How does ultraviolet radiation affect the human body? Ultraviolet rays: the effect of UV radiation on the human body. What positive effects does ultraviolet have on humans?

I remember disinfection with UV lamps from childhood - in kindergartens, sanatoriums and even in summer camps there were somewhat frightening structures that glowed with a beautiful purple light in the dark and from which teachers drove us away. So what exactly is ultraviolet radiation and why does a person need it?

Perhaps the first question that needs to be answered is what ultraviolet rays are and how they work. This is usually the name for electromagnetic radiation, which is in the range between visible and x-ray radiation. Ultraviolet is characterized by a wavelength from 10 to 400 nanometers.
It was discovered back in the 19th century, and this happened thanks to the discovery of infrared radiation. Having discovered the IR spectrum, in 1801 I.V. Ritter turned his attention to the opposite end of the light spectrum during experiments with silver chloride. And then several scientists immediately came to the conclusion that ultraviolet radiation is heterogeneous.

Today it is divided into three groups:

• UVA radiation – near ultraviolet;
• UV-B – medium;
• UV-C - far.

This division is largely due to the impact of rays on humans. The natural and main source of ultraviolet radiation on Earth is the Sun. In fact, it is this radiation that we protect ourselves from with sunscreens. In this case, far ultraviolet radiation is completely absorbed by the Earth's atmosphere, and UV-A just reaches the surface, causing a pleasant tan. And on average, 10% of UV-B provokes those same sunburns, and can also lead to the formation of mutations and skin diseases.

Artificial ultraviolet sources are created and used in medicine, agriculture, cosmetology and various sanitary institutions. Ultraviolet radiation can be generated in several ways: by temperature (incandescent lamps), by the movement of gases (gas lamps) or metal vapors (mercury lamps). Moreover, the power of such sources varies from several watts, usually small mobile emitters, to kilowatts. The latter are mounted in large stationary installations. The areas of application of UV rays are determined by their properties: the ability to accelerate chemical and biological processes, the bactericidal effect and the luminescence of certain substances.

Ultraviolet is widely used to solve a wide variety of problems. In cosmetology, the use of artificial UV radiation is used primarily for tanning. Solariums create fairly mild ultraviolet-A according to the introduced standards, and the share of UV-B in tanning lamps is no more than 5%. Modern psychologists recommend solariums for the treatment of “winter depression,” which is mainly caused by a deficiency of vitamin D, as it is formed under the influence of UV rays. UV lamps are also used in manicure, since it is in this spectrum that especially resistant gel polishes, shellac and the like dry.

Ultraviolet lamps are used to create photographs in unusual situations, for example, to capture space objects that are invisible through a regular telescope.

Ultraviolet light is widely used in expert activities. With its help, the authenticity of paintings is verified, since fresher paints and varnishes look darker in such rays, which means the real age of the work can be established. Forensic scientists also use UV rays to detect traces of blood on objects. In addition, ultraviolet light is widely used for the development of hidden seals, security elements and threads confirming the authenticity of documents, as well as in the lighting design of shows, signs of establishments or decorations.

In medical institutions, ultraviolet lamps are used to sterilize surgical instruments. In addition, air disinfection using UV rays is still widespread. There are several types of such equipment.

This is the name given to high- and low-pressure mercury lamps, as well as xenon flash lamps. The bulb of such a lamp is made of quartz glass. The main advantage of bactericidal lamps is their long service life and immediate ability to work. Approximately 60% of their rays are in the bactericidal spectrum. Mercury lamps are quite dangerous to operate; if the housing is accidentally damaged, thorough cleaning and demercurization of the room is necessary. Xenon lamps are less dangerous if damaged and have higher bactericidal activity. Germicidal lamps are also divided into ozone and ozone-free. The former are characterized by the presence in their spectrum of a wave with a length of 185 nanometers, which interacts with oxygen in the air and turns it into ozone. High concentrations of ozone are dangerous to humans, and the use of such lamps is strictly limited in time and recommended only in a ventilated area. All this led to the creation of ozone-free lamps, the bulb of which was coated with a special coating that did not transmit a wave of 185 nm to the outside.

