In the U.S., the use of ultraviolet lights (UV) has been a source of friction between the
research community, who desire them in their biosafety cabinets (BSCs), and the biosafety
community, who have largely been agnostic or openly hostue to their use. This paper
examines some of the claims on both sides of the issue, provides data regarding the actual
irradiance inside and near BSCs at a large pharmaceutical research and development site,
and makes recommendations that both protects users from the adverse effects of UV as well
as supports its continued use as a useful adjunct to good laboratory hygiene.
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