Skip to content
UltraViolet light-based sanitizers are coming up as the solution to destroying coronavirus on our hands, phones, and tablets, but such consumer products might have more drawbacks than useful. Sterilization by UV light is nothing new: It has been a valuable technology for more than 40 years, leading to clean air. Many products often use UV light to sanitize items.
The Principle Behind the Functioning of Commercial UV light sanitizer
A fast primer on Ultraviolet radiation: UV light comes mostly from the sun, but there are also artificial UV light sources, like UV disinfection lamps.
Ultraviolet lights are classified into three: UV-C, UV-B, and UV-A;
UV-A and UV-B light lead to premature aging of the skin, and being exposed to both is linked with skin cancer growth. UV-C light, the most energetic of all the three forms, is the most dangerous, but luckily it does not hit the Earth’s surface because it is absorbed by our atmosphere.
There’s even a human-made UV-C ray: what’s in the UV light sanitizers that manufacturers say to suppress the coronavirus. According to the National Academy of Sciences, this is likely to be valid because UV light is already being used to clean surfaces and water for an extended period and is usually sufficient.
It functions because UV-C light is intense enough to kill the genetic material-either DNA or RNA-of viruses and bacteria. There’s no proof right now that everyday sun exposure will kill the coronavirus, so no, going out on a sunny day won’t minimize the chances of getting it.
Can UV light kill the coronavirus?
Based on available scientific evidence that UV light can eradicate numerous viruses, it is possibly correct that UV rays can kill SARS-CoV-2.
The National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine have confirmed that ultraviolet light can destroy coronavirus. UV light has been shown to kill other coronaviruses, so it is expected to function on the novel coronavirus. This includes the lethal Middle Eastern respiratory coronavirus syndrome, MERS-CoV, severe acute respiratory coronavirus syndrome, or SARS.
Yet there is a significant caveat: UV light destroys human skin, so it can only be used on objects or surfaces, NASEM continues.
This means that you cannot use a UV light sanitizer wand. Stick to sanitizing your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water (following appropriate hand-washing guidelines) or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water are not available.
WHO emphasizes this, claiming on the coronavirus misconception website that people do not use UV light to disinfect their hands or other parts of the skin, as UV radiation “can cause skin irritation and harm to your eyes.”
While researchers have focused on making these strong disinfectants safe for people to use, current devices are not secure to use on your body. This is partial because, for that matter, many (if not most) of these products are not FDA-licensed or approved by any regulating health body.
This means that what you see will not be what you get—an incredibly critical factor, because while very low-dose, far-range Ultraviolet light may not affect humans or animals, using too high a dose that is very close to your skin will potentially be dangerous.
UV light hand sanitizers and skin health concerns
UV Light for room disinfection is divided into wavelength-based classes, with UV-A light (the longest wavelength) most associated with skin aging and some skin cancers, and UV-B light (medium wavelength) associated with sunburn and some skin cancers.
UV-C light has the shortest wavelength range but is potentially the most harmful. Fortunately, the environment filters out UV-C, meaning our skin and eyes are not usually exposed to UV-C.
UV-C light is what sanitizers use to destroy or inactivate microorganisms by killing and damaging their nucleic acids, but if the system is correctly checked and properly used, it helps to kill pathogens—but anything that is this effective also can damage the skin. Are there any future problems? Yes, it can cause burns and is a carcinogen (as is all UV light).
Getting the Best CPAP Sanitizer
At Best Cpap Cleaner we have detailed comparisons of UV light sanitizers for covid that are new to the market. You will easily compare different models, prices, functionality, and quality. Give us a call today at Coral Springs, Florida at (885) (275-8951 or visit our website at www.bestcpapcleaner.com.
Shop
