Non Ionizing Radiation Safety Non Ionizing Radiation Safety and Chemical Safetyand Chemical SafetySK Dua, Ph. D., CHP, CLSO SK Dua, Ph. D., CHP, CLSO Bill Youngblut, MS, CIH, CSPBill Youngblut, MS, CIH, CSP

Environmental Health & SafetyEnvironmental Health & SafetyFlorida International UniversityFlorida International University

ConceptualizationConceptualization

Get EH&S, and engineering professionals involved Get EH&S, and engineering professionals involved as as early as possibleearly as possible..

Before submitting grant proposal or budget. Before submitting grant proposal or budget. Help identify and correct potential problems.Help identify and correct potential problems. Time line issues for local, state, and federal Time line issues for local, state, and federal

safety & environmental permits.safety & environmental permits.– Avoid budget over runsAvoid budget over runs– Avoid construction delaysAvoid construction delays– Avoid process startup delaysAvoid process startup delays– Avoid finesAvoid fines

Conceptualization…Conceptualization…

EH&S professionals involved should EH&S professionals involved should include:include:

Safety Engineer Safety Engineer Fire SafetyFire Safety Environmental (Air, Water & Waste)Environmental (Air, Water & Waste) Radiation & Laser Safety OfficerRadiation & Laser Safety Officer Industrial HygienistIndustrial Hygienist

Disposal & RecycleDisposal & Recycle

Environmental impact of battery and printed circuit Environmental impact of battery and printed circuit board manufacturer and disposal.board manufacturer and disposal.

Heavy Metals (Lead, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Heavy Metals (Lead, Silver, Gold, Platinum, Mercury, Copper)Mercury, Copper)

Solders, Flux Solder & Flux residuesSolders, Flux Solder & Flux residues– Rinse water residueRinse water residue– Airborne concentration levels in manufacturing Airborne concentration levels in manufacturing – Contain metals, resinContain metals, resin– Consult manufacturer or MSDS for more informationConsult manufacturer or MSDS for more information

Batteries: Acids, leadBatteries: Acids, lead Circuit board substrate: BerylliumCircuit board substrate: Beryllium

Safety CommitteeEstablish operating policies, practices and procedures for compliance with the regulations. Review proposals, reports, procedures, conduct program audit. Communicate with RSO/LSO

Radiation/Laser Safety OfficerReports to Dir., EH&S, Manages day-to-day program activities, Submits proposals, reports, procedures, reviews to Committee for approval/comments/vote

Authorized users and workersComply with posting and labeling requirementsFollow safe practices and procedures

Senior Management: Vice President of Research Alternate: Director, EH&SChairperson Radiation/Laser Safety Committee

ORGANIZATION CHART: MANAGEMENT:IONIZING AND NON-IONIZING RADIATION

PROGRAM

Ionizing vs. Non-ionizing RadiationIonizing vs. Non-ionizing Radiation

Ionizing RadiationIonizing Radiation– Higher energy electromagnetic waves (X- gamma) Higher energy electromagnetic waves (X- gamma)

or particles (alpha beta)or particles (alpha beta)

– High enough energy to pull electron from orbitHigh enough energy to pull electron from orbit

Non-ionizing RadiationNon-ionizing Radiation– Lower energy EM waves (laser, radio & TV Lower energy EM waves (laser, radio & TV

broadcasting, cell phone, pagers, satellite, broadcasting, cell phone, pagers, satellite, Microwave ovens, Power lines, Physical therapy- RF Microwave ovens, Power lines, Physical therapy- RF DiathermyDiathermy

– Not enough energy to pull electron from orbit, but Not enough energy to pull electron from orbit, but can excite the electroncan excite the electron

Laser ComponentsLaser Components

Laser DevicesLaser Devices

The laser is a device, which produces a The laser is a device, which produces a very intense and very narrow (collimated) very intense and very narrow (collimated) beam of electromagnetic radiation in the beam of electromagnetic radiation in the wavelength range 180 nm to 1 mm. wavelength range 180 nm to 1 mm.

