In the early 2010’s, reports were published claiming that compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) produced sufficient UV radiation as to pose a potential photobiological hazard. In response, scientists at the US FDA’s Center for Devices and Radiological Health in Silver Spring, MD conducted round-robin measurements involving three lamp manufacturers and two government research laboratories to gather reliable data on the UV emissions from commercially available CFLs using several OL spectroradiometric platforms and calibration standards. The findings concluded that that the allowable exposure time for the measured lamps would not exceed the short-term exposure limits that have been established by the ICNIRP for healthy individuals, demonstrating the importance of robust measurement techniques, particularly when evaluating potential health hazards.

Source spectral analysis – it affects our daily lives more than we realize. From safety testing of cosmetics, paints, and foods in our homes, to ensuring the reliability and efficiency of growth chambers, solar and star simulators, and tungsten and fluorescent lamps, source spectral analysis ensures accurate test results to improve product knowledge and process understanding.