Radiation Exposure in Glassblowers

The occupational radiation exposure levels and the ocular health status of a sample of glassblowers in Southern Ontario were evaluated.  The form of ocular protection was also assessed.  Measurements of radiant emissions from different molten glass materials were carried out.  A total of six glassblowing installations, 15 glassblowers and 42 non-glassblowers participated in the study.  The spectral transmittances of samples of the protective lenses were obtained.

Tonometry, biomicroscopy, ophthalmoscopy, pachometry, Schirmer tear test, endothelial photography were completed on all the volunteering subjects.  The glassblowers; ocular findings were compared to those of the non-glassblowers.  No indication of cataract was observed among this group of glassblowers.  Although, a preponderance of grade 2 polymegethism  [enlarged endothelial cells] among the glassblowers (47% compared to 11% in non-glassblowers) was found, there was no significant difference in their ocular health.  Variation in the corneal irradiance from occupational exposure was obtained, and in addition, the use of protective lenses was found to be inappropriate.  In order to prevent against any long-term chronic pathological effect, the uses of appropriate ocular protection is advised. 

(Glassblowers should use infrared or welding goggles with lens shade number 1.7 - 3.  Didymium lenses are insufficient.  -Ed.)

The preceding abstract was reprinted with permission from Section 35 (Occupational Health and Industrial Medicine) of Excerpta Medica.

Occupational Exposure to Optical Radiation and the Ocular Health Status of Glassblowers 

Oriowo O.M., Chou B.R., Cullen A.P., and Robinson B.E. - School of Optometry, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, Ont. N2L 3G1 Canada -  Opthamalic Physiol. Opt. 1997 17/6 (483-491).


Art Hazard News, Volume 21, No. 1, 1998

This article was originally printed for Art Hazard News, © copyright Center for Safety in the Arts 1998. It appears on CAR courtesy of the Health in the Arts Program, University of Illinois at Chicago, who have curated a collection of these articles from their archive which are still relevant to artists today.