Definition: That portion of the electromagnetic spectrum immediately below the visible range and extending into the x-ray frequencies. The longer wavelengths (near-UV or biotic or vital rays) are necessary for the endogenous synthesis of vitamin D and are also called antirachitic rays; the shorter, ionizing wavelengths (far-UV or abiotic or extravital rays) are viricidal, bactericidal, mutagenic, and carcinogenic and are used as disinfectants.
non-ionizing but short-wave UV is ionizing
Other names Ultraviolet Ray; Ultraviolet Black Lights; Ultraviolet Black Light; Ultra-Violet Ray; Ultra Violet Rays; Rays, Ultraviolet; Rays, Ultra-Violet; Rays, Actinic; Ray, Ultraviolet; Ray, Ultra-Violet; Ray, Actinic; Light, Ultraviolet; Light, UV; Black Lights, Ultraviolet; Actinic Ray; Ultraviolet Light; Ultra-Violet Rays; UV Light; Black Light, Ultraviolet; Actinic Rays