Regardless of the type, bactericidal lamps have common disadvantages: they operate in complex and expensive equipment, the average operating life of the emitter is 1.5 years, and the lamps themselves, after burning out, must be stored packaged in a separate room and disposed of in a special way in accordance with current regulations.

Consist of a lamp, reflectors and other auxiliary elements. There are two types of such devices - open and closed, depending on whether UV rays pass out or not. Open ones release ultraviolet radiation, enhanced by reflectors, into the space around them, capturing almost the entire room at once if installed on the ceiling or wall. It is strictly prohibited to treat a room with such an irradiator in the presence of people.
Closed irradiators operate on the principle of a recirculator, inside of which a lamp is installed, and a fan draws air into the device and releases the already irradiated air outside. They are placed on the walls at a height of at least 2 m from the floor. They can be used in the presence of people, but long-term exposure is not recommended by the manufacturer, since some of the UV rays may pass out.
The disadvantages of such devices include immunity to mold spores, as well as all the difficulties of recycling lamps and strict regulations for use depending on the type of emitter.

Bactericidal installations

A group of irradiators combined into one device used in one room is called a bactericidal installation. They are usually quite large and have high energy consumption. Air treatment with bactericidal installations is carried out strictly in the absence of people in the room and is monitored according to the Commissioning Certificate and the Registration and Control Log. Used only in medical and hygienic institutions to disinfect both air and water.

Disadvantages of ultraviolet air disinfection

In addition to what has already been listed, the use of UV emitters has other disadvantages. First of all, ultraviolet radiation itself is dangerous for the human body; it can not only cause skin burns, but also affect the functioning of the cardiovascular system and is dangerous for the retina. In addition, it can cause the appearance of ozone, and with it the unpleasant symptoms inherent in this gas: irritation of the respiratory tract, stimulation of atherosclerosis, exacerbation of allergies.

The effectiveness of UV lamps is quite controversial: inactivation of pathogens in the air by permitted doses of ultraviolet radiation occurs only when these pests are static. If microorganisms move and interact with dust and air, then the required radiation dose increases by 4 times, which a conventional UV lamp cannot create. Therefore, the efficiency of the irradiator is calculated separately, taking into account all parameters, and it is extremely difficult to select those suitable for influencing all types of microorganisms at once.

The penetration of UV rays is relatively shallow, and even if immobile viruses are under a layer of dust, the upper layers protect the lower ones by reflecting ultraviolet radiation from themselves. This means that after cleaning, disinfection must be carried out again.
UV irradiators cannot filter the air; they only fight microorganisms, keeping all mechanical pollutants and allergens in their original form.

has both positive and negative effects on the body. It all depends on the dose of ultraviolet radiation that the body receives. When exposed to the sun for a long time, it is recommended to use special protective equipment.

Positive effects of ultraviolet radiation

Ultraviolet radiation has a dual effect on the human body: both positive and negative.

The biological effect of ultraviolet radiation is mainly manifested in its ability to trigger the most important biochemical and physiological processes. In particular, under the influence of ultraviolet radiation, the process of synthesis of vitamin D, necessary for normal calcium metabolism, is launched. In addition, the positive effect of ultraviolet radiation on the immune system and skin has been proven. In the latter case, ultraviolet helps reduce inflammatory manifestations on the skin, such as acne, vitiligo and others.

Negative effects of ultraviolet radiation on the body

As you know, everything is good in moderation. Excessive exposure to ultraviolet rays harms your body, primarily your skin.

The main sources of ultraviolet radiation are. Excessive insolation leads to accelerated pigmentation of the skin, promotes the formation of freckles, age spots and moles. According to recent studies, ultraviolet radiation also contributes to the development of malignant skin tumors. The mechanism of this phenomenon is probably associated with the development of oxidative stress caused by ultraviolet radiation.

Ultraviolet rays have a negative effect on connective tissue. Thus, the skin loses its elasticity and firmness, which accelerates its aging. High doses of ultraviolet radiation cause burns. People with fair skin suffer the most from such burns.

Considering the harmfulness of excessive insolation, doctors advise not to be in the open sun from 11 to 16 hours, and to use special means when visiting the beaches. The main one is special sunscreen creams and lotions.

