One common question about glow in the dark powder is whether it is truly safe to use. Historically, the glow-in-the-dark green color (the most widely recognized shade as for glow in the dark powder) was often associated with uranium, a highly radioactive and dangerous substance. While the answer to the question is excatly yes, and glow in the dark powder is completely safe, non-toxic, and non-radioactive. To elaborate further, it's important to understand the composition of glow in the dark powder and what enables it to emit its characteristic glow.
There are various types of glow in the dark powder available on the market, with strontium aluminate-based glow pigments being the most popular due to their extended glow duration and intense luminosity. For simplicity, this article will primarily focus on strontium aluminate-based glow pigments. Rest assured, other types of glow pigments are also safe for use.
Currently, two main types of strontium aluminate-based glow in the dark powder are widely manufactured and used: SrAl2O4:Eu, Dy, which emits a yellow-green light (JTPS Series), and Sr4Al14O25:Eu, Dy, which emits a blue-green light (JTB Series). These pigments are produced by firing materials such as SrCO3, Dy2O3, Eu2O3, Al2O3, and flux. After firing, the material is crushed and sieved to create glow in the dark powder of various grain sizes, glow durations, and luminosity levels. SrCO3, Dy2O3, and Al2O3 are oxide forms of strontium, dysprosium, and aluminum, respectively. Both strontium and dysprosium are rare-earth metals that are non-toxic and non-radioactive.
The glowing effect of strontium aluminate-based pigments is the result of electronic transitions. In simple terms, when the pigment is exposed to light, it absorbs and stores electrons. In darkness, these stored electrons are slowly released due to the thermal disturbance of room temperature. The released electrons transition back to an excited state, and as they return to their ground state, the pigment emits its afterglow.
If you're still uncertain, our strontium aluminate-based glow in the dark powder is certified by REACH and has passed testing standards such as ASTM and RoHS, which evaluate for harmful substances like lead and heavy metals. This ensures that our products are entirely safe for use in creating glow-in-the-dark items. For further information or to request test reports, feel free to contact our specialist at jtym@lumi-nite.cn or click the "Contact Us" button on our website.
English
