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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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 (see CDC’s recently published guidelines, online).
Can we use tanning beds to decontaminate PPE?
No. Tanning beds are not considered useful to decontaminate PPE. The lamps in tanning beds are emitting a spectrum of UVA and UVB, wavelengths between 300-400 nm. While there is some antimicrobial efficacy in the UVB spectrum, it is generally pretty low. The UVC portion of the spectrum, 220-280 nm, is much more effective for disinfection. Therefore, I’m afraid that tanning beds cannot be relied upon for this purpose. Theoretically, you could replace the lamps in a tanning bed with those that emit UVC, but you’d also have to remove the acrylic bed surface because UVC does not transmit through that material. By the time you do that much modification to the bed, you may as well build a simple disinfection device using UVC lamps from scratch.
Can we use UVC disinfection to reuse our N-95 masks as our supplies are limited?
Can the products I find on websites such as Amazon be safely used for medical disinfection?
Devices sold on general marketplaces such as Amazon and Alibaba are not regulated for their UV output, and devices sold as UV-C emitters cannot be guaranteed to perform as described. UV-C sources and devices should be purchased from trusted, reputable suppliers. Please consult with the supplier and see the IUVA Advice for further guidance.
Can You Use UVC for direct human disinfection?
How do operators remain safe when using UVC lights to clean surfaces?
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Like any disinfection system, UVC devices must be used properly to be safe. -
They all produce varying amounts of UVC light in wavelengths of 200~280nm. UVC light is much more energetic than normal sunlight, and can cause a severe sunburn-like reaction to your skin, and similarly, could damage the retina of your eye, if exposed. -
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, in general, machine-human safety needs to be considered with all disinfection devices. -
Suitable PPE should be worn at all times when there is a risk of UV exposure to the skin or eyes. Be aware of stray light from the UV source and avoid irradiation of reflective surfaces. -
These considerations should be addressed in the operations manual, in the user training, and appropriate safety compliance.
Would the use of UVC at 185nm wavelength, which generates ozone, be as effective as germicidal UVC or only 254nm?
Studies have shown that UVC light at wavelengths of 254nm-265nm disrupts the DNA/RNA replication process in the cells. Ozone is a toxic chemical produced by 185nm UVC light interacting with oxygen in the air, that disinfects much like any chemical disinfectant. While ozone does dissipate in time, it can be corrosive and its effects on the item being treated needs to be understood before being used. Also, it is a lung irritant, and is regulated by NIOSH as a known safety hazard.
Where can I find third-party testing of the efficacy of UVC lights?
Please contact us for your testing. Send the email to info@irtronix.com you questions, we can help you. Don't hesitate to ask questions.
We are looking into the use UVC light to disinfect certain areas of the electric power plants. Have you done any research on the noise that these devices can induce into electronics (EMI/RFI effect)?
Most UVC disinfection devices make UVC light using a fluorescent-light bulb; the bulb is unique, but otherwise the device uses ballasts, wiring and controls similar to any other fluorescent light fixtures. Other sources include LEDs (typically low voltage/low current) or xenon flash bulbs (using high voltage capacitor discharge circuits). The potential for EMI/RFI effects will vary accordingly.
Can you tell us more about the penetration of UVC through "normal household" items?
There is essentially zero penetration of UVC into any solid material that doesn’t otherwise transmit it – it would all be absorbed within a few microns. There are only a scant few materials that do transmit UVC: high-purity silicate glasses, very thin sections of certain fluoropolymers, sapphire, and some other crystals. Most other polymers, even if visibly transparent, are not at all transmissive UVC. I think thin sections of pure polyethylene can transmit some UVC, depending on its microstructure and how it was processed. It is probably safe to say that a thin enough film of any polymer could transmit UVC to some degree.
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For a disinfection application in which you WANT something exposed to UVC, assume it has no penetration into the material at all. It is only a surface phenomenon. -
For a shielding application in which you DON’T want exposure to UVC, if you cannot see blue light from the lamp getting through the material, it is safe to assume that you have also blocked all the UVC.
How can you tell if "UV protective" glass and glass films are actually treated to block UVA rays. Is there an easy way to tell?
We keep seeing the terms ‘watts’ and ‘joules’ in descriptions of how much UV is required to disinfect something. What do these terms mean? Are they the same? Why are they important?
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A Watt is a measure of the rate of energy delivery (analogous to gallons-per-minute flow rate for water delivery). -
A Joule is a cumulative measure of the total amount of energy delivered (analogous to total gallons of water delivered).