evaluation of ultraviolet radiation emitted from compact fluorescent lamps

background : one way to optimize energy consumption is replacing incandescent lamp with compact fluorescent lamps .these lamps produce ultraviolet radiation due to the nature of light production. this study aimed to evaluate the ultraviolet radiation emitted from compact fluorescent lamps which are widely used in iran. methods : this study carries out on 16 compact fluorescent lamps (four different brands) at different power. ultraviolet radiation measured in three ranges uva, uvb and uvc at distance of 10 cm from bulbs. the data were analyzed by anova test. findings : intensity of near ultraviolet radiation (uva) were in the range 0.23 w/m 2 to 1/06 w/m 2 in lamp different powers and also these values significant statistically (p <0.05) uv-b radiation intensity (mean=0.01 w/m 2 ) was not significant in lamp different powers (p>0.05). far ultraviolet intensity or uvc was less than detection limit at all points measured. conclusion : anova test showed that uva intensity emitted in different watts were statistically significant difference (p< 0.05). but in this case uvb radiation in the different watts lamps was not significantly different (p>0.0.5). uvc radiation in the different watts lamps were less than the detection limit of the measuring device. uva intensity in 10 cm distance from bulb was less than occupational exposure limit (8 hours) (except bulbs 40 watts). intensity of uv b ​​(except lamp 11 watts) exceeds occupational exposure limit (8 hours). the intensity of the uv c was lower than detection limit. key word s: compact fluorescent lamp, ultraviolet radiation, uva, uvb, uvc