Laser devices are ranked by class (1, 2, Laser devices are ranked by class (1, 2, 3a, 3b and 4) according to their energy or 3a, 3b and 4) according to their energy or power, and hence, their potential to cause power, and hence, their potential to cause injury. injury.

Laser radiation exposure can cause injury Laser radiation exposure can cause injury to: to: – Eye and skinEye and skin

Laser Warning Signs and Symbols

American National Standards Institute

International Electro Chemical Society

Posting Warning SignsPosting Warning Signs

The entrance door shall have laser label The entrance door shall have laser label with warning sign and laser class.with warning sign and laser class.

The entrance door shall have hazard The entrance door shall have hazard identification chart.identification chart.

The entrance door to the laser lab shall The entrance door to the laser lab shall have lighted sign, “Laser in Use” whenever have lighted sign, “Laser in Use” whenever laser is turned on. Work Management can laser is turned on. Work Management can arrange to install the signage. Expenses arrange to install the signage. Expenses will be borne by the Department/PI. will be borne by the Department/PI. Whenever laser is in use visual or audible Whenever laser is in use visual or audible warning devices should be turned on.warning devices should be turned on.

Laser Safety- ControlsLaser Safety- Controls

Engineering ControlsEngineering Controls Administrative and ProceduralAdministrative and Procedural Protective EquipmentProtective Equipment

Engineering ControlsEngineering Controls Protective Housings (All Classes). Protective Housings (All Classes).  Interlocks on Removable Protective Interlocks on Removable Protective

Housings (All Classes)Housings (All Classes) Key Control (Class 3b or Class 4)Key Control (Class 3b or Class 4) Viewing Windows, Display Screens, and Viewing Windows, Display Screens, and

Collecting OpticsCollecting Optics Remote Interlock Connector (Class 3b Remote Interlock Connector (Class 3b

or Class 4)or Class 4) Beam Stop or Attenuator (Class 3b or Beam Stop or Attenuator (Class 3b or

Class 4)Class 4) Warning SignsWarning Signs

Administrative and Procedural Administrative and Procedural ControlsControls

Post laser warning signs.Post laser warning signs. Standard Operating Procedures (Class 3b Standard Operating Procedures (Class 3b

or Class 4). SOPs for class 4 shall be or Class 4). SOPs for class 4 shall be developed, documented, reviewed and developed, documented, reviewed and approved by Laser Safety Officerapproved by Laser Safety Officer

Output Emission Limitations Output Emission Limitations Education and Training (Class 3b, or Class Education and Training (Class 3b, or Class

4).4). The laser shall have emergency shut off. It The laser shall have emergency shut off. It

is preferred to have shut off both near the is preferred to have shut off both near the laser device and at a remote consolelaser device and at a remote console

Administrative and Procedural Administrative and Procedural Controls…Controls… Laser Beams Laser Beams

Laser beams, direct/diffused shall be properly Laser beams, direct/diffused shall be properly shielded to prevent inadvertent exposure of shielded to prevent inadvertent exposure of eyes or skin.eyes or skin.

All beam alignments shall be performed at low All beam alignments shall be performed at low power (class 1).power (class 1).

When the lab door is opened the laser should When the lab door is opened the laser should either be shut off or reduced in power or either be shut off or reduced in power or should be adequately shielded to prevent should be adequately shielded to prevent injury.injury.

Laser beams should not be at eye level- while Laser beams should not be at eye level- while standing or seated.standing or seated.

Procedures Procedures

– On-line Laser Safety TrainingOn-line Laser Safety Training– Laser Purchasing ProcedureLaser Purchasing Procedure– Laser Registration with the StateLaser Registration with the State– Laser Laboratory InspectionLaser Laboratory Inspection– Laser Research Proposal ReviewLaser Research Proposal Review– Eye Examination Eye Examination – Beam AlignmentBeam Alignment– Laser OperationLaser Operation

Protective EquipmentProtective Equipment

Suitable personal protective Suitable personal protective equipment, e.g., eye protection equipment, e.g., eye protection glasses suitable for the laser glasses suitable for the laser power/energy and wavelength, will power/energy and wavelength, will be used.be used.

