Valutazione del rischio da Luce Blu nell’impiego di lampade fotopolimerizzanti in odontoiatria.

Abstract

Exposure to blue-light can be an occupational health hazard which can result in a retinal photochemical injury to the eye(s) and/or an increased risk of macular degeneration. Dental curing lights produce an intense blue-light to complete the chemical reaction that produces a tooth restoration (filling). The most damaging wavelength for the retina is blue light, near 440 nm, which is within the spectral emission from dental LCUs. Some researches  published show   that curing lights may pose a hazard to the equipment operator and other people nearby.The aim of the study was to assess the risk of ocular damage from 6 types of light curing units (LCUs) in clinical use in Italy and   to characterize appropriate protective eyewear to be used to eliminate this hazard.The study demonstrates that high intensity dental curing lights generate exposures that exceed the limits set by the EU  Directive on Artificial Optical Radiation . The 6 LCUs tested showed potential to cause blue-light ocular damage, with damage potentially occurring after cumulative viewing of only 70 - 200  seconds at the 20-cm distance for LCU. The evidence presented in this paper can be used to develop practical tips to protect workers that operate with LCU, using appropriate blue-light blocking safety glasses.