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We
have been informed by all three companies that a certain
consignment of glass used by Westron to manufacture their
mercury vapour lamps has been found to be of an unusually
clear type, allowing abnormally short-wavelength UVB to
pass through. (Normally the glass used for these lamps
absorbs this.) This short-wavelength UVB greatly increases
the risk of photo-kerato-conjunctivitis, especially if
the reptile is close to the minimum recommended distance
to the lamp.
Affected
reptiles keep their eyes closed because the condition
is very painful. If badly affected, they may become very
depressed and need veterinary attention.
If
you purchased either of these lamps from mid-October
2009 and your
reptile is NOT showing any symptoms, then your lamp is
NOT of concern, please don't worry un-necessarily..
But if you have noted any problems at
all, or a negative change in your reptile's behaviour:
-
Check out our
information on photo-kerato-conjunctivitis here.
If
the symptoms seem to describe your reptile's condition,
you may find our advice helpful.
- Contact
the manufacturer immediately - all three companies are
actively and sympathetically dealing with the problem:
- For
ReptileUV MegaRay lamps,
if
you are in the USA, please use the contact form here:
www.ReptileUV.com.
If you are in Europe please visit www.megaray.co.uk
and use this contact form instead.
What
lamps are affected?
As
far as we know, only some lamps from batches JI,
KI and LI are affected. The batch number is stamped on the
glass on the upper surface of each lamp, next to the company
logo. All these lamps were produced after October 2009 when
this particular consignment of glass arrived. Lamps stamped
with other batch numbers are not thought to be affected.
Some
lamps across the entire ReptileUV MegaRay range (EB and
SB MegaRay and Zoo MegaRay lamps, all wattages) the self-ballasted
T-Rex Active UV Heat Flood range (all wattages) and the
self-ballasted Komodo UV-Sun lamp have been manufactured
in this glass.
What
is being done?
ReptileUV
are recalling all affected lamps and applying a UV-reducing
coating which is cured onto the surface of the lamp at 400C.
Each lamp is thoroughly tested to ensure the treatment has
been effective, and then shipped back to the original purchaser.
A refund is also available as an alternative.
T-Rex
and Komodo are also requesting the return of any lamps causing
concern. However, they are not treating affected lamps;
instead we understand they are offering to send replacement
bulbs to the customer as soon as Westron begin production
of new lamps from glass of the original specifications.
Until then they have stopped sales and distribution of affected
lamps.
UV
Guide UK is
currently testing samples of the ReptileUV lamps with the
UV-reducing overspray, and will also be testing the new
generation of Westron lamps as soon as they are available.
We will keep you updated on the situation.
Our
preliminary tests suggest that the ReptileUV treatment does
reduce significantly the amount of short wavelength UVB
emitted by affected lamps.
-
We would also emphasise the importance of keeping all
lamps at least
the manufacturer's recommended minimum distance above
your reptile's head, and
- Always
hang your lamp vertically, directly
over the basking zone - don't shine
any lamp sideways into a reptile's eyes.
If
your reptile has been affected by one of these lamps, drop
us an email, too, and tell us of your experience.
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