I've read that actinic light is really the light that discolors rubber pens. But what sorts of light are included in actinic light? I think in photography actinic light includes just about anything that can accidentally expose film. But for the purpose of pens is this also the case?
I use my pens on a daily basis and have been curious as to what the effects of regular and common lights is. At home when using the pen it's exposed to regular lightbulbs. At work and school it is exposed some to those ceiling office tube lights. I don't have arc welders around and I keep it out of sunlight for sure.
When not using the pens I keep them in covered pouches or wrapped in a soft cotton cloth.
Full Version: What sorts of light are "actinic"?
Actinic light refers to light that contains high-energy, short-wavelength light--in other words ultraviolet--ionizing radiation that can break certain molecules apart (molecules like polymers and proteins). Actinic light causes suntanning and sunburns.
Radiation from an electric welding arc, especially a metal arc like MIG or TIG is classic actinic light but there are many other sources including direct sun and mercury vapor lights (at close range).
Radiation from an electric welding arc, especially a metal arc like MIG or TIG is classic actinic light but there are many other sources including direct sun and mercury vapor lights (at close range).
I also run a few sets of Actinic Lighting over my Reeftank. It brings out the colors of the Fish and Coral.
Bob
Bob
| QUOTE (bobioden @ Mar 4 2007, 08:08 PM) |
| I also run a few sets of Actinic Lighting over my Reeftank. It brings out the colors of the Fish and Coral. Bob |
Yeah, that's another family of actinic lights: "gro-lites" (which is essentially what that aquarium light is) for growing plants indoors include actinic light in their spectrum. Metal-halide lamps used to light large stadiums and gymnasiums is another type of light that would be a problem. (they are also used for growing plants indoors)
Standard flourescent tube lights work by means of a mercury arc which emits UV but the surface coating and the type of glass used is supposed to stop virtually all UV from escaping.
I think the biggest danger to your pens would be storing them where direct sun can get to them. The sun is a double-whammy because of UV and also IR which heats things up, causing damage of it's own and accelerating the UV damage.
Ah- I keep it well out of sun. The harshest light I can think of that is used near them are those big modern office ceiling tubes (the long ones) they use in the classrooms at the law school.
| QUOTE (Ray-Vigo @ Mar 4 2007, 09:18 PM) |
| Ah- I keep it well out of sun. The harshest light I can think of that is used near them are those big modern office ceiling tubes (the long ones) they use in the classrooms at the law school. |
Flourescent office lighting should not be a problem at all. If it were then people who are hypersensitive to UV would have skin problems and would get cases of pink-eye. Some people are in environment where they are under bright fluorescent lighting 24/7 (prisons for example) and I have never heard of such problems.
Conventional glass stops most UV anyway. Lamps that are supposed to emit UV are made of quartz not glass. Office lighting tubes are made of glass.
| QUOTE (captnemo @ Mar 4 2007, 09:28 PM) |
| Standard flourescent tube lights work by means of a mercury arc which emits UV but the surface coating and the type of glass used is supposed to stop virtually all UV from escaping. |
Most fluorescent lamps do emit a little bit of UV radiation, and that can produce oxidation in hard rubber. If you are setting up your own lighting, I suggest the use of GE's plastic-sheathed CovRguard lamps; I use this in my machine shop, as they are shatter-resistant as well as UV-blocking.
--Daniel
| QUOTE (bobioden @ Mar 4 2007, 07:08 PM) |
| I also run a few sets of Actinic Lighting over my Reeftank. It brings out the colors of the Fish and Coral. Bob |
You've got to be freakin' kidding me. I think you're stalking me, from a hobby perspective.
Reefs...Watches...Pens?
Hilarious!
Let's see some pics!
I just recently got out of the reefing gig...too much time, too many living things. I can neglect a pen and when I come back to it, it'll be fine. Neglect a reef for too long, and you have a stinky mess to come home to.
| QUOTE (rroossinck @ Mar 5 2007, 02:06 PM) | ||
You've got to be freakin' kidding me. I think you're stalking me, from a hobby perspective. Reefs...Watches...Pens? Hilarious! Let's see some pics! I just recently got out of the reefing gig...too much time, too many living things. I can neglect a pen and when I come back to it, it'll be fine. Neglect a reef for too long, and you have a stinky mess to come home to. |
My 15g Nano Reeftank has been up and running for 5 years now. Here is an article I did on the tank for Advanced Aquarists online magazine.
[My 15g Nano Reef
Bob
Well the tube lamps I'm exposed to (and the pen is) are at school in the ceilings really. I think I'm stuck with them. I figure they can't emit that much UV if they have people sitting under them all day. They'd get sued when someone came down with cancer or whatever I guess.
I really only use the old GE incandescent bulbs at home. I hate tube lamps.
I really only use the old GE incandescent bulbs at home. I hate tube lamps.
I love that open brain! Awesome!
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