We've all seen black lights used as Halloween decor, but did you know there are dozens of other uses for the ultraviolet light these special lights give off?
Before I started working in the lighting industry, I only associated black lights with Halloween parties, haunted houses, or the fictional TV crime scenes from Law and Order: SVU. Now with a bit of lighting experience under my belt, I know that black lights are much more than just novelty items. Read on for more interesting, practical and original uses for these special light bulbs!
Black lights are lamps that emit long-wave ultraviolet light, and thus, not much visible light. They produce a deep blue color, and come in several varieties including fluorescent, mercury vapor and LED. Since black lights aren’t used for illumination, what are some of their uses?
One of the most common modern-day uses for black lights is for detecting counterfeit currency and fraudulent credit cards. Paper bills have security features in the form of icons and designs that can only be detected via black light, and these security features are very hard to counterfeit. Someone who handles currency can quickly and easily determine if bills are real or fake simply by shining a black light on the bill!
If you’ve ever gone to an amusement park, night club, or other establishment that requires a ticket to enter, you’ve likely gotten your hand stamped with invisible, black light activated ink to prevent unauthorized entry. These stamps shine brightly under the glow of a black light, and can help a security team quickly identify those who have not paid for entry to the venue. This science is also used to mark important documents for verification later on.
In the medical field, black lights are also used to identify certain medical conditions like vitiligo and psoriasis. Vitiligo is the depigmentation of the skin, and though it is visible to the human eye without a black light, the use of a black light confirms the presence of the condition.
Psoriasis, another autoimmune disease of the skin, can be treated with the UV rays found in black lights as it helps the body naturally create Vitamin D which can help heal psoriasis lesions. Ultraviolet therapy is also used to correct jaundice in newborn babies.
Black lights are often used by hotel or animal kennel staff to ensure that rooms and facilities have been properly cleaned. The bodily waste of humans and animals contains organisms that glow under black lights, so it can be easily discerned if areas need more cleaning attention. This same science is applied to crime scene investigations to identify blood or other fluids pertinent to an investigation.
As you can see, black lights are used for much more than just creating the perfect haunted house. The ultraviolet rays emitted by black lights are one of the most useful types of lights, and their use spans many industries.
