Accessibility statement

What is Ultraviolet Radiation?

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is electromagnetic radiation of a wavelength between 100nm (nanometers) and 400nm. Since this is less than the wavelength of visible light, UV radiation cannot be seen. There are 3 types, each of different wavebands:

UV Type

Wavelength

Hazard Rating

UV-A

400-315nm

Low

UV-B

280-315nm

Medium / High

UV-C

100-280nm

High / Very High


UV radiation is associated with a range of applications in the University, such as

  • UV light boxes (transilluminators) to visualise fluorescent markers used in gel electrophoresis of nucleic acids and proteins
  • germicidal sterilisation (e.g. UV lamps used in some microbial safety cabinets)
  • UV cross-linkers
  • produced as a by-product of some process e.g. welding
  • emitted from solid state light sources e.g. light emitting diodes, LEDs or lasers