UV tracers can be solids or liquids, visible or invisible, staining or washable.  Tracers can be used for things like:

• Finding leaks
• Detection the presence of something
• Anti-theft tracing
• Hazardous materials training

Finding leaks  When looking for a leak, you need to consider if the substance, for example water, is soluble or compatible with the tracer.  One tracer may be soluble in water, while another is soluble in acetone or another solvent.  You need to consider how you will detect the leak and the sensitivity of your equipment.  For example, adding an invisible UV tracer dye to water, you might not be able to see the leak during the day, but with a powerful enough light and darkness, you are able to detect it.  One person might have a weak UV light while another has a sophisticated fluorometer that can detect tiny amounts of fluorescence.  Running a small test is the best way to determine if it will work for your particular situation.

Detection of the presence of something  Similar to Finding leaks, you need to evaluate your situation.  You might spread some invisible UV powder near a suspect rodent hole and be able to see if the powder is moved later, but you won't see a long trail of tracks left behind because the powder will only carry a few steps.  If you are doing something outdoors, you need to think about rain, wind and how long you are trying to detect.

Anti-theft tracing  Most of our customers use either or violet visible staining ATPR or our invisible UV red UVXPBR powder.  The powders can be mixed with something like Vaseline if you want it to stick to a surface.  The ATPR is water soluble and can get very messy, very quickly.  Use caution when working with the powder because you will probably get some on you and nearby objects.  The UVXPBR is the most highly fluorescent material we have.

Hazardous Materials Training  Invisible UV powders are good for testing and training on the proper use of hazardous materials.  In particular, because the UVXPBR is extremely fluorescent, it is useful to see if students are properly following hazardous material handling.  By inspecting with a UV light in a darkened room, you will quickly see if trace, normally invisible amounts and transferred incorrectly.

We have water tracer dyes that are ANSI/NSF standard 60 certified for use in drinking water.  The dyes are biodegradable and degrade under sunlight over a period of days.  These tracer dyes can be seen in our store by clicking here.  The part numbers are

• UVDyeTraceLiqYel
• UVDyeTraceLiqRed
• UVDyeTraceTabYel
• UVDyeTraceTabRed

To go to the water soluble dyes in our store, you can click here.

Yellow-Green Dyes

Red Dyes

UVHG 

Our UVHG fluorescent dye is a highly water soluble, highly stable, extremely fluorescent compound that will self-fluoresce in daylight.  Tiny amounts will instantly turn water a bright green shade.  UVHG is stable in a variety of hostile solutions such as high and low PH conditions.  For instance, UVHG will not degrade in a 50% potassium hydroxide.  UVHG is non-toxic.