May 3, 2006—According to the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA), there is still an immense misunderstanding by industrial hygienists and the public regarding the harmful effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
In light of the growing concerns over the health risks of occupational exposure to UV radiation, the association has issued recommendations for an aggressive prevention and protection policy. AIHAs Nonionizing Committee created the new position statement.
UV radiation has been associated with human skin cancer and other adverse health effects. It is also linked to erythema, accelerated skin aging, cataracts, retinal burns, photokeratitis, genetic mutation, photosensitivity, and immune suppression.
Many occupations expose workers to excessive amounts of UV radiation from natural sunlight or other manmade sources such as germicidal lamps, welding, and blast furnaces. Occupational exposures to harmful UV radiation can be prevented or minimized through the use of engineering, administrative, and personnel protective equipment controls.
With regards to the increasing number of workers exposed, the levels of exposure, and the subsequent health effects, AIHA encourages industrial hygienists and other occupational and environmental health and safety (OEHS) specialists to be proactive and assist their institutions and organizations in increasing management, worker, and public awareness, and learning more about UV radiation and effective control techniques regarding occupational exposures.
AIHA’s new position statement on UV radiation is available on the AIHA Web site under “Government Affairs.”
