Final answer:
Exposure to intense visible light and UVB radiation in the arc welding process can damage the eyes, leading to conditions like photo keratitis and cataracts. Protective gear like welding helmets is essential to shield the eyes from this harmful radiation. Cataracts are treatable but prevention through proper eye protection is crucial, especially in regions with limited medical access.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the arc welding process, exposure of the eyes to intense visible light can cause significant health issues. High-intensity UVB light emitted during welding is capable of causing damage to the eyes, including conditions known as welder's flash or photo keratitis, which is an inflammation of the cornea, as well as potential cataracts, a clouding of the lens in the eye leading to a decrease in vision.
Welders use protective gear, such as gloves and helmets, to shield themselves from the high-energy electromagnetic radiation, which has enough thermal energy to melt welding rods and emit sparks, alongside the dangerous ultraviolet light that can burn the retina of an unprotected eye.
Since this radiation is even intense enough that the heat can be felt several meters away, and the light can be seen for kilometers, adequate protection is critical to prevent eye injuries and long-term implications such as cataracts, which, while treatable, are a serious health concern especially in regions with limited medical access.
Regular and intense exposure to UV-B radiation is a known factor for cataract formation, underscoring the importance of using proper eye protection during activities that involve intense light and radiation, such as arc welding, to prevent such ocular health risks.
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In the arc welding process eye exposure to intense visible light