What is UV disinfection?

Views: 0     Author: Grace     Publish Time: 2021-11-04      Origin: https://www.suntechleds.com/

Overview:

What is UV light?

How does UV light kill germs?

When was UV lighting invented?

Can UV lighting disinfect air, surfaces, and water?

What are the benefits of UV disinfection systems?



Since the COVID-19 outbreak at the end of 2019, various disinfection methods have been paid attention to by everyone.UV disinfection is one of the methods, which uses "light" to disinfect objects. Ultraviolet (UV) light inactivates microorganisms by destroying the genetic material and structural molecules of organisms (including viruses) to make them no longer infectious. It is commonly used to disinfect water, air, and surfaces. This article will elaborate on the relevant knowledge points of UV disinfection, let us read on!


What is UV light?

Physicists describe light as both a particle and a wave, and this phenomenon is called "wave-particle duality."As a particle, massless photons carry light energy at the speed of light throughout the universe. As a wave, energy is radiated through the smooth oscillation of an electromagnetic field. Ultraviolet radiation is on the short-wave side of the electromagnetic spectrum, ranging from 100 to 400 nm. The UV range is further subdivided into four categories: UV-A (315 nm to 400 nm), UV-B (280 nm to 315 nm), UV-C (200 nm to 280 nm), and vacuum UV (100nm to 200 nm). Among them, UVA long-wave ultraviolet rays are often called near-ultraviolet rays, and UVC short-wave ultraviolet rays are often called deep ultraviolet rays.


Spectrum_of_Light



How does UV light kill germs?

The Spectrum of Light

Like sunlight, ultraviolet rays will bring warmth to our skin, but at the same time, they will damage skin cells and turn them into tumors, effectively destroying the good skin that once existed. The same process (although slightly milder) can cause sunburn and irritation of the skin, causing the skin to become red. The science behind all of this has been understood for almost 150 years. Once we understand how and why UV rays damage substances (such as skin), and once we can use it, we begin to use this new weapon against our biological enemies.


Ultraviolet light is a mutagen. In a specific wavelength range (mainly UVC) and a sufficiently high dose, ultraviolet rays can cause the abnormal formation and changes of adjacent pyrimidine molecules in RNA or DNA in microbial cells such as bacteria and viruses, Chemical bonds hinder the replication of DNA or RNA and directly lead to the death of microbial cells. Deep ultraviolet LEDs achieve the effect of sterilization and disinfection by emitting deep ultraviolet light with UVC wavelength.



When was UV lighting invented?

Since Downes and Blunt discovered the antibacterial effect of shorter-wavelength sunlight, the disinfecting properties of ultraviolet lamps have been known for more than 140 years. Soon thereafter, it proved that the ultraviolet part of the spectrum can destroy microorganisms.


After confirming the ability of UV lighting to kill pathogens, the next step is to find a way to replicate the UV wavelengths to disinfect surfaces, air, and water. In 1904, the first ultraviolet quartz lamp came out, and germicidal lamps were produced. A germicidal lamp is a lamp that produces ultraviolet (UV-C, 200nm to 280nm) wavelengths with disinfection properties.UV-C light is the only ultraviolet light that has been effectively tested to inactivate viruses and kill bacteria. This type of ultraviolet light is also called germicidal ultraviolet light.



Can UV lighting disinfect air, surfaces, and water?

Yes, please look at the following analysis.



UVC light disinfection

Air---UV lamps can disinfect the air in many ways. Generally, UV-C lamps are used in ceiling fixtures or HVAC systems to continuously clean the circulating air. Because the lamp itself has a protective cover, its radiation will only be directed upwards so as not to harm people (more on safety and UV lighting). In addition, the UVC Lamp is far enough away from the ground so that people will not be harmed by the radiation from far away, nor can they reach it.


Surface---This is like using ultraviolet light to kill pathogens on materials, objects, and surfaces, as well as PPE and other medical equipment.No one, is in the room when the ultraviolet disinfection lighting device is working. Just like this Duke University study, it proved that ultraviolet lighting can kill pathogens even in hard-to-reach corners and drawers inwards.


Water---Ultraviolet lighting is a common method to kill pathogens in water, especially in cities, where most of them are sterilized by this method. Municipalities use this technology in their water treatment plants and wastewater. People even use ultraviolet lighting in pipes in their homes. It's very simple-put the ultraviolet illuminator in the water for disinfection, and the disinfection can be completed.



What are the benefits of UV disinfection systems? 
  • Natural – UV rays are nature's way of purifying.

  • Effective – All known microorganisms are sensitive to UV light

  • Economical – The operating cost of the disinfection system is relatively low

  • Environmentally Friendly – All currently known microorganisms are sensitive to UV light and can kill them

  • Fast –It is a contact purification, turn on the switch and you can use it

  • Safe and Chemical Free – No chemicals added, so no overdose danger claims

  • Convenient–Timing device, waiting for people to leave before starting work, and easy to carry


Suntech always provides the best UVC LED Light products, Click here to email the Suntech team or call +8618047451217 for more information.


Author: Grace


Articles you may also be interested in:





DMX Lighting System
UVC LED Disinfection
             Contact Us
Suntech LED Logo
 6th Floor, Building B, 
Xiangdali Industrial Park, East Baoshi Road, Baoan District, Shenzhen, China
  (+86)-18588265235
Shenzhen Suntech Company Limited
 
          QR Code
​Copyright ©2021 Yacht. All rights reserved  Sitemap