|  | Public Health Safety | Medical Research

What Are the Dangers of Exposure to Black Lights?

Blacklights are ultraviolet lights, and in small amounts ultraviolet (UV) radiation helps vitamin D production and is considered helpful. In larger amounts, UV rays might be dangerous to health, having been linked to conditions like cancer and eye problems. Exposure to black lights should be limited when possible to avoid eye, skin and immune system problems.

  1. Skin Issues

    • Ultraviolet light damages the skin's epidermis. This damage can lead to the beginning stages of cancer, according to the Skin Cancer Foundation. Ultraviolet light is commonly used in tanning beds, and many people might not know that the light cast by a black light is the same type of light. Limiting skin exposure to ultraviolet lights is recommended to avoid the increased risk of skin cancer. Exposure to black lights and ultraviolet light also can cause skin imperfections, including wrinkles and early signs of aging.

    Eye Problems

    • Long-term exposure to black lights can cause permanent eye damage. Particularly, ultraviolet light is associated with the development of cataracts because of damage to the eye's surface. Damage to the back of the eye can cause retinal problems such as retinal aging and macular degeneration, a condition that leads to lost vision in the center of the vision field. Exposure to UV rays can also cause cancer of the eyelids and a pterygium, a non-cancerous growth on the eye.

    Immune Issues

    • Ultraviolet light's effects are not limited to the body's skin and eyes. Exposure to ultraviolet light in black lights can cause suppression of the immune system. The World Health Organization (WHO) warns of the possible link between immune function and UV exposure. When UV rays are absorbed by the skin, cellular unbalance occurs. This unbalance throws off the immune system's function at the cellular level.

Medical Research - Related Articles