Letters
Reactions to UV-article
I was interested to see your article in the Human Factors section of the IAEEL Newsletter 3/93 on lighting and UV radiation. (The ABCs of UV)The paragraph headed "Health Standards" states that it is the length of time that "... the skin in sensitive individuals can be exposed... without harmful effects".
In their recommendations, the International Radiation Protection Association (IRPA) recognizes that it is impossible to protect all the people all the time but warns that a very small percentage of exposed populations may react to UV radiation in artificial light.
J Arwel Barrett
HM Principal Inspector
Health and Safety Executive, UK
Reply: As the writer justly points out, it is impossible to protect all individuals all the time. The purpose of our article was to address concerns raised by building occupants in response to efficient lighting retrofits. The essence of the article-and the conclusion to be drawn from the IRPA recommendations-should still hold true: concerns about UV radiation are not a valid reason to refrain from investing in efficient lighting.
In response to the UV-article, several people have asked if the referred report on UV can be purchased. It can be ordered from ESource and costs US$50. For orders, fax : +(1)-303-440 8502.
Editors