Ultraviolet radiation specifically affects living cells without affecting the chemical composition of water and air, which distinguishes it extremely favorably from all chemical methods of disinfection and disinfection of water.

Recent advances in lighting and electrical engineering make it possible to ensure a high degree of reliability in water disinfection with ultraviolet rays.

What kind of radiation is this

Ultraviolet radiation, ultraviolet rays, UV radiation, electromagnetic radiation invisible to the eye, occupying the spectral region between visible and X-ray radiation within the wavelength range of 400-10 nm. The entire region of UV radiation is conventionally divided into near (400-200 nm) and far, or vacuum (200-10 nm); the latter name is due to the fact that the UV radiation of this area is strongly absorbed by air and is studied using vacuum spectral instruments.

Natural sources of UV radiation are the Sun, stars, nebulae and other space objects. However, only the long-wave part of UV radiation - 290 nm - reaches the earth's surface. Shorter wavelength UV radiation is absorbed by ozone, oxygen and other components of the atmosphere at an altitude of 30-200 km from the Earth's surface, which plays a large role in atmospheric processes.

Artificial sources of UV radiation. For various applications of UV radiation, the industry produces mercury, hydrogen, xenon and other gas-discharge lamps, the windows of which (or the entire bulb) are made of materials transparent to UV radiation (usually quartz). Any high-temperature plasma (plasma of electric sparks and arcs, plasma formed by focusing powerful laser radiation in gases or on the surface of solids, etc.) is a powerful source of UV radiation.

Despite the fact that ultraviolet radiation is given to us by nature itself, it is unsafe

There are three types of ultraviolet: “A”; "B"; "WITH". The ozone layer prevents Ultraviolet C from reaching the earth's surface. Light in the ultraviolet “A” spectrum has a wavelength from 320 to 400 nm, light in the ultraviolet “B” spectrum has a wavelength from 290 to 320 nm. UV radiation has sufficient energy to affect chemical bonds, including in living cells.

The energy from the ultraviolet component of sunlight causes damage to microorganisms at the cellular and genetic levels, the same damage done to humans, but it is limited to the skin and eyes. Sunburn is caused by exposure to ultraviolet B rays. Ultraviolet “A” penetrates much deeper than ultraviolet “B” and contributes to premature aging of the skin. In addition, exposure to ultraviolet A and B leads to skin cancer.

From the history of ultraviolet rays

The bactericidal effect of ultraviolet rays was discovered about 100 years ago. The first laboratory tests of UVR in the 1920s were so promising that complete eradication of airborne infections seemed possible in the very near future. UVI has been widely used since the 1930s and was first used in 1936 to sterilize the air in a surgical operating room. In 1937, the first use of UVR in the ventilation system of an American school impressively reduced the incidence of measles and other infections among students. Then it seemed that a wonderful remedy had been found to combat airborne infections. However, further study of UVR and its dangerous side effects has seriously limited its use in the presence of people.

The penetration power of ultraviolet rays is small and they travel only in a straight line, i.e. In any workroom, many shaded areas are formed that are not subject to bactericidal treatment. As you move away from the source of ultraviolet radiation, its biocidal action decreases sharply. The action of the rays is limited to the surface of the irradiated object, and its purity is of great importance.

Bactericidal effect of ultraviolet light

The disinfecting effect of UV radiation is mainly due to photochemical reactions, which result in irreversible DNA damage. In addition to DNA, ultraviolet radiation also affects other cell structures, in particular RNA and cell membranes. Ultraviolet light, as a high-precision weapon, specifically affects living cells without affecting the chemical composition of the environment, which is the case for chemical disinfectants. The latter property distinguishes it extremely favorably from all chemical methods of disinfection.

Application of ultraviolet

Ultraviolet is currently used in various areas: medical institutions (hospitals, clinics, hospitals); food industry (food, drinks); pharmaceutical industry; veterinary medicine; for disinfection of drinking, recycled and waste water.

Modern advances in lighting and electrical engineering have provided the conditions for the creation of large UV disinfection complexes. The widespread introduction of UV technology into municipal and industrial water supply systems makes it possible to ensure effective disinfection (disinfection) of both drinking water before being supplied to the city water supply network and wastewater before being released into water bodies. This eliminates the use of toxic chlorine and significantly increases the reliability and safety of water supply and sewerage systems in general.

