A video imaging technique for assessing dermal exposure. I. Instrument design and testing.

A new method for measuring dermal exposure has been developed which employs video imaging technology and fluorescent tracers. Workers are examined under long wave ultraviolet light following exposure, and fluorescence is quantitated by a television camera interfaced to a microcomputer. This instrument demonstrates high stability over extended periods of use. Through proper calibration it can quantitate a wide range of fluorescent tracer densities on the skin accurately. The lower limit of detection is 100 ng/cm2. Quenching occurs when very high levels of fluorescence are detected, creating an upper limit to quantitation.