How effective are UV opaque face shields in UVB phototherapy cabins?
A few hours after servicing illuminated lamps inside a whole body ultraviolet radiation B (UVB) phototherapy cabin, a technician developed erythema to the anterior neck with subsequent peeling, despite wearing a UV-opaque face shield. Measurements using polysulphone film badges attached to various sites on the head and neck of a mannikin were carried out to explore the spatial distribution of UVB exposure. It was found that the lower face and neck can receive sufficient exposure to result in erythema, the reason being that the fluorescent lamps will extend to about 1.5 m inferior to the head of an upright person and so result in irradiation from below. It is important, therefore, that if operators or service personnel need to be in an illuminated UVB cabin for several minutes or more, adequate protection should be provided to the chin and neck, in addition to a UV-opaque face shield.
Regional Medical Physics Department, Newcastle General Hospital, UK.
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Hamilton
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Diffey
D004890:Erythema / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006260:Head Protective Devices; D006801:Humans; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D014467:Ultraviolet Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*