title: Phototherapy units: comparison of fluorescent ultraviolet B and ultraviolet A units with a high-pressure mercury system.
abstract: Comparison in ultraviolet (UV) dosimetry is reported for three different phototherapy machines. Two of the machines used UV-emitting fluorescent tubes in a standard upright cabinet formation. One of these machines was equipped with predominantly UVB-emitting fluorescent tubes and the other with predominantly UVA-emitting tubes. The third machine consisted of a series of vertically mounted high-pressure mercury halide lamps equipped with two different filters for selection of wavelengths between 295 and 400 nm or 320 and 400 nm. The horizontal UV output of the mercury halide and UVB fluorescent units was reduced between the UV-emitting areas, and it is advised that patients rotate when using these units. It was determined that the vertical uniformity and intensity of UV emission was superior in the mercury halide unit compared with the fluorescent tubed units.
authors: Division of Dermatology, University of California, Los Angeles, School of Medicine 90024.
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Chue
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Borok
authors: N J
authors: NJ
authors: Lowe
mesh_terms: D005453:Fluorescence; D006801:Humans; D008628:Mercury; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D014467:Ultraviolet Therapy / Q000295:instrumentation*
chemical_list: D008628:Mercury