Optical radiation: Difference between revisions
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Mattaw2001 (talk | contribs) Corrected errors in captions of warning signs ISO 7010 W004 & W027 to reflect ISO descriptions from references: from "natural" and "artificial" to "optical" and "laser" |
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'''Optical radiation''' is the part of the [[electromagnetic spectrum]] with wavelengths between 100 nm and 1 mm.<ref name = "BfS"/><ref name=paf>{{cite web |url=https://www.portaleagentifisici.it/fo_ro_artificiali_index.php?lg=EN&id=117 |publisher=Portale Agenti Fisici |title=What is Optical Radiation? |website=www.portaleagentifisici.it/ |language=EN |accessdate=2024-03-24}}</ref> This range includes [[visible light]], [[infrared light]], and part of the [[ultraviolet]] spectrum.<ref name=HSE/> Optical radiation is [[non-ionizing radiation|non-ionizing]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hse.gov.uk/radiation/nonionising/index.htm |publisher=Health and Safety Executive |website=hse.gov.uk |title=Non-ionising radiation |accessdate=2024-03-24}}</ref> and can be focused with [[lens]]es and manipulated by other optical elements. [[Optics]] is the study of how to manipulate optical radiation. |
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Optical radiation is part of the [[electromagnetic spectrum]]. It is subdivided into [[ultraviolet radiation]] (UV), the spectrum of [[light]] visible for man (VIS) and [[infrared radiation]] (IR). It ranges between wavelengths of 100 nm to 1 mm. |
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== Sources == |
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[[File:ISO 7010 W027.svg|thumb|Warning [[safety sign]] for optical radiation; e.g. [[solar radiation]], electric arcs, sunbeds, etc. defined by [[ISO 7010]] standard<ref>[https://www.iso.org/obp/ui#iso:grs:7010:W027 ISO Online Browsing Platform, ISO 7010 - W027]</ref>]] |
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[[File:ISO 7010 W004.svg|thumb|Warning safety sign for a laser beam defined by [[ISO 7010]] standard<ref>[https://www.iso.org/obp/ui#iso:grs:7010:W004 ISO Online Browsing Platform, ISO 7010 - W004]</ref>]] |
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Optical radiation may be divided into two types: |
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;Artificial optical radiation: Artificial optical radiation is produced by artificial sources, including [[Coherence (physics)|coherent]] sources such as [[laser]]s and incoherent sources such as [[UV lamp|UV light]]s, common [[light bulb]]s, [[radiant heater]]s, [[welding]] equipment, etc.<ref name=paf/> |
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;Natural optical radiation: Natural optical radiation is primarily produced by the [[sun]].<ref name=paf/> |
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==Effects== |
==Effects== |
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Exposure to optical radiation can result in negative health effects. All wavelengths across this range of the spectrum, from UV to IR, can produce thermal injury to the surface layers of the skin, including the eye. When it comes from natural sources, this sort of thermal injury might be called a sunburn. However, thermal injury from infrared radiation could also occur in a workplace, such as a foundry, where such radiation is generated by industrial processes. At the other end of this range, UV light has enough photon energy that it can cause direct effects to protein structure in tissues, and is well established as carcinogenic in humans. Occupational exposures to UV light occur in welding and brazing operations, for example. |
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Optical radiation may produce positive as well as negative effects. It is therefore necessary to arrange for reasonable exposure to optical radiation. Primarily UV-radiation, but also IR-radiation, may be both beneficial and detrimental for man. The natural source of both types of radiation is sun. Artificial sources of UV-radiation are among others UV-lamps or emitters as for example in solaria. Artificial IR-radiation is generated by devices such as light bulbs or radiant heaters. |
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Excessive exposure to natural or artificial UV-radiation means immediate (acute) and long-term (chronic) damage to the eye and skin. |
Excessive exposure to natural or artificial UV-radiation means immediate (acute) and long-term (chronic) damage to the eye and skin. Occupational exposure limits may be one of two types: rate limited or dose limited. Rate limits characterize the exposure based on effective energy (radiance or irradiance, depending on the type of radiation and the health effect of concern) per area per time, and dose limits characterize the exposure as a total acceptable dose. The latter is applied when the intensity of the radiation is great enough to produce a thermal injury. |
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==Specifications== |
==Specifications== |
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The European Union (EU) has laid down minimum harmonized requirements for the protection of workers against the risks arising from exposure to Artificial Optical Radiation (e.g. UVA, laser, etc.) in the Directive [http://eur-lex.europa.eu/smartapi/cgi/sga_doc?smartapi!celexplus!prod!DocNumber&lg=en&type_doc=Directive&an_doc=2006&nu_doc=25 2006/25/EC]. A Non-binding guide to good practice for implementing Directive 2006/25/EC "Artificial Optical Radiation" is available on this [http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=148&langId=en&pubId=5926&type=2&furtherPubs=yes page]. |
