2 replies to this topic

[rptraut]

Hello Everyone;

 

I see that people use UV lights to attract mating ants, so I feel you should be aware of the hazards of UV light.   I'm by no means an expert on this subject but my wife worked as an Optometric Assistant for over 30 years.    She says, first of all, UV light from the sun is a dangerous part of the light spectrum and contributes to many things like sunburn and skin cancer.   The light emitted by bulbs, at a reduced level, is capable of being just as dangerous if it is true UV light.   I became concerned when I saw a photo of a bank of UV lights that would have attracted flying ants from another planet.  All UV light is dangerous.   Most UV bulbs used in industrial settings are covered at all times and I wonder what your opinions are about this.   

 

Numerous examples of warnings exist on the internet but a good summary I found is located here   https://www.hornerli...y-Factsheet.pdf

 

Let me distil it for you.   UV light can cause short and long-term damage, particularly to eyes.   The intensity and duration of exposure are many factors, but a limit I found was five minutes of staring directly into the light.   Further exposure risks things like welders' eye, which doesn't become apparent until much longer after exposure.   Long-term effects are many, but cataracts seem popular.   Suffice to say, it isn't safe to look directly into UV light.   Okay, so as ant keepers trying to attract mating ants, we need to cover those bulbs and don't look directly at the light.   Cloth sheets over the light could be used, but I read that even nylon allows forty percent of UV light to pass through.   Maybe white plastic would be better.   My wife suggests wearing UV filter sunglasses whenever working around an unprotected light.   I don't use this system; I'd like to see some of the setups you use and hear how you operate them.   

 

Another concern I was unaware of is that a UV bulb produces ozone and other dangerous compounds that smell like a photocopier.    When confined in a small space those gases are concentrated and are unsafe to breath.   There's a long list of the harm these compounds cause so provide ventilation and be aware.    Lastly, bulbs that contain mercury are disposed of as hazardous waste.

 

I'd like to add a section on this subject to the "Ant Keeping Health Guide", so I want your opinions and experiences.    Thank you

  RPT

Edited by rptraut, December 13 2024 - 12:58 AM.

[Ants_Dakota]

rptraut,
I highly appreciate this caution when using UV lights, as sometimes us ant keepers can get carried away with trying to catch the queens and not thinking about the long term health risks. I have one question however in relation to your excellent post. Is there a difference between mercury UV lights and LED UV lights, and possibly other types as well? I am fairly certain that LED's cannot emit ozone. I have also read that the spectrum of UV light is important, as some claim that certain wavelengths of UV are safe (or safer) for humans. I would love to hear your wife's opinion if she thinks that UV LED's are dangerous. As always, I appreciate your caring and detailed post! As someone who uses a blacklight setup, I will be following this thread, as safety is a number one priority for me.
Ants_Dakota

[rptraut]

Hello Ants Dakota;

 

Thanks for your comments and question, I share your concern for safety, and I think everyone should be aware of the hazards of UV light.   My wife, like many mothers I'm sure, is concerned about children and the protection of the only eyes they will ever get.   Young tissue tends to be more easily affected by UV light and that person has a longer lifetime for the long-term effects to become apparent.   She knows that many ant keepers are young and need to be informed and parents need to be aware.   What looks like an innocent purchase on the internet can be dangerous if not used safely.   She says that no matter how it's generated, if the label says it produces UV light all safety precautions on the label should be strictly adhered to.   Remember, she wants you to wear UV filter sunglasses when working around an unprotected bulb.   

 

I found an article on workplace safety regulations that you might find interesting.       https://www.prophoto...rk-environment/

 

Ozone is produced by UV light, no matter how it's generated.   Ventilation is often recommended.   Also, mercury vapour lights have to be disposed of as hazardous waste because of their mercury content.

 

From my research I learned that led UV bulbs can be manufactured to produce specific wavelengths of the spectrum.  UVA is used for tanning while UVC is used to disinfect water.   Reading and following all safety measures recommended on the label is really the only way to ensure your safety with any particular product.   

RPT