Sources of Ultraviolet Light

• Ultraviolet light is invisible to the human eye. It is emitted by sources such as the sun, tanning beds and even fluorescent light bulbs. It is common knowledge that you must protect yourself from excessive sun exposure, and you must use tanning beds in moderation. However, you may spend most of your day under a fluorescent light bulb.
  
  

The Ultraviolet Index

• According to John P. Kinney, M.D., Craig S. Long, Alan C. Geller, RN, MPH, the UV Index was developed in the United States in 1994. The purpose of the UV Index is to provide you with a guide about the dangers of spending too much time in the sun on any given day. The index categorizes UV ratings on a scale of one through 10. A minimal UV rating of one or two indicates that damage to your body can occur within 30 to 120 minutes of sun exposure. A low UV rating of three or four indicates damage can occur in 15 to 90 minutes. A moderate UV rating of five or six indicates that damage can occur in 10 to 60 minutes. A high UV rating of seven, eight or nine indicates that damage can occur in seven to 40 minutes. A very high UV rating of 10+ indicates that damage can occur in three to 30 minutes of sun exposure.
  
  

UV From Fluorescent Light

• According to GELighting.com, fluorescent lights do emit some UV light. However, it cites a study done by the National Electronics Manufacturers Association indicating that in normal cases, the amount of UV exposure from fluorescent lighting is not enough to be a health concern. GELighting.com asserts that, "UV exposure from sitting indoors under fluorescent lights at typical office light levels for an eight-hour workday is equivalent to just over one minute of exposure to the sun in Washington D.C. on a clear day in July."
  
  

Translating the Assertion into a UV Rating

• There is no published UV rating available on fluorescent lights. This is likely because the UV exposure from fluorescent lights is so small. The UV index states that with a UV rating of 10+, your body can be damaged in as little as three minutes of exposure. A clear July day in Washington D.C. is likely to have a UV Index of 10+. If an eight-hour day of exposure to fluorescent lighting is equivalent to one minute of sun exposure on a 10+ UV Index day, no damage would occur to the average person even from 24 hours of typical fluorescent light exposure. The UV Index, or rating, of fluorescent light would be less than one on the UV Index.
  
  

How to Eliminate all UV Exposure From Fluorescent Light

• Products such as specialized bulbs and protective sleeves are available that eliminate all UV exposure from fluorescent light if you are sensitive to UV light.