We welcomed the year 2020 with the impending threat of COVID-19. Now, we are halfway through the year, and we are just getting used to the “new normal” way of living. The aftermath of the pandemic is not something we could brush off easily. Many of us are still cautious regarding sanitizing our households and wearing the correct protective gear when we go outside. As a result, people are coming up with various sanitation methods every day. One way that is gaining popularity is the use of ultraviolet light.
UVC, a type of ultraviolet ray, is used to fight off germs and bacteria, like the coronavirus, from interior surfaces. To know more about this trending solution, here is everything you need to know about it.
What is UVC?
Ultraviolet (UV) light is a type of electromagnetic radiation, falling between visible light and X-Rays. Three types of UV light are classified according to their wavelength and serve their purpose. One of the three is called UVC, which is commonly used for disinfection and sanitation. Processes like disinfecting water, sterilizing surfaces, and destroying harmful microorganisms in food products all use the UVC wavelength.
So how does UVC work in disinfecting germs and bacteria?
This type of ultraviolet light renders harmful microorganisms ineffective by rupturing the cell walls of these organisms and destroying the genetic information in its DNA. UVC doesn’t kill harmful microorganisms perse. Instead, what it means is that it prevents these organisms from reproducing. A single cell of virus or bacteria doesn’t cause significant harm to people, but when it multiplies and replicates, the higher chance of infection to happen.
UVC is a recommended method to treat parasites that are extremely resistant to chemical disinfectants.
Now, what does this method have to do with fighting off COVID-19?
Does UVC fight off COVID-19?
The coronavirus is known to be airborne and transmitted through small respiratory droplets. Much like other types of viruses, its cells multiply and, which will start the infection in the human body. Because it’s a smaller size particle, there is a possibility of the virus sticking and permuting through surfaces and even in the clothing that we wear. So, even sanitizing your house with chemical disinfectants, there still runs the risk of the virus remaining.
This is where UVC may help. In the past, this type of ultraviolet light was already used in the medical and food processing industries to kill bacteria, viruses, and moulds. It helps to fight off microorganisms in professional sanitary places such as hospitals and factories. Once the pandemic affected many people around the world, researchers looked at the possibility of using UVC to disinfect areas prone to infection.
It shows that a certain level of UCV can kill up to 99.99% of harmful microorganisms. The said method is also recommended for high touch areas and hard-to-wipe equipment, where the virus may remain. Also, doesn’t produce any fumes, ozone, chemicals, and odour that other chemical disinfectant might.
Several companies are now using UV light to sanitize public areas such as public transport, aeroplanes, and sports arenas. Buildings are also installing UV scanners to detect anyone who might carry the virus.
As we are entering the phase of the “new normal”, people are keener about their surroundings. It wouldn’t be surprising to see UVC lights used everywhere. It might be a new experience for many of us, but it is a way to assure our safety inside or outside our home.
Is UVC harmful?
When people first hear the word ‘ultraviolet’, they immediately think of its harmful effects. That’s fair. Mishandling of such material can cause more harm than good.
As mentioned earlier, there are three types of ultraviolet lights, each posing different risks. UVC wavelengths are shorter than other types of UV. As a result, the UVC rays from the sun are already absorbed by the atmosphere. So, there is no natural UVC radiation that reaches the earth surface. UVC exposure from sunlight is seldom. In cases that it does contact the human skin, its wavelength is so short that it only reaches the dead cell layer of the skin.
Still, UVC is a commonly used disinfectant tool in some industries. Exposure to UVC has short and long term effects on the skin. More acute effects include redness and breaking of the skin layer, but high-level exposure can cause severe burns. Long term effects, such as premature ageing of the skin and skin cancer, are cumulative, meaning that it will depend on the amount of exposure you had throughout your lifetime.
The said UV light also poses harm to the eyes. Direct exposure to UVC may cause temporary eye damage like a “welder’s eye”, which is a flash burn in the cornea.
How to Avoid Exposure to UVC?
Despite its possible side effects, UVC is still considered necessary and helpful in sanitizing surfaces and products. Adverse events may be prevented as long as you handle the material properly.
Clothing, plastic, and glass absorb UV radiation. People who handle ultraviolet lights wear personal protective equipment (PPE) made from the materials mentioned, covering all exposed areas of the body. They use UV goggles and full-face shields. Remember that prescription glasses and regular safety glasses will not protect your eyes from UV exposure. Also, cover exposed skin with lab coats, nitrile gloves, and other lab attire.
Products and machines using UVC are also assured to be safe through its design. It takes proper installation, monitoring, education of maintenance personnel, and use of safety switches to avoid overexposure. Make sure to follow the given instructions regarding the product’s maintenance, and keep it for reference to prevent hazardous exposure. Lastly, store it accordingly. Certain UV products need to be kept in places with specific humidity ranges.
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