Glassblowers' ocular health and safety: optical radiation hazards and eye protection assessment

The aims of this study were to investigate the levels of optical radiation exposure in glassblowing and to determine type(s) of protective eyewear commonly used. Radiometric measurements of radiant emissions from different molten glass materials and heating systems were carried out in six installations. Spectral transmittance curves of available protective lenses used at the locations were obtained. Significant variation (P = 0.0001) in ocular irradiation was obtained. All operations produced irradiances higher than the threshold limit values (TLVs) for the visible spectrum (400 to 700 nm). In craft glassblowing which employs furnace systems, irradiance levels exceeding the TLVs for near infrared (760 1o 1100 nm) were obtained. Molten soda-lime and quartz glasses emitted substantial subthreshold near UV radiation. This study shows that variation exists in glassblowing ocular radiation exposure due to different glass materials and heating systems, therefore selection of appropriate eye protector should be on an individual basis.