Ultra- violet
Radiation
-Amee Thacker
-Noopur Joshi
Introduction:
• Ultraviolet radiations are the electromagnetic energy which falls
between visible rays and X-rays and have wavelength between
10 nm and 400 nm.
• Ultraviolet radiation is produced by high-temperature surfaces,
such as the sun, in a continuous spectrum and by atomic
excitation in a gaseous discharge tube as a discrete spectrum of
wavelengths.
• UVA: Wavelength 315–400 nm
• UVB: Wavelength 280–315 nm
• UVC: Wavelength below 280 nm
• Ultraviolet Radiation has a low power of penetration;
hence, its direct effects on the human body are limited to
the surface skin. The direct effects include reddening of
the skin (sunburn), pigmentation development (suntan),
aging, and carcinogenic changes.
• Ultraviolet sunburns can be mild, causing only redness
and tenderness, or they can be so severe as to produce
blisters, swelling, seepage of fluid, and sloughing of the
outer skin. The blood capillaries (minute vessels) in the
skin dilate with aggregations of red and white blood cells
to produce the red coloration.
• Ultraviolet radiation also has positive effects on the
human body, however. It stimulates the production of
vitamin D in the skin and can be used as a therapeutic
agent for such diseases as psoriasis. Because of its
bactericidal capabilities at wavelengths of 260–280 nm.
• Ultraviolet radiation is useful as both a research tool and a
sterilizing technique.
• Fluroscent lamps exploit the ability of ultraviolet radiation
to interact with materials known as phosphorus that emit
visible light; compared with incandscent lamps,
fluorescent lamps are a more energy-efficient form of
artificial lighting.
Production of
UVR
1. High pressure
mercury vapor
lamp
• It is a U-shaped glass tube filled with argon gas at
low pressure. A small amount of mercury is
enclosed in the tube. The tube is sealed at both
ends. Burner is made up of quartz as this material
allows passage of UVR and can withstand very
high temperature. At the end of glass tubes,
electrodes are placed in metal caps.
• Flow of current across the tube produces heat
making vaporization of liquid mercury (Hg). Hg
vapor gets ionized by flow of current causing
further acceleration of flow of current. UVR
produced by the process of – -Ar Ionization -Hg
Production of
UVR
2. The kromayer
lamp (Water
cooled mercury
vapor lamp)
• It is a water cooled UV lamp which eliminate
the danger of burn and absorb IR. The lamp is
surrounded by circulating distilled water to
absorb IR. A pump and a cooling fan are
organized into body of lamp to cool water. After
using, water circulation should be continued for
5 minutes and then burner is switched off to
cool lamp. At the front of lamp’s head, water is
circulated between two quartz window, which
allows UV to emerge.
Fluorescent
lamps
• Each fluorescent tube is about 120 cm long and made of a type
of glass that allows long-wave ultra-violet to pass. The inside of
the tube is coated with a special phosphor and the spectrum of
each fluorescent tube depends on the type of phosphor coating.
Here, if any short ultraviolet radiation is produced it is absorbed
by the phosphor and is re-emitted at a longer wavelength.
• Depending upon which particular phosphor is used, the output
of the tube may be part UVB and part UV-A or UV-A, as in the
PUVA apparatus, but accurate control of the emitted wavelength
is possible.
Theraktin tunnel
• The theraktin tunnel is a semi-cylindrical lamp, which
has four Fluorescent lamps mounted inside it, with each
tube being mounted in its own reflector, in a way that
even radiation is produced to allow treatment of whole
body to evenly occur in two halves.
PUVA apparatus
• It is usually used for treatment of psoriasis, where a large
amount of UVA, is required. The tubes in PUVA are usually
mounted in a vertical battery on a wall, or four sides of a box
surrounding the patient. This form of ultra-violet radiation is
usually given two hours after the patient has taken a
photoactive drug such as psoralen: hence the term PUVA
Dosage
• Dosage of ultraviolet radiation therapy depends on number of factors
like; distance between lamp and the skin, angle at what the radiation
touches the skin and the time for which skin is exposed to the
radiation.
• Calculation of dosage:
E1 is determined from the skin test and the other erythemal doses are calculated
as follows:
Suberythemal - 75% of E1
E2 = 2.5×E1
E3 = 5×E1
E4 = 10×E1
Double E4 = 20×E1
E4 and double E4 are used on an open wound
Physiological effects
o 1. Erythema: Ultraviolet causes reddening of the skin. Oedema and irritation of the skin
can also occur if application of UV is intense. UVB and UVC are largely absorbed in the
skin which causes the release of histamines and prostaglandins from the keratinocytes
and UV radiation also causes release of nitric oxide which is a vasodilators. Erythema
reaction has been used to classify doses of ultra- violet given to patient.
o 2. Pigmentation: Pigmentation of skin occurs as a result of both the formation of
melanin in the deep region of epidermis and the migration of melanin already formed
into more superficial layers. In already pigmented individuals, some immediate tanning
may occur within as little as 10 min of exposure. The increased melanin content of skin
affords protection by preventing UV radiation reaching the lower layers of the epidermis.
o 3. Thickening of the Epidermis: Stimulation by UV radiation provokes uncaused
keratinocyte cell turnover so that the skin grows more rapidly for a time, leading to
shedding of most of the superficial layers. If the skin recovers, the growth continues so
that the final result is skin thickening, which adds to protection due to pigmentation.
o 4. Peeling: The increased thickness of epidermis is eventually lost as desquamation
(peeling). When this happens, the resistance of the skin to UV is substantially lowered.
Thickening of epidermis and peeling fades over 4-6 weeks if there is no further UV
application.
o 5. Production of Vitamin-D: In the presence of UV, 7- dehydrocholesterol in the
sebum is converted to Vit. D in the skin. Vit. D is necessary for the absorption of calcium
and so has a role to play in the normal formation of bone and teeth. Hospital bound groups
of elderly patients may benefit from the administration of UV light in order to promote
the production of vit. D and reduce osteoporosis and thus frequency of fractures. The UVB
radiation, most effective of producing Vit. D, are in the 280 and 300 nm regions.
o 6. Solar Elastosis and Ageing: The normal ageing process of the skin is accelerated if
there is continued exposure to UV. There is thinning of epidermis, loss of epidermal
ridges, loss of melanocytes, dryness as a result of poor function of sebaceous and sweat
glands and wrinkling from the lack of dermal connective tissue. Prolonged exposure to
UV may cause premature ageing.
o 7. Carcinogenesis: Carcinogenesis is a danger if long exposure to UVB or UVC occurs
as UV rays have an effect on DNA and thus on cell replication. Prolonged exposure to
shorter UV wave should be avoided and course of treatment should not exceed more
than 4 weeks.
o8. Effects on Eyes: Strong doses of UVB and UVC radiation to the eyes can lead to
Therapeutic uses
•Psoriasis
•Acne vulgaris
•Eczema
•Chronic infection
•Vitiligo
•Treatment of vitamin D deficiency
•Pruritus
Contraindications
•Irradiation of the eyes
•Skin cancer
•Pulmonary tuberculosis
•Cardiac, kidney and liver disease
•Systemic lupus erythematosus
•Fever
Dangers
•Burn
•Premature skin aging
•Carcinogenesis
•Damage to eyes
•over dose of ultraviolet therapy
•Shock
Thank you !
