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Objectives. It is prescribed to determine blue-light hazard (BLH) weighted radiances, $ {L_\textrm{B}} $ L B , for an assessment of spotlights with an angular subtense $ \alpha \ge 11{\mkern 1mu} \,\textrm{mrad} $ α ≥ 11 mrad . The BLH weighted irradiance, $ {E_\textrm{B}} $ E B , can be used alternatively for smaller sources. Appropriate instruments are not common among persons commissioned with risk assessment (RA), and especially $ {L_\textrm{B}} $ L B measurements may be challenging. Therefore, a practical BLH RA approach is proposed that is based on illuminance, $ {E_\textrm{v}} $ E v , pre-calculated blackbody BLH efficacies of luminous radiation, $ K_{\textrm{B,v}}^{\textrm{Planck}} $ K B,v Planck , and solid angle considerations. Methods. The practicality of this method was examined and compared against other RA approaches. Results. To ensure comparability of the applied instruments, measurements were performed close to a radiance standard, showing deviations within the lamp's expanded uncertainties ( $ \lt 4{\mkern 1mu} \% $ < 4 %), whereas the deviations were $ \pm 15\% $ ± 15 % for longer distances. Focusing on a complex light-emitting diode (LED) spotlight, all detected values could be converted to $ {L_\textrm{B}} $ L B by means of the RA methods within $ \pm 20\% $ ± 20 %. Two field tests with several spotlights yielded maximum permissible exposure durations (MPED) obtained from the different RA approaches that agreed among each other within uncertainties largely below $ \pm 30\% $ ± 30 %. Conclusion. The general practicality of the proposed $ {E_\textrm{v}} $ E v method can be concluded for a workplace BLH RA of white-light sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents the new Italian database of physical agents, which is available at http://www.portaleagentifisici. it. It supports in risk assessment employers who have to comply with Italy's Legislative Decree 81/2008 (transposing into law European Union Directives 2003/10/EC, 2002/44/EC, 2004/40/EC and 2006/25/EC). The database currently contains measurements and declared European Community (EC) values from over 2540 machines; in particular, the database hosts data on mechanical vibration from over 1430 hand-held power tools (e.g., pneumatic and electric hammers, chainsaws, grinders, drills, sanders and saws) and from over 1020 whole-body machines (e.g., buses, fork lifts and wheel tractors). The database is continuously updated as soon as new experimental and declared data are acquired. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultraviolet radiation is known to cause both benefits and harmful effects on humans. The adverse effects mainly involve two target organs, skin and eye, and can be further divided into short- and long-term effects. The present case report describes an accidental exposure of two health-care workers to ultraviolet radiation produced by a germicidal lamp in a hospital pharmacy. The germicidal lamp presented a spectrum with an intense UV-C component as well as a modest UV-B contribution. Overexposure to UV-C radiation was over 100 times as large as the ICNIRP exposure limits. A few hours after the exposure, the two subjects reported symptoms of acute UV injury and both of them continued having significant clinical signs for over 2 years. In this study, we describe acute and potentially irreversible effects caused by high UV exposure. In addition, we present the results of risk assessment by occupational exposure to germicidal lamps. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]