Ultraviolet water disinfection

One of the urgent tasks in the disinfection of drinking water, as well as industrial and domestic wastewater after their clarification (biological purification) is the use of technology that does not use chemical reagents, i.e. technology that does not lead to the formation of toxic compounds during the disinfection process (as in the case of chlorine compounds and ozonation) while simultaneously completely destroying pathogenic microflora.

There are three sections of the ultraviolet radiation spectrum, which have different biological effects. Ultraviolet radiation with a wavelength of 390-315 nm has a weak biological effect. UV rays in the range of 315-280 nm have an antirachitic effect, and ultraviolet radiation with a wavelength of 280-200 nm has the ability to kill microorganisms.

Ultraviolet rays with a wavelength of 220-280 have a detrimental effect on bacteria, with the maximum bactericidal effect corresponding to a wavelength of 264 nm. This circumstance is used in bactericidal installations designed to disinfect mainly groundwater. The source of ultraviolet rays is a mercury-argon or mercury-quartz lamp, installed in a quartz case in the center of the metal case. The cover protects the lamp from contact with water, but allows ultraviolet rays to pass through. Disinfection occurs during the flow of water in the space between the body and the cover with direct exposure to ultraviolet rays on microbes.

The bactericidal effect is assessed in units called bacts (b). To ensure the bactericidal effect of ultraviolet irradiation, approximately 50 μb min/cm2 is sufficient. UV irradiation is the most promising method of water disinfection with high efficiency against pathogenic microorganisms, which does not lead to the formation of harmful by-products, which sometimes causes ozonation.

UV irradiation is ideal for disinfecting artesian waters

The view that groundwater is considered free of microbial contaminants as a result of water filtration through the soil is not entirely correct. Research has shown that groundwater is free of large microorganisms, such as protozoa or helminths, but smaller microorganisms, such as viruses, can penetrate the soil into underground water sources. Even if bacteria are not found in the water, disinfection equipment should serve as a barrier against seasonal or emergency contamination.

UV irradiation should be used to ensure water disinfection to standard quality in terms of microbiological indicators, while the required doses are selected based on the required reduction in the concentration of pathogenic and indicator microorganisms.

UV irradiation does not form reaction by-products; its dose can be increased to values ​​that ensure epidemiological safety for both bacteria and viruses. It is known that UV radiation acts on viruses much more effectively than chlorine, so the use of ultraviolet radiation in the preparation of drinking water allows, in particular, to largely solve the problem of removing hepatitis A viruses, which is not always solved with traditional chlorination technology.

The use of UV irradiation as disinfection is recommended for water that has already been purified for color, turbidity and iron content. The effect of water disinfection is monitored by determining the total number of bacteria in 1 cm3 of water and the number of indicator bacteria of the E. coli group in 1 liter of water after its disinfection.

Today, flow-type UV lamps are widely used. The main element of this installation is a block of irradiators consisting of UV spectrum lamps in an amount determined by the required productivity for treated water. Inside the lamp has a cavity for flow. Contact with UV rays occurs through special windows inside the lamp. The body of the installation is made of metal, which protects against the penetration of rays into the environment.

Water supplied to the installation must meet the following requirements:

• total iron content – ​​no more than 0.3 mg/l, manganese – 0.1 mg/l;


• hydrogen sulfide content – ​​no more than 0.05 mg/l;


• turbidity – no more than 2 mg/l for kaolin;


• color – no more than 35 degrees.

The ultraviolet disinfection method has the following advantages over oxidative disinfection methods (chlorination, ozonation):

• UV irradiation is lethal to most aquatic bacteria, viruses, spores and protozoa. It destroys the causative agents of infectious diseases such as typhoid, cholera, dysentery, viral hepatitis, polio, etc. The use of ultraviolet light allows for more effective disinfection than chlorination, especially in relation to viruses;


• disinfection with ultraviolet light occurs due to photochemical reactions inside microorganisms, therefore, changes in the characteristics of water have a much smaller impact on its effectiveness than when disinfecting with chemical reagents. In particular, the effect of ultraviolet radiation on microorganisms is not affected by water pH and temperature;


