UV-C FACTS
UV-C light is harmful to eyes and skin therefore should only be
used in places devoid of people, pets and plants.
Can UV-C help prevent Covid-19 transmission?
Based on existing evidence, we believe so. Here’s why: UVC light has been used extensively for more than 40 years in disinfecting drinking water, wastewater, air, pharmaceutical products, and surfaces against a whole suite of human pathogens (Fluence UV Dose Required review IUVA).
Can UV-C alone "kill" any kind of virus?
UVC disinfection is often used with other technologies in a multibarrier approach to ensure that whatever pathogen is not “killed” by one method (say filtering or cleaning) is inactivated by another (UVC). In this way, UVC could be installed now in clinical or other settings to augment existing processes or to shore up existing protocols where these are exhausted by excessive demands due to the pandemic.
Are commercial disinfects enough to destroy any virus?
COVID-19 infections can be caused by contact with contaminated surfaces and then touching facial areas (less common than person-to-person, but still an issue). Minimizing this risk is key because the COVID-19 virus can live on plastic and steel surfaces for up to 3 days. Normal cleaning and disinfection may leave behind some residual contamination, which UVC can treat suggesting that a multiple disinfectant approach is prudent. *UVC has been shown to achieve a high level of inactivation of a near-relative of COVID-19’s virus (i.e., SARS-CoV-1, tested with adequate dose of 254nm UV while suspended in liquid). IUVA believes similar results can be expected when treating COVID-19’s virus, SARS-CoV-2. However, the key is applying UVC in such a way that it can effectively reach any remaining viruses on those surfaces.
Is all ultraviolet considered germicidal ultraviolet (GUV)?
No. Germicidal ultraviolet (GUV) – refers to short-wavelength ultraviolet “light” (radiant energy) that has been shown to kill bacteria and spores and to inactivate viruses.
Germicidal UV (GUV) refers to using ultraviolet radiant energy to inactivate bacteria, mold spores, fungi, or viruses.
The non-technical term is germicidal light.
Germicidal UV (GUV) refers to using ultraviolet radiant energy to inactivate bacteria, mold spores, fungi, or viruses.
The non-technical term is germicidal light.
Can UV-C clean every inch of every surface?
IUVA recognizes that in the cases where the UVC light cannot reach a particular pathogen, that pathogen will not be disinfected. However, in general, reducing the total number of pathogens reduces the risk of transmission. The total pathogenic load can be reduced substantially by applying UV to the many surfaces that are readily exposed, as a secondary barrier to cleaning, especially in hurried conditions. This would be a relatively straightforward matter of illuminating the relevant surfaces with UVC light, for example, the air and surfaces around/in rooms and personal protective equipment. UV light, specifically between 200-280nm (UVC or the germicidal range), inactivates (aka, ‘kills’) at least two other coronaviruses that are near-relatives of the COVID-19 virus: 1) SARS-CoV-1 and 2) MERS-CoV. An important caveat is this inactivation has been demonstrated under controlled conditions in the laboratory.
You say UV-C inactivates viruses. I want to KILL them. Why should I buy your system?
“COVID-19” refers to a disease and diseases cannot be “killed.” Therefore, the claim “Kills COVID-19” is always considered false and misleading.
UV-C can only inactivate the SARS-CoV-2 virus?
All bacteria and viruses tested to date (many hundreds over the years, including other coronaviruses) respond to UV disinfection. Some organisms are more susceptible to UVC disinfection than others, but all tested so far do respond at the appropriate doses.
What is the UVC dose for killing or disabling the COVID-19 virus?
Because the COVID-19 virus (SARS-CoV-2) is so new, the scientific community doesn’t yet have a specific deactivation dosage. However, we know the dosage values for comparable viruses in the same SARS virus family are 10-20 mJ/cm2 using direct UVC light at a wavelength of 254nm this dosage will achieve 99.9% disinfection (i.e., inactivation) under controlled lab conditions. In real-life, the virus is often hidden or shaded from direct UVC light, reducing UVC’s effectiveness. To compensate, researchers are applying dosages of 1,000 – 3,000 mJ/cm2 to ensure 99.9% deactivation, the current CDC disinfection goal.
Are UVC disinfection devices safe?
Like any disinfection system, UVC devices must be used properly to be safe. They all produce varying amounts of UVC light in wavelengths of 200nm-280nm. This UVC light is much “stronger” than normal sunlight and can cause a severe sunburn-like reaction to your skin. The target tissue in the eye would be the cornea (rather than the retina). The effect on the cornea is called photokeratitis, which is also known as welder’s flash or snow-blindness, which is like a sunburn of the eye. It’s unlikely that any of the UVC light would penetrate through the cornea and the lens to reach the retina because of the short-wavelength (i.e. high frequency). Some devices also produce ozone as part of their cycle, others produce light and heat like an arc welder, others move during their cycles. Hence, general machine-human safety needs to be considered with all disinfection devices, and these considerations should be addressed in the operations manual, in the user training, and appropriate safety compliance.
How can you measure the effectiveness of the UV-C?
The effectiveness of UV light in practice depends on factors such as the exposure time and the ability of the UV light to reach the viruses in water, air, and in the folds and crevices of materials and surfaces.
IUVA also concurs with CDC guidance to hospitals that the germicidal effectiveness of UVC is influenced by the UVC absorbing properties of the suspension, the surface or aerosol that the organism is in by the type or action spectra of the microorganism and by a variety of design and operating factors that impact the delivered UV dose to the microorganism.
IUVA also concurs with CDC guidance to hospitals that the germicidal effectiveness of UVC is influenced by the UVC absorbing properties of the suspension, the surface or aerosol that the organism is in by the type or action spectra of the microorganism and by a variety of design and operating factors that impact the delivered UV dose to the microorganism.
Do you have a money-back guarantee?
Yes, we do. We offer a 30 day -no- questions asked money-back guarantee.
Are there performance standards and UVC validation protocols for UV disinfection devices?
Given the wide array of UVC devices marketed for disinfection of air, water, and solid surfaces plus the lack of uniform performance standards, and the highly variable degree of research, development, and validation testing that is performed on different devices, the IUVA urges consumers to exercise caution when selecting equipment and look for evidence of third party testing as well as certification of device materials and electrical components by well-known organizations such as NSF, UL, CSA, DVGW-OVGW or other international requirements as applicable. For UVC devices designed to inactivate air and solid surfaces in the healthcare industry, members of IUVA are working diligently with other national standards organizations in the lighting and healthcare industry to develop disinfection testing standards. The goal is to develop guidance that will help healthcare providers worldwide choose the best possible technologies for their institutions to use in the fight against multiple drug-resistant organisms and other pathogens, like the COVID-19 virus.
Didn’t get all your questions answered?
Speak to our air & surface sanitation system specialists.
Have more questions?
Ready to breathe easy again?
*Based on a paper by the INTERNATIONAL ULTRAVIOLET ASSOCIATION. www.iuva.org.
UV-C light is harmful to the eyes and skin, therefore, should only be used in places devoid of people, pets, and plants.