.
In physics, there is a term that clearly defines the specifics of electromagnetic
radiation, called the electromagnetic radiation spectrum (Figure 2).

Figure 2. Electromagnetic wave spectrum

This spectrum classifies radiation by wavelength, or frequency, of electromagnetic

waves into groups that have similar properties. All types of electromagnetic

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radiation have the same physical properties in terms of divergence, interference,
coupling and polarization, and differ in the amount of energy. In general, the non-
ionizing part of the electromagnetic spectrum can be divided into three broad
areas:
• EM radiation of electric and magnetic fields of extremely low frequency
• (Extremely low frequency-ELF)
• Radio frequency radiation
• Optical radiation

6. Protective Atmosphere
Our Sun is a source of energy across the full spectrum, and its electromagnetic
radiation bombards our atmosphere constantly. However, the Earth's atmosphere
protects us from exposure to a range of higher energy waves that can be harmful to
life. Gamma rays, x-rays, and some ultraviolet waves are "ionizing," meaning these
waves have such a high energy that they can knock electrons out of atoms.
Exposure to these high-energy waves can alter atoms and molecules and cause
damage to cells in organic matter. These changes to cells can sometimes be
helpful, as when radiation is used to kill cancer cells, and other times not, as when
we get sunburned.

Electromagnetic radiation is reflected or absorbed mainly by several gases in the

Earth's atmosphere, among the most important being water vapor, carbon dioxide,
and ozone. Some radiation, such as visible light, largely passes (is transmitted)
through the atmosphere. These regions of the spectrum with wavelengths that can
pass through the atmosphere are referred to as "atmospheric windows." Some
microwaves can even pass through clouds, which make them the best wavelength
for transmitting satellite communication signals.

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While our atmosphere is essential to protecting life on Earth and keeping the planet
habitable, it is not very helpful when it comes to studying sources of high-energy
radiation in space. Instruments have to be positioned above Earth's energy-
absorbing atmosphere to "see" higher energy and even some lower energy light
sources such as quasars.

7. Hazards
7.1. Extrinsic
Sufficiently strong electromagnetic radiation (EMR) can cause electric currents in
conductive materials that is strong enough to create sparks (electrical arcs) when
an induced voltage exceeds the breakdown voltage of the surrounding medium
(e.g. air at 3.0 MV/m).[4] These can deliver an electric shock to persons or
animals. For example, the radio emissions from transmission lines have
occasionally caused shocks to construction workers from nearby equipment,
causing OSHA to establish standards for proper handling.
EMR-induced sparks can ignite nearby flammable materials or gases, which can be
especially hazardous in the vicinity of explosives or pyrotechnics. This risk is
commonly referred to as Hazards of Electromagnetic Radiation to
Ordnance (HERO) by the United States Navy (USN). United States Military
Standard 464A (MIL-STD-464A) mandates assessment of HERO in a system, but
USN document OD 30393 provides design principles and practices for controlling
electromagnetic hazards to ordnance. [6] The risk related to fueling is known as
Hazards of Electromagnetic Radiation to Fuel (HERF). NAVSEA OP 3565 Vol. 1
could be used to evaluate HERF, which states a maximum power density of
0.09 W/m² for frequencies under 225 MHz (i.e. 4.2 meters for a 40 W emitter).

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7.2. Intrinsic
Dielectric heating from electromagnetic fields can create a biological hazard. For
example, touching or standing around an antenna while a high-power transmitter is
in operation can cause severe burns. These are exactly the kind of burns that would
be caused inside a microwave oven. The dielectric heating effect varies with the
power and the frequency of the electromagnetic energy, as well as the distance to
the source. The eyes and testes are particularly susceptible to radio frequency
heating due to the paucity of blood flow in these areas that could otherwise
dissipate the heat buildup.
Radio frequency (RF) energy at power density levels of 1-10 mW/cm2 or higher
can cause measurable heating of tissues. Typical RF energy levels encountered by
the general public are well below the level needed to cause significant heating, but
certain workplace environments near high power RF sources may exceed safe
exposure limits. A measure of the heating effect is the specific absorption rate or
SAR, which has units of watts per kilogram (W/kg). The IEEE and many national
governments have established safety limits for exposure to various frequencies of
electromagnetic energy based on SAR, mainly based
on ICNIRP Guidelines, which guard against thermal damage.

7.3. Low-level exposure

The World Health Organization began a research effort in 1996 to study the health
effects from the ever-increasing exposure of people to a diverse range of EMR
sources. After 30 years of extensive study, science has yet to confirm a health risk
from exposure to low-level fields. However, there remain gaps in the
understanding of the biological effects, and more research needs to be performed.
Studies are being run to examine cells and determine if EM exposure can cause
detrimental effects.

