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The Curious Bag
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UV Light, otherwise known as ultraviolet light, is essentially electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength shorter than the light that is visible to the human eye. While people cannot generally see UV light, we can often feel its effects.
Terminology
The term "ultra" is Latin and means "beyond." When used alongside "violet," it is referring to the fact that UV light has a much shorter wavelength than does violet light, which is on the shortest end of the visible light spectrum. Essentially, its rough translation would be "beyond violet light."
Sources
Two of the most common sources of UV light include the sun and a black light, which is a type of fluorescent lighting that emits ultraviolet light.
Dangers
Since UV light comes directly from the sun, the most common danger of exposure to UV waves is sunburn. Other than this, UV light exposure can lead to certain types of skin cancer, such as malignant melanoma.
Benefits
UV light treatment is used to treat the skin condition psoriasis. It does this by inhibiting the growth of skin cells, thereby lessening the scaly growth of the affected skin. Also, UV light exposure prompts the human body to manufacture vitamin D.
Expert Insight
It is the belief of the Eye and Ear Infirmary at the University of Illinois that excessive UV light exposure is one of the main causes of human cataract formation.
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