![]() There are also UV lights that emit UVC energy, which has an even shorter wavelength again. Of course, this also makes UV light much more dangerous than black light since continued exposure is harmful to your skin and can lead to burning and even skin cancer in the long term. UV light emits the UVB type of light, which tans the skin, so if you were to visit a tanning salon, you’d be using UV lights, not black light. UV light is the type of light used for purifying water and other germicidal purposes, including sterilizing surfaces used for food prep. On the other hand black light is ranging between 320 and 400 nanometers. However, the light that it emits is ultraviolet.īut generally, when we talk about “UV light,” we’re talking about a specific type of light with a shorter wavelength – typically 280 to 320 nanometers. So we’ve established that black light is on the ultraviolet part of the light spectrum, so does that mean it’s the same as UV light?īlack light is a type of UV light, and that’s true. The combined black lights shouldn’t be powerful enough to cause harm. Generally, avoid being somewhere where there are a lot of black light bulbs for a prolonged period.Ī visit to a typical nightclub using black lights won’t be an issue, though, as you’d only spend a couple of hours there. If you’re somewhere with a black light or using one, try not to look directly into it. While you’re not going to be exposed to harmful radiation, you could strain your eyes without realizing it. However, it’s not recommended to stare at a black light anytime. You’ll be exposed to more UVA standing outdoors in the sunshine than with a black light. UVA in high concentrations has been linked to skin aging, but not in the typical concentration given out by any manufactured black light bulb. The ultraviolet light of black light is on the higher wavelength side of ultraviolet light and is classified as UVA. Thankfully, there are no major concerns about black light – it is generally considered safe to use. Is Black Light A Health Hazard?Īs soon as you start talking about words like “radiation” or mentioning “ultraviolet” or “UV” light, there are obviously going to be concerns about whether black light is a health hazard. So most of the light being emitted will be invisible black light. That’s just the energy at the bottom end of the visible spectrum. Now, if you have a black light flashlight or tube light, you can see some light when you switch it on – it’ll have a purple glow. There’s a lot of this energy that you can’t see, including microwaves, x-rays, and so on – but black light refers specifically to the light just below visible light on the spectrum, from around 320 to 400 nanometers. It’s called black light simply because it is light you can’t see. ![]() Visible light sits on that spectrum, with a wavelength between 400 and 780 nanometers.ĭirectly above that is infrared light, and directly below it is ultraviolet light – and part of that ultraviolet range is a black light. This ranges from low-frequency energy – gamma rays and x-rays – to high-frequency radio waves. There is a much broader spectrum of what is ultimately electromagnetic radiation – electromagnetic waves of energy. To understand black light, you need to realize that ‘light’ energy does not just consist of the light we can perceive.
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