PERSONAL MONITORING OF EXPOSURE TO ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION IN THE CAR MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY

Abstract

At a car factory in Sweden, some of the people engaged in inspecting the paintwork of newly-fabricated cars complained of rashes on the face and a photodermatitis was suspected on preliminary clinical examination. Measurement of the spectrum of optical radiation emitted by the lamps used for this process showed an ultraviolet component and so personal monitoring of ultraviolet (u.v.) radiation exposure in the workplace was carried out using polysulphone film badges. The method and calibration procedure are described. The results indicated a very low u.v. exposure hazard associated with this work practice, with median values of about 3% of the recommended occupational maximum permissible exposure (MPE) limits. In no case did the u.v. dose recorded on a polysulphone film badge exceed the MPE and it was concluded that an ultraviolet-induced photodermatitis was unlikely.