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Animal studies are being used to look for effects impacting more complex
physiologies that are similar to humans. Epidemiological studies look for statistical
correlations between EM exposure in the field and specific health effects. As of
2019, much of the current work is focused on the study of EM fields in relation to
cancer.[11] There are publications which support the existence of complex
biological and neurological effects of weaker non-thermal electromagnetic fields.,
including weak ELF electromagnetic fields and modulated RF and microwave fields.
Fundamental mechanisms of the interaction between biological material and
electromagnetic fields at non-thermal levels are not fully understood.

8. Effects by frequency
While the most acute exposures to harmful levels of electromagnetic radiation are
immediately realized as burns, the health effects due to chronic or occupational
exposure may not manifest effects for months or years.

8.1. Extremely-low frequency

Electric and magnetic fields occur where electricity is generated or distributed in
power lines, cables, or electrical appliances. Human responses depend on the field
strength, ambient environmental conditions, and individual sensitivity. 7% of
volunteers exposed to power-frequency electric fields of high-power, extremely-
low-frequency RF with electric field levels in the low kV/m range reported painful
currents that flowed to ground through a body contact surface such as the feet, or
arced to ground where the body was well insulated.
A 2002 International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) study measured the
effect of ELF magnetic fields, and found “limited evidence” of human
carcinogenicity in relation to childhood leukemia, leading the IARC to classify
ELF magnetic fields as “possibly carcinogenic to humans”. The same study found

18
“inadequate evidence” in relation to all other cancers. When IARC measured the
effect of ELF electric fields, it found “inadequate evidence” for human
carcinogenicity.
Based on a review of scientific knowledge available in 2020, the ICNIRP
commission suggested the further epidemiological and experimental research
of neurodegenerative diseases development associated with ELF would be useful.

8.2. Shortwave
Shortwave (1.6 to 30 MHz) diathermy can be used as a therapeutic technique for
its analgesic effect and deep muscle relaxation, but has largely been replaced
by ultrasound. Temperatures in muscles can increase by 4–6 °C, and subcutaneous
fat by 15 °C. The FCC has restricted the frequencies allowed for medical
treatment, and most machines in the US use 27.12 MHz. Shortwave diathermy can
be applied in either continuous or pulsed mode. The latter came to prominence
because the continuous mode produced too much heating too rapidly, making
patients uncomfortable. The technique only heats tissues that are good electrical
conductors, such as blood vessels and muscle. Adipose tissue (fat) receives little
heating by induction fields because an electrical current is not actually going
through the tissues.
Studies have been performed on the use of shortwave radiation for cancer therapy
and promoting wound healing, with some success. However, at a sufficiently high
energy level, shortwave energy can be harmful to human health, potentially
causing damage to biological tissues. [25] The FCC limits for maximum permissible
workplace exposure to shortwave radio frequency energy in the range of 3–
30 MHz has a plane-wave equivalent power density of (900/f2) mW/cm2 where f is
the frequency in MHz, and 100 mW/cm2 from 0.3–3.0 MHz. For uncontrolled
exposure to the general public, the limit is 180/f2 between 1.34–30 MHz.[8]

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8.3. Radio frequency field
The designation of mobile phone signals as "possibly carcinogenic to humans" by
the World Health Organization (WHO) (e.g. its IARC, see below) has often been
misinterpreted as indicating that some measure of risk has been observed –
however the designation indicates only that the possibility could not be
conclusively ruled out using the available data.
In 2011, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) classified mobile
phone radiation as Group 2B "possibly carcinogenic" (rather than Group
2A "probably carcinogenic" nor the "is carcinogenic" Group 1). That means that
there "could be some risk" of carcinogenicity, so additional research into the long-
term, heavy use of mobile phones needs to be conducted. The WHO concluded in
2014 that "A large number of studies have been performed over the last two
decades to assess whether mobile phones pose a potential health risk. To date, no
adverse health effects have been established as being caused by mobile phone use.

Since 1962, the microwave auditory effect or tinnitus has been shown from radio
frequency exposure at levels below significant heating. Studies during the 1960s in
Europe and Russia claimed to show effects on humans, especially the nervous
system, from low energy RF radiation; the studies were disputed at the time.
In 2019 reporters from the Chicago Tribune tested the level of radiation from smart
phones and found it to exceed safe levels. The federal communications
commission begun to check the findings.
Radio frequency radiation is found to have more thermal related effects. A person's
body temperature can be raised which could result in death if exposed to high
dosage of RF radiation. Focused RF radiation can also cause burns on the skin or
cataracts to form in the eyes. Overall, some health effects are observed at a high
levels of RF radiation, but the effects aren't clear at low levels of exposure.

