DCHAS-L Archives Sep 30 2010 - Re: UV and gas discharge tubes

Date: Thu, 30 Sep 2010 17:39:30 -0400
Reply-To: DCHAS-L Discussion List <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU>
Sender: DCHAS-L Discussion List <DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU>
From: James Saccardo <James.Saccardo**At_Symbol_Here**CSI.CUNY.EDU>
Subject: Re: UV and gas discharge tubes
In-Reply-To: <33DFA825-62F8-434C-8E60-9E6478AD3FB8**At_Symbol_Here**whitman.edu>

This depends on the wavelength and the age of the bulb. A new bulb at 254nm
 can cause discomfort hours later after less than 1 min exposure. It can be
 hours later when students who have looked at the light feel like they have
 sand or broken glass in their eye.

Check you wavelength and purchase a goggle that can pull this wavelength of
f and allow you to see the spectra.

James

-----Original Message-----
From: DCHAS-L Discussion List [mailto:DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU] On Behalf Of Ka
ren Smith
Sent: Thursday, September 30, 2010 2:33 PM
To: DCHAS-L**At_Symbol_Here**LIST.UVM.EDU
Subject: Re: [DCHAS-L] UV and gas discharge tubes

When I've used these, we put cardboard over the majority of the lamp
(not touching the bulb of course), with a small rectangular slit about
an inch long and 1/4" wide.  I doubt splash goggles are doing much to
protect against any UV, but
reducing the amount of light entering the eye should help.

Karen Smith, CSMM
Chemistry Stockroom Manager
Whitman College
345 Boyer Ave.
Walla Walla, WA 99362
509 527-5272

On Sep 30, 2010, at 10:50 AM, Murphy, Dr. Ruth Ann wrote:

>
> Good Afternoon!
>
> How much of a risk of UV damage to the eye is there from using
> spectroscopes and looking at hydrogen spectra, mercury vapor
> spectra, etc.? One lab text admonishes students not to "look
> directly" at the illuminated lamps.  Do you think this - along with
> wearing the usually splash goggles -  is sufficient precaution?
>
> Thank you.
>
> Ruth Ann
>
>
> Ruth Ann Murphy, Ph.D.
> Professor of Chemistry
> Chairperson, Department of Chemistry, Environmental Science and
> Geology
> Chairperson, Health Professions Advisory Committee
> JAMP Faculty Director
> Goldwater Scholarship Faculty Representative
> The University of Mary Hardin-Baylor
> 900 College Street
> Belton, TX  76513-2599
> Phone 254.295.4542
>
>
>
>

Think green before you print this email.

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