UV is relatively non-penetrating through body tissue, so the effects of UV exposure are limited to the skin and to the cornea and lens of the eye. There is normally a delay of 4-8 hours between exposure and manifestation of the effect. Cataracts may ultimately produce blindness. The study involved 838 watermen in Chesapeake Bay, Maryland, U.S., and showed that workers who developed cataracts had a higher annual exposure to UVB rays than those who did not. Dr Ted Emmett, Chairman of Worksafe Australia and co-author of the study, said the risk of eye damage was even more critical now because of the significantly higher levels of UVB which are predicted to result from the reduction in the ozone layer.
Cataracts occur more commonly in tropical or sunny areas.
More than 17 million people worldwide are blinded by cataracts. Exposure in Vehicles and Indoors. Occupational groups, such as welders, that generate UV as part of their work activities have long recognised the problems associated with excessive exposures to UV and use appropriate personal protective equipment to control to their skin and eyes. Information on the sources of supply of such personal protective equipment is available from the OHS Unit.