Many people associate UV light and rays with the sun, skin damage, cancer and other potentially damaging areas. Of course, we cannot dispute the suns power and the damage it can do, but we CAN however hopefully educate people on the subject of UV light a little.
Many people do not actually realise that there are in fact several DIFFERENT types of UV light sources and not all of them are harmful. Many also do not know that UV light, black light, blue light and UV radiation are all in fact VERY different.
Here’s something we think could help you a little:
Ultraviolet (UV) light destroys the molecular bonds that hold together the DNA of viruses and bacteria.
UV light is a particularly good option for sanitation because it kills bacteria regardless of drug resistance and without toxic chemicals.
UV lights for sanitisation & sterilisation are commonly used in hospital theatres / surgical procedures as well as the food health industry in food preparation areas.
An Overview of UV Light and Viruses...
Ultraviolet light has been used for many decades to provide lighting options and other industrial applications.
What is UV light?
Ultraviolet light, or UV light, is most commonly known for causing sunburns or tan lines. The electromagnetic spectrum covers a wide range of wavelengths however, including UV light. Typically, UV light is considered within the wavelength range of 100nm to 400nm. On the electromagnetic spectrum, UV light is between visible light and x-rays.
Ultraviolet radiation: UV waves are not visible to the human eye, but they are used for many everyday items and practices. A major source of ultraviolet radiation is the sun. UV light is classified into three subcategories.
UV-C rays are absorbed by the earth’s atmosphere and are the most harmful. The wavelengths for UV-C rays range from 100nm to 280nm.
UV-B rays can lead to sunburn and cellular damage, and most UV-B rays are absorbed by our atmosphere. These rays range in wavelength from 280nm-315nm.
Finally, UV-A rays are retained by the earth’s atmosphere and range in wavelength from 315nm-400nm.
Common uses for UV light...
Ultraviolet light is used for a wide range of applications in our everyday lives. In the commercial, healthcare, and industrial settings, UV light is used to disinfect, provide lighting, or create photochemical reactions.
Common uses for UV light include:
UV lamps that dry inks
Disinfection
Hygiene control
Fluorescent inspection lamps
Tanning beds
Surface disinfection for the food industry
Processes to prolong shelf life and preserve nutrients
Sterilization processes to reduce health risks
Water treatment practices
Blacklights
Perhaps one of the most common applications for UV light is fluorescent lamps. Fluorescent light bulbs are made with mercury vapour. When mercury vapour comes into contact with an electric current, it emits UV rays. The UV rays are absorbed before reappearing as white light. Incandescent light bulbs also give off UV light but in small amounts.
While these types of light bulbs give off small amounts of UV radiation, they are NOT harmful to humans. They may, however, be damaging to plants or small animals, paints, coloured plastics, museum exhibits, and other sensitive objects. Fluorescent and incandescent light bulbs were the standard for many years, but many industries have since sought better lighting options.
UV rays and LED lighting...
The concern of damage from UV radiation led to a search for safer ways of living. As people became aware of the harm caused by UV rays from the sun, they started using sunscreen, sunglasses, and other products to protect their bodies. This protection can prevent sunburns, skin damage, and other cellular damage. Those concerns also shifted towards a search for better lighting.
LED light bulbs, made from light-emitting diodes, use a semiconductor material to generate light, and they do NOT emit UV radiation.
LED lighting is safe for humans, all living organisms, and sensitive materials or objects.
UV light and viruses...
The Center for Radiological Research conducted a study that found low doses of UV-C light can kill airborne flu viruses. Light with a wavelength of 100n to 280nm can destroy viruses or bacteria and has been embraced by many hospitals for cleaning and sanitization. The shorter wavelengths of UV-C provide higher energy levels that destroy the molecular bond of the DNA of viruses.
UV sanitization lights have also become available to consumers on a smaller scale. UV light sanitizers can be used to clean cell phones, toothbrushes, surfaces, and more.
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