Students, faculty complain of health problems due to UV lights on campus
On Jan. 29, an anonymous professor sent a Canvas announcement to their class requesting information on whether or not students were experiencing eye irritations, possibly as a result of the new UVC lights installed in certain classrooms as a COVID-19 precaution.
The announcement read, “I am reaching out to see if any of you have experienced eye problems (painful eyes, watering, itching) since your last class. Some of the faculty (myself included) teaching in Welles 115 have experienced eye problems since teaching on Wed. and Thursday. There are UVC lights in the classroom that may be causing problems. This information will help us figure out what might be going on. While I cannot offer any medical advice, if you have experienced any eye pain or discomfort, I would suggest that you reach out to a medical provider for advice today.”
The professor and other faculty experiencing similar eye problems contacted college administration about the possibility of the UV lights in classrooms causing health problems. Robert Ames, Assistant Vice President of Facilities and Planning, sent a campus-wide email on Jan. 1 addressing the problem.
In the email, Ames explained that “We have had reports of individuals experiencing eye irritation with concerns that it was related to classroom UV lighting. In the interest of health and safety, we are sharing what we know. In late 2020, as one of many COVID-19 protocols, the College installed UV lights in some classrooms and other buildings throughout the campus. Additional lights were installed in recent weeks. The lights are commercial, CDC-approved, UL-listed units that undergo annual inspections. There are many types of UV lights; these models are approved for use when spaces are occupied.”
According to the email, the college contacted the vendor and tested the lights for energy that could be harmful to students and faculty. The vendors found that the UV lights were not harmful to students.
“The reports of eye irritation were thought to be from a classroom in Welles. When the College learned of the reports, academic affairs temporarily removed the classroom from use. Facilities services temporarily turned off all UV light units across campus and contacted the vendor to perform a safety check in the specific room where the reports originated. The vendor completed monitored meter readings this morning in the classroom, which revealed no harmful energy was emitted from the unit. In addition to testing the light, facilities services performed an indoor air quality assessment; readings were within normal range. Facilities also deep cleaned the classroom. Facilities will continue to check all rooms that have these specific lights in them out of an abundance of caution.”
In the email, the college denied that any cases of conjunctivitis on campus were caused by extended exposure to UV light.
“Health Services has seen two students reporting eye irritation consistent with conjunctivitis (commonly known as pink eye). Medical Director Dr. Steve Radi says that it’s important to wash your hands and not touch your eyes. Winter is a peak time for viral eye infections, which are common, short-lived, but highly transmissible. We have no reported cases that have been confirmed as being caused by UV light damage.”
If students or faculty have experienced health problems after being exposed to UV lights on campus, Ames encouraged them to seek medical advice from campus health services or fill out paperwork detailing their injury with University Police.
“If members of the campus community experience symptoms related to eye irritation, they should seek medical attention. Employees may file an Accident and Injury Report, if they have reason to believe a medical situation was caused in the workplace. Students may complete the Accident and Personal Injury report at University Police Department in Schrader 19.”