This page is designed to help all users of non-ionizing radiation in
establishing and running an
effective radiation safety program in their laboratory and/or
facilities.
For questions about Electromagnetic Radiation (EMF), LASER Safety,
and Radiofrequency Radiation (RFR) contact Radiation Safety at
206.543.0463 or e-mail: radsaf@u.washington.edu
Laser Safety at the University of Washington is a concern in many settings such as medical spaces, research labs,
industrial setting. Lasers are found embedded in many devices and pose no concern unless the beam can
be viewed. The UW Laser Safety Manual is a good source of information in setting up lasers so that they
can be used and operated safely.
The Laser Safety Manual is available as one pdf file that contains all
content. No additional pdf files are needed to download the entire manual.
Information on laser safety when using laser pointers can be found at
Laser Pointer Safety.
All class 3b and 4 Lasers should be registered with the Radiation Safety Office.
The Laser Registration Form (pdf) should be
printed out and filled in. Please submit all changes to your laser inventory to
Radiation Safety. All Class 3b and 4 lasers should be disabled prior to sending
them to surplus.
Non-ionizing, electro-magnetic (EM) radiation is radiation without enough
energy to remove tightly bound electrons from their orbits around an atoms
nucleus. Examples are microwaves, radio waves (RF), infrared light (IR),
visible light, extremely low frequency (ELF) fields and fields produced by
video display terminals. Extremely Low Frequency field are produced by basics
building electrical current.
These forms of EM energy are generally not dangerous, with some exceptions:
high-energy radio waves microwaves and IR light can cause destructive heating
of biological tissue; intense visible light can cause blindness; and intense UV
can cause blindness and superficial skin burns in high doses over a short period
of time. Skin cancer and cataracts of the eye at lower doses over long periods
of time are also associated hazards. There is debate as to whether long-term
exposure to moderate-to-intense radio-frequency (RF) fields and ELF fields is
harmful to human beings.
The Radiation Safety Office can provide training on the
various aspects of non-ionizing radiation and measure the exposure to employees
of non-ionizing radiation produced by ELF and video display terminals. Contact
Radiation Safety at 206.543.0463 or e-mail: radsaf@u.washington.edu
for additional information.
Ultraviolet light from germicidal lamps in biosafety cabinets and transilluminators
can cause serious skin and eye injuries. The Radiation Safety Office keeps an inventory
of UV sources on campus. Contact Radiation Safety at
206.543.0463 or e-mail: radsaf@u.washington.edu
if you would like to add
your UV sources to the University of Washington inventory. More information on UV
hazards can be found at
Ultraviolet Radiation.
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