Beam shutters/shields shall be Beam shutters/shields shall be available where required.available where required.

BioeffectsBioeffects

Photochemical vs. Thermal LimitsPhotochemical vs. Thermal Limits

Shorter wavelengths in the visible (400 Shorter wavelengths in the visible (400 to 600 nm) can produce chemical to 600 nm) can produce chemical changes in retinal tissue destroying its changes in retinal tissue destroying its functionality. These changes can occur functionality. These changes can occur for longer exposures and at lower levels for longer exposures and at lower levels than thermal burns. Photochemical than thermal burns. Photochemical sensitivity decreases with increasing sensitivity decreases with increasing wavelength. Both limits must be wavelength. Both limits must be evaluated in classifying a product in the evaluated in classifying a product in the photochemical wavelength range.photochemical wavelength range.

Laboratory AccidentsLaboratory Accidents

60% of laser accidents in the research 60% of laser accidents in the research setting happen during laser alignment, setting happen during laser alignment, beam manipulationbeam manipulation

Almost all without the user wearing laser Almost all without the user wearing laser protective eyewearprotective eyewear

Why?Why? Open beamsOpen beams- During alignment- During alignment- Flexibility in calibration procedures- Flexibility in calibration procedures- Experimental set up changes- Experimental set up changes

Some famous quotes from the laser users Some famous quotes from the laser users who do not comply with the safety measureswho do not comply with the safety measures ““Don’t insult my intelligence.”Don’t insult my intelligence.” “ “I’ll get it the work done one way or the other.”I’ll get it the work done one way or the other.” “ “That can’t happen to me.”That can’t happen to me.” ““15 years working with lasers and I haven’t had an accident 15 years working with lasers and I haven’t had an accident

yet.”yet.” “ “Nothing bad will happen.”Nothing bad will happen.” ““Hey I have two eyes” Hey I have two eyes” ““Trust me”Trust me” ““I know where the beam is”I know where the beam is”

All incidents should be investigated to enhance the All incidents should be investigated to enhance the environment, safety, health and quality, prevent environment, safety, health and quality, prevent recurrence, and reduce the possibility of severe trends recurrence, and reduce the possibility of severe trends

Laser Safety- Non-beam HazardsLaser Safety- Non-beam Hazards

Electrical Laser Generated Air Contaminants Electrical Laser Generated Air Contaminants (LGAC)(LGAC)

Collateral and Plasma RadiationCollateral and Plasma Radiation Optical RadiationOptical Radiation FireFire ExplosionExplosion Compressed GasesCompressed Gases Laser DyesLaser Dyes

All non-beam hazards shall be identified and All non-beam hazards shall be identified and prevented.prevented.

Electrical HazardElectrical Hazard

Many laser systems use high voltage and high Many laser systems use high voltage and high current electrical power. Reports of electrical current electrical power. Reports of electrical shock, both fatal and non-fatal can be found for shock, both fatal and non-fatal can be found for research, medical, and industrial settings.research, medical, and industrial settings.

Preventative measuresPreventative measures No Fluids used or placed near the laser systemNo Fluids used or placed near the laser system Label the laser system with the electrical rating, Label the laser system with the electrical rating,

frequency and wattsfrequency and watts Proper grounding for metal parts of the laser Proper grounding for metal parts of the laser

systemsystem Assume all floors are conductive when working Assume all floors are conductive when working

with high voltagewith high voltage

Electrical Hazard-Electrical Hazard-Preventative measures…Preventative measures…

Provide such safety devices- rubber gloves and Provide such safety devices- rubber gloves and insulating matsinsulating mats

Combustible components of the electrical circuit are Combustible components of the electrical circuit are short circuit testedshort circuit tested

