title: The use of clinical broadband UV radiometers for optical radiation hazard measurements.
abstract: The implementation of the UK Control of Artificial Optical Radiation at Work Regulations 2010 requires the employer to perform a risk assessment of workers' exposure to UV radiation from phototherapy equipment in the hospital environment. The objective of this study was to demonstrate that, where the source spectrum is known, an assessment of exposure to UV sources commonly used in hospitals, including assessment of reflections and transmission through personal protective equipment, may be performed with sufficient reliability by radiometer measurement rather than by complex spectroradiometric measurements. An intercomparison of radiometer and spectroradiometer measurements of exposure to UV sources was carried out. Direct exposure was considered, as well as exposure to reflected or scattered beams and that transmitted through eyewear. Assessment by radiometer of direct exposure and exposure to reflections demonstrated an acceptable measurement error in the context of the inherent uncertainty in the assumptions of the exposure scenario. Assessment of transmitted beams may result in a greater measurement error due to spectral mismatch; however, for typical exposure scenarios the error remained acceptable in comparison with the exposure limit value. The methodology presented reduces the complexity of the measurement of UV hazard levels for common phototherapy equipment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Physics, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro, Cornwall, UK. Trevelyan.Foy@rcht.cornwall.nhs.uk
authors.forename: Trevelyan
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Foy
mesh_terms: D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D006801:Humans; D055096:Optical Devices; D010789:Phototherapy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011834:Radiation Monitoring / Q000295:instrumentation*; D011835:Radiation Protection / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays