Using Ultraviolet Lab Equipment Safely

When working with UV equipment, use the correct protective gear.

Many of the ultraviolet (UV) sources used in the laboratory emit high intensities of UV light, capable of producing painful eye and skin burns. For this reason, it’s critical to use a UV face shield and cover all exposed skin areas when working with UV in the lab.

Sources of UV in the lab

Some sources of UV light in the lab setting include germicidal lamps in viewing cabinets, transilluminators used to visualize DNA bands in gels. If you are using this type of lab equipment, you most likely are wearing the proper PPE as determined by your lab’s EHS.

Common UV terms

Fluorescence

Emission of light produced by certain substances when excited by ultraviolet energy. The emission ends when UV source is removed.

Germicidal

Sterilization action of short wave ultraviolet light. UV light, in the range of 254 nm, penetrates the cell membrane of living cells and disrupts the DNA molecules, preventing cell replication.

Luminescence

Emission of light produced by the absorption of short wave radiation (such as ultraviolet).

Phosphorescence

Emission of light which continues after the excitation source is removed.

 

View our selection of ultraviolet equipment.

Be the first to comment on "Using Ultraviolet Lab Equipment Safely"

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published.


*


This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

%d bloggers like this: