there are four major areas where the optical brilliance of daylight fluorescent dyes and pigments have been employed to take full advantage of the striking contrast these colorants have with their surrounding environment. they include $em dash$ (1) packaging $em dash$ a good example of this would be detergent and soap boxes; (2) safety and warning devices $em dash$ traffic cones, hunting vests; (3) advertising $em dash$ billboards, point of purchase signs; (4) toys and sporting goods. each of these areas have the color applied either by a surface coating, e. g. , printing ink, silk screen ink or paint, or, as in the case of plastic resins, by incorporation of the colorant into the melted plastic during processing. a discussion of mechanisms of works of fluorescent pigment is followed by required properties of these plastics additives. it is concluded that the reasons for using or not using fluorescent colorants, the most important factor to be considered is the color of the final product. if one is looking for an inexpensive, low profile product with a long outdoor use, then fluorescent colorants would not be applicable. if there is a need for a plastic part which will be eye-catching (for sales or safety reasons), or will be used indoors or have a controlled outdoor usage and needs to contrast with its surroundings, then fluorescent colorants should be considered as a viable means of conveying the message to the public eye