Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, UVC technology has emerged as one of the most innovative technologies capable of fending off pathogens and disease. Naturally, many companies have jumped on board with this, and many are creating different devices that utilize UVC lights.
This has some unfortunate side effects however. Because UVC technology has been so recently brought into the public eye, many do not understand the potential dangers that come with this incredible germ killer.
UVC lights can kill pathogens on contact, so it makes sense that these lights can also harm us. While indirect contact does nothing to us (i.e. seeing a reflection of the light or seeing the glow the light causes from another room) direct contact with this light can burn your skin and cause permanent blindness. Be cautious of any product that is labeled as a UVC light that claims to be safe to use in direct exposure without protective gear. If this is the case there are only two options, either the light is fake and will not kill any germs, or the company is not knowledgeable and they are exposing you to harm.
Most fake devices are ones that seem too good to be true such as a little box that costs $20 and will sanitize your phone, or a $30 purple LED light that claims to sanitize. There is a way to test if your UVC device is real or fake. With a nanometer reader, we are able to measure how potent a light is. The minimum strength your UVC light should have is 1,500 kilojoules per square centimeter. LED UVC lights do work, but they are very weak and can take hours to sanitize objects. True UVC light glows a light blue, so if your light is purple, chances are it is fake, or very minimally effective. If you are doubting the effectiveness of your device, give us a call and we will happily set up a free appointment to test your product with our reader. It is so important to make sure UVC technology is being used correctly, and we want to make sure everyone is safe and germ free.
It is also important to know about other forms of sanitization. Foggers have become increasingly popular, and they are effective. However, they leave chemical residue on all surfaces and require time to air out your building before it is safe for humans again. No matter how “natural” they claim to be, a residue is not something that you want in your home. The Ion cleaners are even more worrisome, because it attaches radiation to germs to kill pathogens slowly over time. So, while the cleaner is killing the germs in your space it is also sprinkling you with radiation. UVC light sanitation leaves no residue and needs no downtime, it also does not linger in the air. Always educate yourself when it comes to new methods of sanitation. Stay safe!
Nicholas Knudsen, founder of Purification LLC, is a leading innovator of using UV-C technology in practical ways to eradicate COVID-19 and other airborne pathogens.