• toxic and mutagenic compounds that have a negative impact on the biocenosis of water bodies are not detected in water treated with ultraviolet radiation;


• unlike oxidative technologies, there are no negative effects in case of overdose. This makes it possible to significantly simplify control over the disinfection process and not carry out tests to determine the residual concentration of the disinfectant in the water;


• the disinfection time under UV irradiation is 1-10 seconds in flow mode, so there is no need to create contact containers;


• Recent achievements in lighting and electrical engineering make it possible to ensure a high degree of reliability of UV complexes. Modern UV lamps and ballasts for them are mass-produced and have a long service life;


• Disinfection with ultraviolet radiation is characterized by lower operating costs than with chlorination and, especially, ozonation. This is due to relatively low energy costs (3-5 times less than with ozonation); no need for expensive reagents: liquid chlorine, sodium or calcium hypochlorite, as well as no need for dechlorination reagents;


• there is no need to create warehouses of toxic chlorine-containing reagents that require compliance with special technical and environmental safety measures, which increases the reliability of water supply and sewerage systems in general;


• ultraviolet equipment is compact, requires minimal space, its implementation is possible in the existing technological processes of treatment facilities without stopping them, with minimal volumes of construction and installation work.

Water, sunlight and oxygen contained in the earth’s atmosphere are the main conditions for the emergence and factors that ensure the continuation of life on our planet. At the same time, it has long been proven that the spectrum and intensity of solar radiation in the vacuum of space are unchanged, and on Earth the impact of ultraviolet radiation depends on many reasons: time of year, geographic location, altitude above sea level, thickness of the ozone layer, cloudiness and the level of concentration of natural and industrial impurities in the air.

What are ultraviolet rays

The sun emits rays in ranges visible and invisible to the human eye. The invisible spectrum includes infrared and ultraviolet rays.

Infrared radiation is electromagnetic waves with a length of 7 to 14 nm, which carry a colossal flow of thermal energy to the Earth, and therefore they are often called thermal. The share of infrared rays in solar radiation is 40%.

Ultraviolet radiation is a spectrum of electromagnetic waves, the range of which is divided conventionally into near and far ultraviolet rays. Distant or vacuum rays are completely absorbed by the upper layers of the atmosphere. Under terrestrial conditions, they are artificially generated only in vacuum chambers.

Near ultraviolet rays are divided into three subgroups of ranges:

• long – A (UVA) from 400 to 315 nm;
• medium – B (UVB) from 315 to 280 nm;
• short – C (UVC) from 280 to 100 nm.

How is ultraviolet radiation measured? Today, there are many special devices, both for domestic and professional use, that allow you to measure the frequency, intensity and magnitude of the received dose of UV rays, and thereby assess their likely harmfulness to the body.

Despite the fact that ultraviolet radiation makes up only about 10% of sunlight, it was thanks to its influence that a qualitative leap occurred in the evolutionary development of life - the emergence of organisms from water to land.

Main sources of ultraviolet radiation

The main and natural source of ultraviolet radiation is, of course, the Sun. But man has also learned to “produce ultraviolet light” using special lamp devices:

• high-pressure mercury-quartz lamps operating in the general range of UV radiation - 100-400 nm;
• vital fluorescent lamps generating wavelengths from 280 to 380 nm, with a maximum emission peak between 310 and 320 nm;
• ozone and non-ozone (with quartz glass) bactericidal lamps, 80% of ultraviolet rays of which are at a length of 185 nm.

Both ultraviolet radiation from the sun and artificial ultraviolet light have the ability to affect the chemical structure of cells of living organisms and plants, and at the moment, only some species of bacteria are known that can do without it. For everyone else, the lack of ultraviolet radiation will lead to inevitable death.

So what is the real biological effect of ultraviolet rays, what are the benefits and is there any harm from ultraviolet radiation for humans?

The effect of ultraviolet rays on the human body

The most insidious ultraviolet radiation is short-wave ultraviolet radiation, since it destroys all types of protein molecules.

So why is terrestrial life possible and continuing on our planet? What layer of the atmosphere blocks harmful ultraviolet rays?