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8.4. Millimeter waves
In 2009, the US TSA introduced full-body scanners as a primary screening
modality in airport security, first as backscatter x-ray scanners, which the European
Union banned in 2011 due to health and safety concerns, followed by Millimeter
wave scanners . Likewise WiGig for personal area networks have opened the
60 GHz and above microwave band to SAR exposure regulations. Previously,
microwave applications in these bands were for point-to-point satellite
communication with minimal human exposure.

8.5. Infrared
Infrared wavelengths longer than 750 nm can produce changes in the lens of the
eye. Glassblower's cataract is an example of a heat injury that damages the anterior
lens capsule among unprotected glass and iron workers. Cataract-like changes can
occur in workers who observe glowing masses of glass or iron without protective
eyewear for prolonged periods over many years. [17]
Exposing skin to infrared radiation near visible light (IR-A) leads to increased
production of free radicals. Short-term exposure can be beneficial (activating
protective responses), while prolonged exposure can lead to photoaging.
Another important factor is the distance between the worker and the source of
radiation. In the case of arc welding, infrared radiation decreases rapidly as a
function of distance, so that farther than three feet away from where welding takes
place, it does not pose an ocular hazard anymore but, ultraviolet radiation still
does. This is why welders wear tinted glasses and surrounding workers only have
to wear clear ones that filter UV.

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8.6. Visible light
Photic retinopathy is damage to the macular area of the eye's retina that results
from prolonged exposure to sunlight, particularly with dilated pupils. This can
happen, for example, while observing a solar eclipse without suitable eye
protection. The Sun's radiation creates a photochemical reaction that can result
in visual dazzling and a scotoma. The initial lesions and edema will disappear after
several weeks, but may leave behind a permanent reduction in visual acuity.
Moderate and high-power lasers are potentially hazardous because they can burn
the retina of the eye, or even the skin. To control the risk of injury, various
specifications – for example ANSI Z136 in the US, EN 60825-1/A2 in Europe, and
IEC 60825 internationally – define "classes" of lasers depending on their power
and wavelength.[40][41] Regulations prescribe required safety measures, such as
labeling lasers with specific warnings, and wearing laser safety goggles during
operation (see laser safety).
As with its infrared and ultraviolet radiation dangers, welding creates an intense
brightness in the visible light spectrum, which may cause temporary flash
blindness. Some sources state that there is no minimum safe distance for exposure
to these radiation emissions without adequate eye protection.

8.7. Ultraviolet
Sunlight includes sufficient ultraviolet power to cause sunburn within hours of
exposure, and the burn severity increases with the duration of exposure. This effect
is a response of the skin called erythema, which is caused by a sufficient strong
dose of UV-B. The Sun's UV output is divided into UV-A and UV-B: solar UV-A
flux is 100 times that of UV-B, but the erythema response is 1,000 times higher for
UV-B. This exposure can increase at higher altitudes and when reflected by snow,

22
ice, or sand. The UV-B flux is 2–4 times greater during the middle 4–6 hours of
the day, and is not significantly absorbed by cloud cover or up to a meter of water.

Ultraviolet light, specifically UV-B, has been shown to cause cataracts and there is
some evidence that sunglasses worn at an early age can slow its development in
later life.[18] Most UV light from the sun is filtered out by the atmosphere and
consequently airline pilots often have high rates of cataracts because of the
increased levels of UV radiation in the upper atmosphere. [44] It is hypothesized
that depletion of the ozone layer and a consequent increase in levels of UV light on
the ground may increase future rates of cataracts. [45] Note that the lens filters UV
light, so if it is removed via surgery, one may be able to see UV light.
Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun can lead to melanoma and
other skin malignancies. Clear evidence establishes ultraviolet radiation, especially
the non-ionizing medium wave UVB, as the cause of most non-melanoma skin
cancers, which are the most common forms of cancer in the world. UV rays can
also cause wrinkles, liver spots, moles, and freckles. In addition to sunlight, other
sources include tanning beds, and bright desk lights. Damage is cumulative over
one's lifetime, so that permanent effects may not be evident for some time after
exposure.
Ultraviolet radiation of wavelengths shorter than 300 nm (actinic rays) can damage
the corneal epithelium. This is most commonly the result of exposure to the sun at
high altitude, and in areas where shorter wavelengths are readily reflected from
bright surfaces, such as snow, water, and sand. UV generated by a welding arc can
similarly cause damage to the cornea, known as "arc eye" or welding flash burn, a
form of photokeratitis.
Fluorescent light bulbs and tubes internally produce ultraviolet light. Normally this
is converted to visible light by the phosphor film inside a protective coating. When

23
the film is cracked by mishandling or faulty manufacturing then UV may escape at
levels that could cause sunburn or even skin cancer

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