UVHazards

SAFETY GUIDELINE
Ultraviolet Radiation (UV) Hazards

UV HAZARDS
Many people are not aware that UV lights can pose hazards. Like the sun, UV lights emit UV
radiation that can cause skin burns, eye damage, including permanent blindness and skin
cancer. Ultraviolet light (UV) is non-ionizing radiation in the 180 to the 400-nanometer wavelength
range of the electromagnetic spectrum. The ultraviolet spectrum is commonly divided into the
following three ranges by their wavelengths:
UV Spectrum Spectrum Name Wavelength (nm)

UVA Black Light 315-400
UVB Erythermal 280-314
UVC Germicidal 180-280
Exposure to ultraviolet radiation is typically limited to the UVA region resulting from exposure to
direct sunlight. The Earth's atmosphere shields us from the more harmful UVC and greater than
99% of UVB radiation.
Some laboratory equipment can generate concentrated UV radiation in all the spectral
regions. High intensities of UV light are hazardous to the eyes and can injure the cornea,
the outer protective coating of the eye, in as little as a few seconds of exposure. It may be
a few hours or the next day before the extent of the injury felt. UV light can also cause skin burns
and lead to skin cancer on unprotected skin. UV light can reflect off shiny surfaces such as
stainless steel, so use caution when working around equipment when the UV light is on.
UV LIGHT SOURCES IN THE LABORATORY

Common laboratory sources of UV light include germicidal lamps in biological safety cabinets,
nucleic acid transillumination boxes, nucleic acid crosslinkers, and UV lasers. The best method
of protection is to avoid exposure. When using UV lights to disinfect work surfaces in a laboratory,
conduct this work when fewer people are in the lab. If UV lights are used to decontaminate hoods
or biological safety cabinets, be sure the sash is closed, and the room is unoccupied. Do not use
transilluminators without the protective UV shield in place. Keep shields clean and
replace them when damaged. Never operate equipment with missing, broken, or improperly
functioning shields or interlocks. Never override safety interlocks.
You can find more information on UV Radiation here: PREVENT EYE DAMAGE Protect Yourself
from UV Radiation, Office of Air and Radiation (6205J) EPA-430-F-10-038, August 2010
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT
Protect your skin and eyes from exposure to UV radiation sources. The UV radiation generated
by laboratory equipment can exceed recommended exposure limits and cause severe and
potentially permanent injury with exposures as brief as three seconds in duration.
Eye/Face Protection: When working with UV emitting equipment, wear the appropriate eye and
face protection. Always wear a full-face shield. To protect the eyes and face, use a
polycarbonate face shield stamped with the ANSI Z87.1-1989 UV certification. The face
shield should be marked with the term Z87 to indicate that the shield meets the ANSI
standard to provide at least basic UV protection. Users should read the manufacturer's
instructions provided with the face shield to verify that the shield offers adequate UV
protection. UV face shields must wrap around the side of the head and cover the face and neck.
UV face shields are available for purchase in eShop.
Ordinary prescription eyeglasses may not block UV radiation.

UV-certified goggles and safety glasses will protect the eyes, but
it is common for lab workers to suffer facial burns in the areas
not covered by the goggles or glasses.
Skin:
Protect all exposed skin. Wear a lab coat or a shirt with long
sleeves. Use gloves that are long enough to cover the hand,
wrist, and forearms. Wear disposable latex or nitrile gloves to
protect exposed skin on the hands. Do not use vinyl gloves,
which can transmit significant amounts of actinic UV.
WARNING LABELS
Post equipment that emits UV radiation with a warning label
that contains wording similar to the one shown here.
UV hazard stickers are also available from EHS.
MAINTENANCE AND DISPOSAL

Maintain UV lights per the equipment manufacturer's instructions. Only trained and
knowledgeable personnel should replace UV bulbs using proper personal protective
equipment. Dispose of UV bulbs as Universal Waste. Refer to the Universal Waste Disposal
Fact Sheet.
EXPOSURE REPORTING
Report any injuries related to UV exposure immediately. Incident Reporting information is
available online.
Contact UNMC Environmental Health & Safety at 402-559-6356 if you have questions regarding
UV protective eyewear, clothing, or bulb disposal.
UNMC EHS 03/2021

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SAFETY GUIDELINE

Ultraviolet Radiation (UV) Hazards

UV Spectrum Spectrum Name Wavelength (nm)

UV LIGHT SOURCES IN THE LABORATORY

Ordinary prescription eyeglasses may not block UV radiation.

MAINTENANCE AND DISPOSAL

UNMC EHS 03/2021

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