Living organisms are protected from hard ultraviolet radiation by the ozone layers of the stratosphere, which completely absorb rays in this range, and they simply do not reach the surface of the Earth.

Therefore, 95% of the total mass of solar ultraviolet comes from long waves (A), and approximately 5% from medium waves (B). But it’s important to clarify here. Despite the fact that there are many more long UV waves and they have great penetrating power, affecting the reticular and papillary layers of the skin, it is the 5% of medium waves that cannot penetrate beyond the epidermis that have the greatest biological impact.

It is mid-range ultraviolet radiation that intensively affects the skin, eyes, and also actively affects the functioning of the endocrine, central nervous and immune systems.

On the one hand, ultraviolet irradiation can cause:

• severe sunburn of the skin - ultraviolet erythema;
• clouding of the lens leading to blindness - cataracts;
• skin cancer – melanoma.

In addition, ultraviolet rays have a mutagenic effect and cause disruptions in the functioning of the immune system, which cause the occurrence of other oncological pathologies.

On the other hand, it is the effect of ultraviolet radiation that has a significant impact on the metabolic processes occurring in the human body as a whole. The synthesis of melatonin and serotonin increases, the level of which has a positive effect on the functioning of the endocrine and central nervous systems. Ultraviolet light activates the production of vitamin D, which is the main component for the absorption of calcium, and also prevents the development of rickets and osteoporosis.

Ultraviolet irradiation of the skin

Skin lesions can be both structural and functional in nature, which, in turn, can be divided into:

1. Acute injuries– arise due to high doses of solar radiation from mid-range rays received in a short time. These include acute photodermatosis and erythema.
2. Delayed damage– occur against the background of prolonged irradiation with long-wave ultraviolet rays, the intensity of which, by the way, does not depend on the time of year or the time of daylight. These include chronic photodermatitis, photoaging of the skin or solar geroderma, ultraviolet mutagenesis and the occurrence of neoplasms: melanoma, squamous cell and basal cell skin cancer. Among the list of delayed injuries is herpes.

It is important to note that both acute and delayed damage can be caused by excessive exposure to artificial sunbathing, not wearing sunglasses, as well as by visiting solariums that use uncertified equipment and/or do not carry out special preventive calibration of ultraviolet lamps.

Skin protection from ultraviolet radiation

If you do not abuse any “sunbathing”, then the human body will cope with protection from radiation on its own, because more than 20% is retained by a healthy epidermis. Today, protection from ultraviolet radiation of the skin comes down to the following techniques that minimize the risk of the formation of malignant neoplasms:

• limiting time spent in the sun, especially during midday summer hours;
• wearing light but closed clothing, because to receive the necessary dose that stimulates the production of vitamin D, it is not at all necessary to cover yourself with a tan;
• selection of sunscreens depending on the specific ultraviolet index characteristic of the area, time of year and day, as well as your own skin type.

Attention! For indigenous residents of central Russia, a UV index above 8 not only requires the use of active protection, but also poses a real threat to health. Radiation measurements and solar indices forecasts can be found on leading weather websites.

Exposure to ultraviolet radiation on the eyes

Damage to the structure of the eye cornea and lens (electro-ophthalmia) is possible with visual contact with any source of ultraviolet radiation. Despite the fact that a healthy cornea does not transmit and reflects 70% of hard ultraviolet radiation, there are many reasons that can become a source of serious diseases. Among them:

• unprotected observation of flares, solar eclipses;
• a casual glance at a star on the sea coast or in high mountains;
• photo injury from camera flash;
• observing the operation of a welding machine or neglecting safety precautions (lack of a protective helmet) when working with it;
• long-term operation of the strobe light in discos;
• violation of the rules for visiting a solarium;
• long-term stay in a room in which quartz bactericidal ozone lamps operate.

What are the first signs of electroophthalmia? Clinical symptoms, namely redness of the eye sclera and eyelids, pain when moving the eyeballs and the sensation of a foreign body in the eye, as a rule, occur 5-10 hours after the above circumstances. However, means of protection against ultraviolet radiation are available to everyone, because even ordinary glass lenses do not transmit most UV rays.

The use of safety glasses with a special photochromic coating on the lenses, the so-called “chameleon glasses,” will be the best “household” option for eye protection. You won't have to worry about wondering what color and shade level of UV filter actually provides effective protection in specific circumstances.