The European Union (EU) has laid down minimum harmonized requirements for the protection of workers against the risks arising from exposure to Artificial Optical Radiation (e.g. UVA, laser, etc.) in the Directive [http://eur-lex.europa.eu/smartapi/cgi/sga_doc?smartapi!celexplus!prod!DocNumber&lg=en&type_doc=Directive&an_doc=2006&nu_doc=25 2006/25/EC]. A Non-binding guide to good practice for implementing Directive 2006/25/EC "Artificial Optical Radiation" is available on this [http://ec.europa.eu/social/main.jsp?catId=148&langId=en&pubId=5926&type=2&furtherPubs=yes page]. |
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== References == |
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{{reflist | refs = |
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<ref name = "HSE">{{cite web |
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| url = https://www.hse.gov.uk/radiation/nonionising/optical.htm |
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| title = Optical Radiation |
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| website = hse.gov.uk |
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| publisher = Health and Safety Executive |
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| access-date = 2021-11-01 |
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}}</ref> |
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<ref name = "BfS">{{cite web |
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| url = https://www.bfs.de/EN/topics/opt/introduction/introduction.html |
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| title = What is optical radiation? |
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| website = Federal Office for Radiation Protection |
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| publisher = Bundesamt für Strahlenschutz |
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| access-date = 2021-11-01 |
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}}</ref> |
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}} |
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{{Electromagnetic spectrum}} |
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{{Authority control}} |
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[[Category:Electromagnetic spectrum]] |
[[Category:Electromagnetic spectrum]] |
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[[Category:Electromagnetic radiation]] |
[[Category:Electromagnetic radiation]] |
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[[Category:Occupational hazards]] |
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Latest revision as of 18:20, 27 March 2024
Optical radiation is the part of the electromagnetic spectrum with wavelengths between 100 nm and 1 mm.[1][2] This range includes visible light, infrared light, and part of the ultraviolet spectrum.[3] Optical radiation is non-ionizing,[4] and can be focused with lenses and manipulated by other optical elements. Optics is the study of how to manipulate optical radiation.
Sources
[edit]
Optical radiation may be divided into two types:
- Artificial optical radiation
- Artificial optical radiation is produced by artificial sources, including coherent sources such as lasers and incoherent sources such as UV lights, common light bulbs, radiant heaters, welding equipment, etc.[2]
- Natural optical radiation
- Natural optical radiation is primarily produced by the sun.[2]
Effects
[edit]Exposure to optical radiation can result in negative health effects. All wavelengths across this range of the spectrum, from UV to IR, can produce thermal injury to the surface layers of the skin, including the eye. When it comes from natural sources, this sort of thermal injury might be called a sunburn. However, thermal injury from infrared radiation could also occur in a workplace, such as a foundry, where such radiation is generated by industrial processes. At the other end of this range, UV light has enough photon energy that it can cause direct effects to protein structure in tissues, and is well established as carcinogenic in humans. Occupational exposures to UV light occur in welding and brazing operations, for example.
Excessive exposure to natural or artificial UV-radiation means immediate (acute) and long-term (chronic) damage to the eye and skin. Occupational exposure limits may be one of two types: rate limited or dose limited. Rate limits characterize the exposure based on effective energy (radiance or irradiance, depending on the type of radiation and the health effect of concern) per area per time, and dose limits characterize the exposure as a total acceptable dose. The latter is applied when the intensity of the radiation is great enough to produce a thermal injury.
Specifications
[edit]The European Union (EU) has laid down minimum harmonized requirements for the protection of workers against the risks arising from exposure to Artificial Optical Radiation (e.g. UVA, laser, etc.) in the Directive 2006/25/EC. A Non-binding guide to good practice for implementing Directive 2006/25/EC "Artificial Optical Radiation" is available on this page.
References
[edit]- ^ "What is optical radiation?". Federal Office for Radiation Protection. Bundesamt für Strahlenschutz. Retrieved 2021-11-01.
- ^ a b c "What is Optical Radiation?". www.portaleagentifisici.it/. Portale Agenti Fisici. Retrieved 2024-03-24.
- ^ "Optical Radiation". hse.gov.uk. Health and Safety Executive. Retrieved 2021-11-01.
- ^ "Non-ionising radiation". hse.gov.uk. Health and Safety Executive. Retrieved 2024-03-24.
- ^ ISO Online Browsing Platform, ISO 7010 - W027
- ^ ISO Online Browsing Platform, ISO 7010 - W004