Avoid Contact with electrical components. Capacitors Avoid Contact with electrical components. Capacitors that can contain electrical charge even after the laser is that can contain electrical charge even after the laser is powered off. Discharge, short and ground each capacitor powered off. Discharge, short and ground each capacitor before accessing the capacitor areabefore accessing the capacitor area

Inspect capacitor containers for deformities or leaksInspect capacitor containers for deformities or leaks

Avoid wearing rings, metallic watchbands and other Avoid wearing rings, metallic watchbands and other metallic objects when working near high voltage metallic objects when working near high voltage environmentenvironment

Prevent explosions in filament lamps and high pressure Prevent explosions in filament lamps and high pressure arc lampsarc lamps

Electrical Hazard-Electrical Hazard-Preventative measures…Preventative measures…

Include in regular inspection verification of the Include in regular inspection verification of the integrity of electrical cords, plugs, and foot pedalsintegrity of electrical cords, plugs, and foot pedals

Only qualified persons authorized to perform service Only qualified persons authorized to perform service activities access laser’s internal componentsactivities access laser’s internal components

Do not work aloneDo not work alone

When possible, only use one hand when working on a When possible, only use one hand when working on a circuit circuit

Develop and implement lockout/tagout proceduresDevelop and implement lockout/tagout procedures

Laser Generated Airborne Laser Generated Airborne Contaminants (LGAC)Contaminants (LGAC)

High power lasers (beam irradiance of hundreds High power lasers (beam irradiance of hundreds of W/cmof W/cm22) upon interaction with substrates may ) upon interaction with substrates may generate aerosols, gases and vapors, called generate aerosols, gases and vapors, called LGAC. These contaminants may adversely affect LGAC. These contaminants may adversely affect health, environment and materials, and must be health, environment and materials, and must be controlled. controlled.

LGAC are controlled by using proper air filtration LGAC are controlled by using proper air filtration systems. Local exhaust ventilation systems can systems. Local exhaust ventilation systems can effectively capture the air contaminants in close effectively capture the air contaminants in close proximity to an emission source. General proximity to an emission source. General ventilation is used to reduce the concentration of ventilation is used to reduce the concentration of the air contaminants not removed by the LEV. the air contaminants not removed by the LEV.

Collateral and Plasma RadiationCollateral and Plasma Radiation

X-radiation may be generated from X-radiation may be generated from electronic components of the laser electronic components of the laser system, e.g., high voltage vacuum system, e.g., high voltage vacuum tubes (> 15 kV) and laser-metal tubes (> 15 kV) and laser-metal interactions.interactions.

Plasma emission created during Plasma emission created during laser-material interaction may laser-material interaction may contain sufficient UV and blue light. contain sufficient UV and blue light.

Optical Radiation HazardOptical Radiation Hazard There are several sources of optical radiation emissions There are several sources of optical radiation emissions

which can cause eye injury and skin burn:which can cause eye injury and skin burn: Ultraviolet light from discharge tubesUltraviolet light from discharge tubes Visible / infrared light from pumping lampsVisible / infrared light from pumping lamps Blue light and UV emissions from interactions between high Blue light and UV emissions from interactions between high

power laser beam and target materialpower laser beam and target material Intense bright light and thermal emissions from laser Intense bright light and thermal emissions from laser

weldingwelding

Preventative measures:Preventative measures: Shield the optical radiation by proper enclosure.Shield the optical radiation by proper enclosure. Wear suitable personal protective equipment to protect Wear suitable personal protective equipment to protect

eyes and skin.eyes and skin.

Fire HazardFire Hazard

A fire can occur when a laser beam (direct or reflected) A fire can occur when a laser beam (direct or reflected) strikes a combustible material such as paper products, strikes a combustible material such as paper products, plastic, rubber, human tissues, human hair and skin plastic, rubber, human tissues, human hair and skin treated with acetone and alcohol-based preparations. treated with acetone and alcohol-based preparations. The risk of fire is much greater in oxygen-rich The risk of fire is much greater in oxygen-rich atmospheres. atmospheres.

