And it turns out that there are UV-C generators that are used to
sterilize water, processed foods and surfaces.  See

http://www.lenntech.com/will1.htm

That would make me careful around any sterilizing gizmo that uses
UV light.  Okay, it would make me run for cover.

Not much.  They're supposed to be highly efficient at reducing
UV levels.  If I did the math right, they reduce sunlight's UV levels
to the equivalent of what you'd get from those forty-watt
fluorescent tubes.  A friend in Australia told me he had a problem
with them.  Plastic degrades under sunlight, and after a year or
so the plastic had lost a lot of its efficiency.  It may last longer
under less-intense sunlight, but I'd want to check its reliability
every so often.  I haven't seen a window-film site that mentions
this degradation.

--Bill Thompson

William R Thompson wrote:

1) What do you know about these plastic shiedls, Bill?

2) Could you please post all this PDF (under new topic "Skin (Cutaneous) Lupus)" ?
Include the source , please.
J

http://www.milupus.org/pdf/Cutaneous%20handout.pdf
What are the environmental triggers? Photosensitivity (sensitivity to light and other forms of radiation) is a
major factor in the induction of most skin lupus. It is extremely important to recognize this and realize that
this means an adjustment in lifestyle, not just the use of sunscreen. Photosensitivity may occur 365 days a
year,
on cloudy as well as sunny days.
Ultraviolet radiation that affects lupus is divided into UVA and UVB. The UVB rays are those that we normally
associate with sunburn and tans. The UVA rays penetrate more deeply into the skin and do not cause redness
or burn. Therefore, they are more insidious and less likely to be noted by you as the trigger for your lupus.

Furthermore, UVA rays are present winter and summer, from dusk until dawn. It is imperative to reduce your
exposure to these rays by limiting unnecessary outdoor activity, wearing double layers of clothing, wide
brimmed hats, or special sun protective clothing, wearing a broad-spectrum UVA-UVB protective sunscreen
every day all year round, preferably SPF 30, and reapply frequently. UVA rays penetrate through window glass,
are generated by halogen and fluorescent bulbs, and are emitted from CRT computer screens. Make sure your
windows have plastic shields in them (most thermal windows do), use fluorescent and halogen fixtures that are
plastic encased, and use a polarizing screen over your computer's CRT. If you are on any medications such as
diuretics (water pills), antibiotics, anti-inflammatory pills, hormones (including birth control pills) that
may
increase photosensitivity, alert your doctor and be especially careful.

Smoking has recently been shown to be a factor in skin lupus and smoke cessation should be undertaken with the
help of your doctor to ensure
that it is successful. Secondary smoke should also be avoided. Eating a healthy, balanced diet is also very
important. Alternative medicines and
supplements should be discussed with your doctor. Beware of the many unsupported claims on the internet. They
can be dangerous if interpreted
without the advice of your doctor.

ANDREW G. FRANKS, JR., M.D., F.A.C.P.
Clinical Professor of Dermatology
Attending in Rheumatology
Chief, Connective Tissue Disease Clinic
New York University School of Medicine

UV-A, UV-B and UV-C (also know as EUV, for Extreme Ultra-Violet).

When you look at a rainbow, you're looking at the visible part of the
electromagnetic spectrum.  If I could do anything fancy with text,
I'd lay out the colors, but the spectrum looks like this:

(radio
waves)(microwaves)(infrared)(red)(orange)(yellow)(green)(blue)(indigo)(violet)(UVA)(UVB)(UVC)(X-rays)(gamma
rays)

<--- (least amount of energy at this end)--*--(more energy at this end)--->

If your eyes could see infrared and UV, a rainbow would look
wider than normal.

UV-A is the least energetic, longest wavelength of UV light.  It's the next
"color" of the spectrum, just beyond violet.  It passes through glass.

UV-B is a more energetic part of the UV spectrum.  Glass blocks it,
but it will pass through quartz (as in "quartz-halogen lamps".)

UV-C is the most energetic form of UV light; the next step beyond
them is soft X-rays.  UV-C is part of sunlight, but it's blocked by
the atmosphere.  It's only a problem if you're in outer space and
aren't inside a space ship or wearing a space suit--in which case you
have bigger problems than light.

--Bill Thompson

Oh, are those windows going to make a big difference! Wish we could put them
in this old house. (Historic commission will not allow them.)

I don't think I'd sit in the sunlight streaming through but to be able to
allow the light in would be wonderful.

If my memory serves me correctly and it probably doesn't there are two
harmful lights, UV and UB? This is only going to eliminate one of them but
does the other automatically become reduced as it passes through glass?

Maybe J will jump in here and straighten us out. She so good at this stuff.
Bev

...not to be confused with the computer software...

Hello Everyone,

I have a new landlord (this is a *good* thing), and he is replacing the
windows in the duplex unit in which I live.  He is *so* kind as to ask me
what kind of windows I want!  Isn't that great?  It's an older house with
double-hung multipaned glass windows that are pretty but very energy
inefficient.

So.  He has given me a brochure from BetterBilt windows (this is not an
advertisement).  They make window that will help our place look like it did
before, but with double-paned glass, and I do believe it is a single pane
which has bars within that make it look like multipaned glass.

Under "Window Options" it say "Low Emissivity Glass."    It goes on to say
"...plus most of the sun's damaging ultraviolet light is filtered out,
protecting draperies, furniture, carpet [and lupus patients? {my addition}]
from fading.

So.  Have any of you guys had experience with this "Low Emissivity Glass?"
Would I be able to peek out and see the sun shine?  Little kids in the
neighborhood think I am a witch, because I keep all the windows closed, and
wear mostly black (I'm kidding here). But would I be able to open my
curtains?  that might be a landmark day....

Are they good windows?  Do they really help?  To what degree? What do y'all
think?

Thanks in advance,

Mary