Assessment of UV radiation emitted by linear fluorescent lamps in Iran

The aim of the study was to evaluate ultraviolet (UV) radiation emitted from linear fluorescent lamps widely used in Iran. This study was conducted on 40 linear fluorescent lamps (15 different brands) with different wattages. The UV radiation was measured at 2, 5, 20, 50, 150 cm for one, 5, 30, 60 min in 2 spectral values i.e. UVC (100 ≤ wavelength ≤ 280) and UVA (300 ≤ wavelength ≤ 400). Data analysis was carried out by SPSS version 18. There is a significant relationship between measured values at 2, 5, 20, 50, 150 cm with measured values of UVA at 2, 5, 20, 50,150 cm (P < 0.05). There was no significant relationship at other measured amounts (P > 0.05). The results showed that the intensity of UVA emitted from the lamps was less than the permissible limit at all distances. However, this value is higher than the permissible limit for UVC at 150 cm.