Due to the unique nature of our product line at glowproducts.com, people often ask us a variety questions. Here are a few answers to some of those questions.
Are Glow Sticks safe?
Yes. All our chemical glow light sticks and products come in a sealed plastic case. Even if the outer casing of the glow light stick or glow light product is somehow punctured or broken open, the chemical contents are non-toxic and non-flammable. Contact with eyes or ingesting of the fluid should be avoided because irritation will result. There is also the possibility of an allergic reaction. Please keep in mind however that under normal use you will never come into contact with the fluid inside the glow light stick. Glow light products are not recommended for children under the age of 5 without adult supervision.
How do Glow Sticks work?
There are four components to most glow sticks & glow products. The first is the plastic outer casing which holds everything together. The second is the fluid that you can see moving around in the glow stick or glow product. The third is the glass ampoule which floats freely in the fluid and the fourth component is the fluid contained inside the glass ampoule. Now that your aware of the components that make up a glow product you will learn how to activate one. To make a glow light product or glow light stick 'glow' you must bend the outer plastic casing enough so that the inner glass ampoule breaks. The two chemicals can then mix together creating the chemical reaction and the glow effect.
How long do Glow Sticks glow for? / How long do Glow Sticks last?
Glow Sticks glow from 4 to 24 hours depending on the product type, brand, color and temperature of the environment they are being used in. Typically, the smaller the glow stick, the shorter the glow duration due to the amount of chemical glow used inside the glow stick. Industrial Quality 6 Inch Glow Sticks can last up to 12 hours and Long Lasting Glow Sticks that use a special powder based formula can glow for over 24 hours.
Does temperature affect Glow Sticks?
Yes, the warmer the temperature, the brighter the glow stick will glow. The heat will also shorten the chemical reaction time, which is of course the length of time that the light stick glows for. So, for example if you have the glow stick with you in a hot tub, or if you are dancing and you are in a hot room, the glow stick will glow very brightly, but the duration will not be as long as it normally is.
If it is colder, the glow stick will be dimmer and the reaction time will be longer, meaning that it will glow longer. So if you are a scuba diver or hiker using a glow stick to mark something in cold water or cooler temperatures, the glow will not be very bright, but the duration will be longer. However, please note that if the temperatures are very cold, below freezing temperatures, the glow stick may freeze and the glow effect will be limited.
Can you turn glow stick products "off" once they have been activated?
No, once you have activated a glow light product it will glow until the chemical reaction is finished. You can however prolong the life of your glow light stick or glow light product after it has been activated. Stick it into the freezer. Freezing an activated glow light product will slow the chemical reaction. Once you take it back out of the freezer, the glow light stick or glow light product will start to glow again once it reaches room temperature. This technique does not stop the chemical reaction, but it slows the reaction enough that if you put it into the freezer one night and take it back out the next night, it should work fine.
Are Glow Sticks waterproof?
Yes. Chemical based glow sticks are sealed in a plastic tube and are waterproof. Glow Sticks were originally developed by the US Navy as a non-heated, non-sparking light source for illumination. Scuba Divers and the Coast Guard use them in water to make themselves more visible and as a safe dependable light source.
Glow sticks are waterproof, do not use any batteries, do not generate any heat, and can tolerate high pressures, such as those found under water.
What happens if I get the chemical from a Glow Stick on my clothes?
With normal use of glow light product this is not a issue, but if you happen to puncture a glow light product and get it on your clothing, simply rinse the area with warm soapy water. If the chemical dries on the clothing it may cause a stain.
How should I store un-activated Glow Sticks / Glow Products?
Glow light products should be stored in a cool dry place in their original container or package. Heat and humidity will shorten the shelf life of glow light products.
How long is the shelf life of Glow Sticks?
Depending on how they are packaged the shelf life is 1 to 4 years. Glow products kept in foil packaging will last for up to 4 years and items with no foil packaging have usually just over a 1 year shelf life.
What chemicals are in a Glow Stick?
The glow light is made of two parts which when mixed together create the chemical reaction which makes them glow.
- 4 g sodium carbonate - 0.2 g luminol - 0.5 g ammonium carbonate - 0.4 g copper sulfate pentahydrate - approx. 1 litre of distilled water. - 50 ml of 3% hydrogen peroxide.
Do you have a question about glow products that has not been answered here?
If you have a question about glow sticks or glow light sticks which you would like answered please contact us and we will answer your question via email. We may also include the answer to your question here on our "Frequently Asked Questions" page.
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