ECNDT 2006 - We.4.7.

Measurements of UV Radiation During NDT

Inspection
Miroslav OMELIC, Danijela HRMAN, Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval
Architecture, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
More info about this article: https://www.ndt.net/?id=4040

Abstract. Ultraviolet (UV) sources are often used during carrying out non-
destructive examinations for irradiation of testing surfaces.
Due to the intensity of UV sources which are used during NDT inspection it is
expected that examiners can be seriously affected by even moderate exposure to UV
radiation if appropriate working procedures and health and safety protection wear
are not used.
In accordance with valid regulations where permitted energy of UV radiation is
required there is a need for intensity of radiation measurements and inspection of
used UV sources.
The paper will present the preliminary results of intensity measurements of
radiation UV sources during the inspection as well as review of benefits and
possible protection against UV radiation.

1. Introduction

Ultraviolet (UV) sources are often used during carrying out non-destructive examinations
for irradiation of testing surfaces. NDT methods (penetrant testing and magnetic testing)
use detection media that enable indication detection on the surface of a test peace. The dye
of detection media is relevant for indication detection. Indications can be observed in white
light or ultraviolet (UV) light. Fluorescent detection media fluorescence when exposed to
UV light and the indication become visible to the eye.
In accordance with valid regulations where permitted energy of UV radiation is
given there is a need for intensity of radiation measurements and inspection of used UV
sources. Measurements of intensity of UV radiation to which NDT personnel (especially
MT and PT personnel) are exposed to, are not conducted in common practice.
The goal of this paper is to inform about importance of using proper working
procedures and health and safety protection wear especially for eye protection from UV
radiation.

2. Electromagnetic spectrum

Electromagnetic spectrum is consisted of:

• Non-ionizing radiation.
• Ionizing radiation.
Electromagnetic spectrum with belonging wave lengths and frequencies is shown on
Figure 1.

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 Figure 1: Electromagnetic spectrum with wave lengths and frequencies

2.1 Ultraviolet radiation

According to Croatian Regulation on protection from non-ionizing radiation [1] optical

radiation stands for electromagnetic waves with frequencies from 300 GHz to 3.000.000
GHz and wave lengths from 100 nm to 1 mm. The part of optical radiation is ultraviolet
radiation with wavelengths in the range of 180 to 400 nm. There are three types of
ultraviolet radiation:
• UV-A 315 nm > λ ≥ 400 nm.
• UV-B 280 nm > λ ≥ 315 nm.
• UV-C 180 nm > λ ≥ 280 nm.
Long exposure to UV radiation, without proper protection, can cause serious skin
burns, can accelerate skin aging processes, and increase the risk of skin cancer. UV
radiation can also cause cataract and retina damage. The damages of the eye tissue caused
by frequent exposure to UV radiation without proper protection are cumulative and non-
reversible.

2.2 Artificial sources of ultraviolet radiation

Non-destructive penetrant and magnetic testing with fluorescent media are conducted using
UV radiation with wavelength λ ≈ 365 nm (± 20 nm). When fluorescent material is
irradiated with that sort of electromagnetic radiation there is an emission in visible part of
spectrum (400 – 550 nm).
High Intensity Discharge (HID) light bulbs used as a light source emit light in
required radiation spectra. Low, medium and high pressure mercury lamps are placed in
protective housing. The higher pressure and concentration of mercury vapours is the
intensity of UV radiation raise.
The intensity of UV radiation on test peace surface shall not be smaller than 10 W/m2
and the distance between UV source and surface not lees than 200 mm. The effective
irradiation from light source during the exposition of 1 second is 10 J/m2.
To minimise emission of white light, light sources are equipped with special filters
made of black glass. Technically, the presence of white light can have negative influence
on detection of indication, filtration of infrared radiation, and filtration of radiation with
wavelengths less than 320 nm.
According to Regulation on basic requirements imposed on devices that produce
optical radiation and conditions and measures of protection from optical radiation [2]
maximal permissible values of effective irradiation during eye exposure are.
• For wavelengths λ = 315 - 400 nm (UV-A) during 8 hours: 104 J/m2.
• For wavelengths λ = 180 - 315 nm (UV-B/C): 30 J/m2.
Maximal permissible values of effective irradiation during the skin exposure to non
coherent optical radiation (in the range 180 - 400 nm), is: 30 J/m2.

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3. Preliminary measurements

Since NDT personnel are exposed to UV radiation during extent period of time, there is a risk that
acceptable values of effective irradiation are exceeded. It is common practice that measurements
are conducted without proper protective goggles. Preliminary measurements were conducted in
order to determine intensity of UV radiation on test peace surface. Following light sources were
used for measurements:
• Natural light source – Sun, during the sunny day in open space.
• Artificial light source – middle pressure (HID) light bulb, with and without protective
filter.
• Artificial light source – high pressure (HID) light bulb, with protective filter.
Artificial sources of UV radiation are shown on Figure 2.
Measurements were conducted with analogue UV radiation intensity meter TIEDE J 221
which can measure wavelengths between 300 and 400 nm, with maximal sensitivity at 365 nm [3].
During the measurements, for determination of UV radiation absorption, different
materials were used: welding mask glass, transparent, 3 mm thick, Plexiglas, transparent, 2
mm thick and glass specially designed for the UV radiation protection.

with middle pressure with high pressure (HID) without protective filter generation of UV
(HID) light bulb light bulb radiation in light bulb

Figure 2: Artificial sources of UV radiation

3.1 Measurements results

Measurements results are given in Table 1.

Table 1. Measurements results

Source of UV radiation: A – Sun, open space, direct exposure

Protection: none glass Plexiglas protective
goggles
Io [μW/cm2] 12.000 9.000 9.500 9.000
2
If [μW/cm ] 7.000 6.500 7.000 7.500
(Io – If) ⋅ 1,06 [μW/cm ]
2
4.240 2.650 2.650 1.590

Source of UV radiation: B – middle pressure (HID) light bulb , with filter, distance 300 mm
Protection: none glass Plexiglas protective
goggles
Io [μW/cm2] 1.850 1.400 570 300
2
If [μW/cm ] 280 200 200 280
(Io – If) ⋅ 1,06 [μW/cm ]
2
1.664 1.272 392 21

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 Table 1. Measurements results

Source of UV radiation: C – middle pressure (HID) light bulb , without filter, distance 300 mm
Protection: none glass Plexiglas protective
goggles
Io [μW/cm2] 6.000 4.800 3.300 2.100
2
If [μW/cm ] 1.800 1.500 1.700 1.600
(Io – If) ⋅ 1,06 [μW/cm ]
2
4.452 3.498 1.696 530

Source of UV radiation: D – high pressure (HID) light bulb , with filter, distance 300 mm
Protection: none glass Plexiglas protective
goggles
Io [μW/cm2] 180.000 144.000 76.500 9.000
2
If [μW/cm ] 4.950 4.050 4.050 4.950
(Io – If) ⋅ 1,06 [μW/cm ]
2
188.553 148.347 76.797 4.293

Because of high values of intensity and limited measurement range of analogue UV

radiation intensity meter, in case D (according to the table 1) measurements were conducted at the
distance of 900 mm. For the same reason there was no measurement without protective filter. To
ensure traceability, measurement results are calculated for the same distance as in other cases (300
mm). From measurement results it can be seen that different materials have different ability of
absorption of UV radiation. Protective goggles have the highest values of absorption in all
measurements. Therefore, it can be concluded from preliminary results that proper protection is
gain only by mean of glass specially designed for the UV radiation protection.

4. Conclusion

Due to the high intensity of UV light sources used during NDT inspection and according to
Regulations [2] it can be expected that UV radiation can act harmful on personnel that carry
out examinations especially if appropriate working procedures and health and safety
protection wear are not used.
There is a need for working procedure that will define proper usage and handling of
UV sources in order to reduce the amount of irradiation of NDT personnel. It must be
stated that UV sources shall not be directed to the eyes or on unprotected parts of body.
Special emphasise must be given on protective filters of UV sources.
Measurement device used for carrying out preliminary measurements has sensitivity
range only in the UV-A spectrum, so intensity of irradiation in UV-B/C spectrum is
unknown. From Regulations it can be seen that permitted values of irradiation for that part
of UV spectrum are considerably smaller than in the UV-A spectrum. In order to get more
preferable values on irradiation of personnel, measurements should be carried out with
measurement devices that are sensitive in UV-A/B/C spectrum.

5. References

[1] Regulation on protection from non-ionizing radiation, Narodne novine No. 204/2003.
[2] Regulation for basic requirements for devices which produce optical radiation and conditions for
protection of optical radiation, Narodne novine No. 204/2003.
[3] http://www.uvp.com/new/index.php; Ultraviolet products; (06. July 2005.).