A UV blocking filter or ultraviolet optical filter prevents ultraviolet light transmission. UV filters are commonly used in photography to reduce the level of ultraviolet light that strikes the recording medium. Historically, photographic films were mostly sensitive to UV light, which caused haziness or fogginess, and in color films a bluish hue. Therefore, as a standard, a UV (blocking) filter was used, transparent to visible light while filtering out shorter ultraviolet wavelengths. However, newer photographic film and digital cameras are highly insensitive to UV wavelengths.
Overexposure to UV can cause skin and eye damage requiring windows and other glass surfaces to be used for protection. Similarly, UV exposure can also damage artwork, documents, and other ink based items found behind UV blocking glass generally found in museums.
Abrisa Technologies generally uses borosilicate glass; Borofloat® as the filter medium and the standard thickness is 0.125” (3.175mm), custom thicknesses are available. The UV filter size can be as large as 24” or (609.6mm) in diameter.