And of course, if you expect eye contact with ultraviolet flashes, it is necessary to wear protective glasses in advance or use other devices that block rays harmful to the cornea and lens.

Application of ultraviolet radiation in medicine

Ultraviolet light kills fungus and other microbes in the air and on the surface of walls, ceilings, floors and objects, and after exposure to special lamps, mold is removed. People use this bactericidal property of ultraviolet light to ensure the sterility of manipulation and surgical rooms. But ultraviolet radiation in medicine is used not only to combat hospital-acquired infections.

The properties of ultraviolet radiation have found their application in a wide variety of diseases. At the same time, new techniques are emerging and constantly being improved. For example, ultraviolet blood irradiation, invented about 50 years ago, was initially used to suppress the growth of bacteria in the blood during sepsis, severe pneumonia, extensive purulent wounds and other purulent-septic pathologies.

Today, ultraviolet irradiation of blood or blood purification helps fight acute poisoning, drug overdose, furunculosis, destructive pancreatitis, obliterating atherosclerosis, ischemia, cerebral atherosclerosis, alcoholism, drug addiction, acute mental disorders and many other diseases, the list of which is constantly expanding. .

Diseases for which the use of ultraviolet radiation is indicated, and when any procedure with UV rays is harmful:

INDICATIONS	CONTRAINDICATIONS
sun starvation, rickets	individual intolerance
wounds and ulcers	oncology
frostbite and burns	bleeding
neuralgia and myositis	hemophilia
psoriasis, eczema, vitiligo, erysipelas	ONMK
respiratory diseases	photodermatitis
diabetes	renal and liver failure
adnexitis	malaria
osteomyelitis, osteoporosis	hyperthyroidism
non-systemic rheumatic lesions	heart attacks, strokes

In order to live without pain, people with joint damage will benefit from an ultraviolet lamp as an invaluable aid in general complex therapy.

The influence of ultraviolet radiation in rheumatoid arthritis and arthrosis, the combination of ultraviolet therapy techniques with the correct selection of biodose and a competent antibiotic regimen is a 100% guarantee of achieving a systemic health effect with a minimal drug load.

In conclusion, we note that the positive effect of ultraviolet radiation on the body and just one single procedure of ultraviolet irradiation (purification) of the blood + 2 sessions in a solarium will help a healthy person look and feel 10 years younger.

UV radiation is electromagnetic waves that are invisible to the human eye. It occupies a spectral position between visible and X-ray radiation. The ultraviolet radiation interval is usually divided into near, middle and far (vacuum).

Biologists made such a division of UV rays so that they could better see the difference in the effect of rays of different lengths on a person.

• Near ultraviolet is commonly called UV-A.
• medium - UV-B,
• far - UV-C.

Ultraviolet radiation comes from the sun and the atmosphere of our planet Earth protects us from the powerful effects of ultraviolet rays. The sun is one of the few natural UV emitters. At the same time, far-ultraviolet UV-C is blocked almost completely by the Earth's atmosphere. Those 10% of long-wave ultraviolet rays reach us in the form of the sun. Accordingly, the ultraviolet that reaches the planet is mainly UV-A, and in small quantities UV-B.

One of the main properties of ultraviolet radiation is its chemical activity, due to which UV radiation has great influence on the human body. Short-wave ultraviolet radiation is considered the most dangerous for our body. Despite the fact that our planet protects us as much as possible from exposure to ultraviolet rays, if you do not take certain precautions, you can still suffer from them. Sources of short-wave radiation are welding machines and ultraviolet lamps.

Positive properties of ultraviolet light

Only in the 20th century did research begin to prove positive effects of UV radiation on the human body. The result of these studies was the identification of the following beneficial properties: strengthening human immunity, activating protective mechanisms, improving blood circulation, dilating blood vessels, increasing vascular permeability, increasing the secretion of a number of hormones.

Another property of ultraviolet light is its ability change carbohydrate and protein metabolism human substances. UV rays can also affect ventilation of the lungs - the frequency and rhythm of breathing, increasing gas exchange, and the level of oxygen consumption. The functioning of the endocrine system also improves; vitamin D is formed in the body, which strengthens the human musculoskeletal system.