The three components required for a fire to start are:The three components required for a fire to start are:

1)1) a combustible materiala combustible material

2)2) an oxidizing agentan oxidizing agent

3)3) a source of ignitiona source of ignition

Keep these components physically separated Keep these components physically separated from each other.from each other.

Explosion HazardsExplosion Hazards

Sources:Sources: High pressure arc lamps, filament lamps High pressure arc lamps, filament lamps

and capacitor banks in laser equipmentand capacitor banks in laser equipment

- Enclose in housing- Enclose in housing Metal dust collected in ventilation systems Metal dust collected in ventilation systems

- Maintain properly- Maintain properly

Compressed GasesCompressed Gases

Hazardous gases (ClHazardous gases (Cl22, F, HCl HF) are used in laser , F, HCl HF) are used in laser applications. Develop SOP for safe handling.applications. Develop SOP for safe handling.

Safety problems with compressed gases:Safety problems with compressed gases: Free standing cylinders not isolated from Free standing cylinders not isolated from

personnelpersonnel No remote shut off valve No remote shut off valve Incorrect labeling of cylinders & gas linesIncorrect labeling of cylinders & gas lines Gases of different categories not stored Gases of different categories not stored

separatelyseparately No leak testing - Loose gas line fittingsNo leak testing - Loose gas line fittings

Laser Dyes and SolventsLaser Dyes and SolventsThese complex fluorescent organic compounds in solution with These complex fluorescent organic compounds in solution with

solvents form a lasing medium. solvents form a lasing medium.

Concerns: Concerns: Dye PowdersDye Powders

– Carcinogens (benzo(a)pyrene); Carcinogens (benzo(a)pyrene); – Toxic Toxic

Little or no toxicity data Little or no toxicity data Before mixing with solvent, concentrated dye Before mixing with solvent, concentrated dye

powder inhalation or skin contact hazard powder inhalation or skin contact hazard Dye SolventsDye Solvents – chemical and physical hazards:– chemical and physical hazards:

– Transport dissolved substances through the skinTransport dissolved substances through the skin– Flammable (Chlorobenzene, Cyclohexane, Methanol)Flammable (Chlorobenzene, Cyclohexane, Methanol)– Toxic (Benzonitrile, Dioxane, Dimethylformaldehyde)Toxic (Benzonitrile, Dioxane, Dimethylformaldehyde)– Carcinogenic (Chloroform, Dichloroethane, Carcinogenic (Chloroform, Dichloroethane,

Tetrahydrofuran)Tetrahydrofuran)

CautionCaution

Radiofrequency EnergyRadiofrequency Energy

Electromagnetic FieldsElectromagnetic Fields Whenever there is electricity, there are: electric Whenever there is electricity, there are: electric

and magnetic fields, these are invisible lines of and magnetic fields, these are invisible lines of force created by the electric charges.force created by the electric charges.

Electric field (unit V/m) exists near an appliance Electric field (unit V/m) exists near an appliance that is plugged into and electrical outlet (even if it that is plugged into and electrical outlet (even if it is turned off). Increases in strength with voltage.is turned off). Increases in strength with voltage.

Magnetic field (unit A/m, Gauss or Tesla) results Magnetic field (unit A/m, Gauss or Tesla) results from the flow of current through wires or from the flow of current through wires or electrical devices and increases as the strength of electrical devices and increases as the strength of current increases. current increases.

Electromagnetic Fields…Electromagnetic Fields… Electric field can be easily shielded or Electric field can be easily shielded or

weakened by conducting objectsweakened by conducting objects

Magnetic fields are not weakened and Magnetic fields are not weakened and pass through most materials and are most pass through most materials and are most difficult to shield.difficult to shield.

Both fields weaken with distance from the Both fields weaken with distance from the source.source.

Line sources of magnetic Field 1/dLine sources of magnetic Field 1/d22

Point sources of magnetic Field 1/dPoint sources of magnetic Field 1/d33

Maximum Permissible Exposure Limits

Power line magnetic lines are ELF rage of spectrum