A Bright Idea: Getting a UV Flashlight

An ultraviolet flashlight puts the power to control a unique portion of the light spectrum right in your hand. UV light itself is invisible to the naked human eye, but is nonetheless quite helpful in illuminating many substances thanks to the unique luminescent properties it creates when reflected by everything from gemstones to the bodies of certain insects.

These lights are not expensive tools; the most affordably priced option costs around ten dollars, with options at the top of the price range still usually valued well under fifty dollars. Most UV flashlights are also of relatively small size. Both the small cost and size of these devices is principally thanks to recent advances in LED technology, which allows for the efficient production of potent ultraviolet light.

When choosing a UV light, consider where you will store the device. Some options can easily tuck into a glove box or even a pocket, while others are large enough to require a bit more room, though still stowing easily in a bag. Next, consider how and where you will use the light. Some units have single bulbs or several small LEDs and are fine for use when they can be held close to the surface in question, while others use larger batteries of bulbs to cast a beam across much more distance. Also, consider the power source of your prospective UV light; some such flashlights partner a USB cable and rechargeable battery, while others burn through traditional batteries quickly.

What a UV flashlight will not do, it must be noted, is provide any significant illumination such as one would expect from a standard flashlight. Ultraviolet light cannot be effectively used to find your way down a dark path or about a dark room, nor can this type of light be effective in signaling to someone across a distance.

Also, keep in mind that despite the fact that UV light cannot be seen, it is far from innocuous. Indeed ultraviolet light can be quite dangerous, with excessive exposure to the UV rays from the sun causing both acute and chronic issues (see below for more information) and with UV light able to damage the human eye even with limited direct exposure. You must never look directly into the beam of a UV flashlight, and you should, in fact, consider wearing UV protective glasses that are tinted to reduce the potency of the light and protect your eyes from damage.

Uses For a UV Flashlight

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When many people hear of a UV flashlight, their first thoughts may well be of its less-than-pleasant applications. Indeed these tools can be used to attempt to identify substances such as human bodily fluids left behind on bedspreads in hotel rooms or on the carpets of a home in consideration for rental or purchase.

But ultraviolet lights also serve a critical role in various professions. The forensic investigator, for example, can use one of these lights to help search a crime scene for traces of blood or other liquids that can prove invaluable for identifying a perpetrator. A UV light can instantly reveal evidence that might otherwise have been difficult if not impossible to uncover.

So too can an inspection professional use UV light to search for leaks in various air conditioning, plumbing, or gas lines or to identify potentially unsafe substances in a home or commercial location. These lights aid in the conduction of inspections prior to a home sale, in the safety review of a worksite or production facility, and more.

Members of the general public will also find many handy applications for their ultraviolet light, with the most common use being to identify substances like pet urine in a carpet, antifreeze dripped onto the driveway or garage floor, and even for checking certain recent dollar bills to ensure they are not counterfeit.

And finally, UV lights can simply be amusing to use. Ultraviolet light can help glow-in-the dark materials such as paints or pictures shine with ethereal luminescence, serving as ideal decorative tools for a party or as part of the special effects setup of a play or musical performance. Whether you are designing a haunted house for a Halloween event or you are in charge of the decorative scheme for a rave-style dance party, a UV flashlight is an affordable and effective way to enhance the aesthetics of the space.

What Is UV Light, Anyway?

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Ultraviolet light is a normal part of the electromagnetic spectrum of natural light, or light that is produced by the sun. (It can also be produced by manmade devices, of course.) Sunlight is generally divided into seven distinct categories, each determined by the size of its wavelengths. These include, in order of decreasing wavelength size, radio waves, microwaves, infrared light, visible light, UV light, X-rays, and gamma rays.

Any portion of the radiation in the electromagnetic spectrum with a wavelength between ten and 400 nanometers is referred to as UV light. While invisible to the human eye, many animals can see ultraviolet light; these include certain insects, birds, and reptiles. While humans cannot directly perceive UV light, our eyes can see its interaction with certain materials in proper conditions where visible light is low. When concentrated UV light is absorbed and/or emitted by certain surfaces or substances, we call the effect fluorescence. This phenomenon can be perceived as ultraviolet light shines on certain types of gemstones, a number of unique animal species, or on man-made artifacts such as posters, t-shirts, and decorative items.

With moderate exposure, UV light is relatively benign for human beings, causing a moderate darkening of the skin referred to as a tan. A glut of exposure can lead to acute painful damage in the form of a sunburn in the short term and can greatly contribute to larger chronic issues such as skin cancers. UV light is also the chief culprit behind faded flooring and upholstery, cracked and damaged dashboards in vehicles, and other types of degradation of many varieties.