Ultraviolet light, or UV light, is an unavoidable part of our ecosystem. The ozone layer acts as an efficient protection layer against UV radiation. However, the rise in air pollution is damaging our ecosystem and the uniformity of the ozone layer. As a result, direct UV light exposure increases, and this overexposure causes damage to human skin. Leveraging technology is one such way to avoid Ultraviolet radiation. Therefore, smart cities and IoT can help solve this overexposure by monitoring the UV light radiation levels in the environment. Thus, Monitoring UV levels can provide insight towards environmental health to avoid skin damage better.
What Is Ultraviolet Radiation?
Electromagnetic radiations are an integral part of the environment. Ultrasonic light is one such electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength from 10nm to 380nm. Furthermore, UV light has wavelengths longer than X-rays but shorter than visible light. UV light is a form of ionizing radiation, which means it can change an atom’s chemistry. Thus, it can even damage DNA in cells.
UV light rays have three categories based on energy emission. From low energy emission to high, these three categories are UVA, UVB, and UVC. However, no type of UV light rays can penetrate deep into the body, and as such, its effects are mainly limited to the skin only.
The primary source of UV light is Sunlight. UVA & UVB makes the most UV light presence in sun rays. These two types can result in sunburns, wrinkles, and skin cancer. There are also a few artificial UV light sources, including tanning beds, phototherapy, black lights, welding torches, and UV light sanitizers.
Influences Of Ultraviolet Radiation
Even though UV rays are low energy, their longer wavelength can result in chemical reactions. For instance, it can cause substances to fluoresce or glow. Moreover, UV lights have several biological effects as well based on their interaction with organic molecules.
Some common effects of overexposure to UV lights include Sunburn and tanning. However, the most threatening result of UV light exposure includes the risk of skin cancer. Therefore, it is essential to keep track of what is the safe amount of exposure to UV lights. However, the effects of UV light also vary slightly based on the person’s skin.
On the other side, it is crucial to understand that UV light exposure also has its advantages. UV light is also useful to sanitize areas and items. Ultraviolet radiation is effective in getting rid of bacterias and viruses from objects and surfaces. Therefore, various delivery and preservation systems are now leveraging UV lights.
Ultraviolet Radiation Monitoring System & Devices:
UV light radiation monitoring can play an important role in observing environmental health. More importantly, it can be helpful in regulating the safe amount of UV exposure to the skin. There are several ways to measure UV light exposure to the screen. UV light detection devices leverage silicon semiconductors that selectively detect the UV light intensity. These sensors use the differential spectral response to selectively detect the UV light exposure in particular.
Most importantly, UV light sensors are small & lightweight to carry in day-to-day life. Accordingly, these sensors are wearable in such a way that they can receive the same amount of exposure as the skin. These sensors would detect a person’s individual exposure level. As a result, the user can access exposure statistics with the help of a simple communication provision. Based on the collection of data, these sensors would provide suitable suggestions through interactive apps.
Being affordable, small, and lightweight allows manufacturers to add UV light sensing as an addition to other wearable devices. For instance, using UV sensing with a temperature and humidity sensor would create more value as a skincare device. Many cosmetic companies are also working towards creating more value with similar technology solutions.
To Summarize
It is evident that harms to the environment come full-cycle with its side effects. Adverse effects of UV light overexposure is another effect of harmed environmental health. However, users can regulate this exposure with the help of IoT & smart city implementations. Installing common UV light sensors in the city can also allow authorities to monitor UV exposure. Then, authorities can update masses with exposure levels. To conclude, UV light has its pros and cons, but if the UV light exposure is within the regulations, one should feel free to experience the sunlight.
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