A new methodology for the assessment of hand protection from ultraviolet exposure.
A number of industrial applications and public services involve occupational exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) from a variety of lamps and lasers. The aim of this study was to develop a methodology for the assessment of the UV protection level for disposable gloves. Glove UV protection factor is defined as a time-scale increase in exposure permitted for the hand protected by a glove with respect to an unprotected hand. Our study showed that for all tested gloves a change in UVR attenuation with stretching is characteristic for the type of glove material and can be included as a scaling factor in the definition of UVR protection. Glove material has a bigger effect on UVR protection level than variations in the glove thickness or its colour. Examples of assessment of the 'worst case scenario' are compared with the protection level against a number of sources, together with the guidance on a simplified evaluation protocol. An application-specific assessment, illustrated for 'SmartWater' forensic examinations and biological trans-illuminators, demonstrates that some gloves provide inadequate protection against occupational UV exposure.
Khazova
M
M
HPA-CRCE, Chilton, Didcot OX11 0RQ, UK. marina.khazova@hpa-rp.org.uk
O'Hagan
J B
JB
Grainger
K J-L
KJ
D017575:Gloves, Protective; D006225:Hand; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011835:Radiation Protection; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects*; D017132:Workplace