Application of ultraviolet radiation in medicine

Quite often, ultraviolet light is used in medicine. Although ultraviolet rays can be harmful to the human body in some cases, they can also be beneficial when used correctly.

Medical institutions have long come up with useful uses for artificial ultraviolet light. There are various emitters that can help a person using ultraviolet rays cope with various diseases. They are also divided into those that emit long, medium and short waves. Each of them is used in a specific case. Thus, long-wave radiation is suitable for treating the respiratory tract, for damage to the osteoarticular apparatus, as well as in the case of various skin injuries. We can also see long-wave radiation in solariums.

Treatment performs a slightly different function mid-wave ultraviolet. It is prescribed mainly to people suffering from immunodeficiency and metabolic disorders. It is also used in the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders and has an analgesic effect.

Shortwave radiation It is also used in the treatment of skin diseases, diseases of the ears, nose, damage to the respiratory tract, diabetes, and damage to the heart valves.

In addition to various devices emitting artificial ultraviolet light, which are used in mass medicine, there are also ultraviolet lasers, having a more targeted effect. These lasers are used, for example, in eye microsurgery. Such lasers are also used for scientific research.

Application of ultraviolet radiation in other areas

In addition to medicine, ultraviolet radiation is used in many other areas, significantly improving our lives. So, ultraviolet is excellent disinfectant, and is used, among other things, for treating various objects, water, and indoor air. Ultraviolet light is widely used and in printing: It is with the help of ultraviolet that various seals and stamps are produced, paints and varnishes are dried, and banknotes are protected from counterfeiting. In addition to its beneficial properties, when applied correctly, ultraviolet light can create beauty: it is used for various lighting effects (most often this happens at discos and performances). UV rays also help in finding fires.

One of the negative consequences of ultraviolet exposure on the human body is electroophthalmia. This term refers to damage to the human organ of vision, in which the cornea of ​​the eye burns and swells, and a cutting pain appears in the eyes. This disease can occur if a person looks at the rays of the sun without special protective equipment (sunglasses) or stays in a snowy area in sunny weather with very bright light. Electroophthalmia can also be caused by quartzing premises.

Negative consequences can also be achieved due to long, intense exposure to ultraviolet rays on the body. There can be quite a lot of such consequences, including the development of various pathologies. The main symptoms of overexposure are

The consequences of strong radiation are the following: hypercalcemia, growth retardation, hemolysis, deterioration of immunity, various burns and skin diseases. People who constantly work outdoors, as well as those people who constantly work with devices that emit artificial ultraviolet light, are most susceptible to excessive exposure.

Unlike UV emitters used in medicine, tanning salons are more dangerous for a person. Visits to solariums are not controlled by anyone other than the person himself. People who often visit solariums in order to achieve a beautiful tan often neglect the negative effects of UV radiation, despite the fact that frequent visits to solariums can even lead to death.

The acquisition of darker skin color occurs due to the fact that our body fights the traumatic effects of UV radiation on it and produces a coloring pigment called melanin. And if redness of the skin is a temporary defect that goes away after some time, then freckles and age spots that appear on the body, which occur as a result of the proliferation of epithelial cells - permanent skin damage.

Ultraviolet light, penetrating deeply into the skin, can change skin cells at the genetic level and lead to ultraviolet mutagenesis. One of the complications of this mutagenesis is melanoma, a skin tumor. It is this that can lead to death.

To avoid the negative effects of exposure to UV rays, you need to provide yourself with some protection. At various enterprises working with devices that emit artificial ultraviolet radiation, it is necessary to use special clothing, helmets, shields, insulating screens, safety glasses, and a portable screen. People who are not involved in the activities of such enterprises need to limit themselves from excessive visits to solariums and prolonged exposure to the open sun, in the summer, use sunscreens, sprays or lotions, and also wear sunglasses and closed clothing made from natural fabrics.

There are also negative consequences from a lack of UV radiation. Long-term absence of UVR can lead to a disease called “light starvation.” Its main symptoms are very similar to those of excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation. With this disease, a person’s immunity decreases, metabolism is disrupted, fatigue, irritability, etc. appear.