Edouard Bastarache on fri 9 dec 11
EYE INJURIES DUE TO INFRARED RADIATION
=3D20
=3D20
=3D20
Ceramists may be exposed to this type of radiation.
=3D20
Wavelenghts greater than 750 nm. in the infrared spectrum can produce =3D
lens changes.
La "cataracte des verriers" ( glassblower's cataract ) is an example of =3D
a heat injury that damages the anterior lens capsule among unprotected =3D
glass artist. Denser cataractous changes can occur in unprotected =3D
workers who observe glowing masses of glass or iron for many hours a =3D
day.
=3D20
Another important factor is the distance between the worker and the =3D
source of radiation. In the case of arc welding, infrared radiation =3D
decreases rapidly as a function of distance, so that farther than 3 feet =
=3D
away from where welding takes place, it does not pose an ocular hazard =3D
anymore but, ultraviolet radiation still does. That is why welders wear =3D
tinted glasses and surrounding workers only have to wear clear ones.
=3D20
Conclusion :
When we speak of type of exposure, potters look at their cone packs for =3D
very short periods of time in a repeated way, more often nearing the end =
=3D
of firing; and also according to the use of other methods for measuring =3D
temperature, like the concomitant use of a thermocouple and a reading =3D
device.
=3D20
So, these short-term exposures, usually of a few seconds, are spaced by =3D
quite longer exposure-free periods and the sum of the former does not =3D
correlate well with the concept of many hours a day.
=3D20
We have searched the literature pertaining to Occupational Health and =3D
Safety and have not found a single case of presumed ceramicist=3D92s or =3D
potter=3D92s cataract, even if the trade of potter is quite older than the =
=3D
one of glassblower.
=3D20
It is a good practice, mainly at high temperature, to wear =3D
lightly/medium tinted industrial grade safety glasses to better =3D
visualize cones (ocular ergonomics) and also to reassure those who are =3D
more worried.
These glasses also offer a better protection than typical sun-glasses in =
=3D
the case of projection of hot dust particles from a gas kiln when =3D
looking through the peephole in a soft brick door.
=3D20
By the way with ageing, most if not all of us, will suffer from =3D
cataracts of the senile type. The progress or change and the related =3D
reduction in vision is usually quite slow. Nuclear sclerosis-an =3D
increasing density in the central mass of protein-causes a myopic change =
=3D
than can be corrected by changing glasses for some years-in many =3D
instances
restoring vision to near normal.
=3D20
=3D20
References :
=3D20
1. Occupational & Environmental Medicine, Ladoue J., second edition.
2. Occupational Medicine, Zenz C., third edition.
3. Precis de Medecine du Travail, Desoille H., Scherrer J., Truhaut R., =3D
fifth edition.
4. Oshline & Nioshtic database.
| |
|
