Categories: Technology

How Effective Is UV-C Disinfection

Everybody is racing to ensure that their homes and workplaces are clear of COVID-19. However, old disinfecting methods may not be effective anymore, especially that we are dealing with a pandemic. Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation, on the other hand, has proven to be extremely effective in killing viruses and bacteria in addition to eliminating mold and other contaminants that live on different surfaces.

UV-C light is now commercially available for households. Still, a question remains: Is it really effective or just a hoax that has become popular due to the general state of unrest plaguing the world? This is what you will find out by the end of this article. So, keep on reading to know more.

IMAGE: UNSPLASH

How Does UV-C Disinfection Work?

To understand how this method of disinfection actually works, you have to learn more about the different types of UV wavelengths. Based on its wavelength, UV light is categorized into three groups: UV-A (315-400 nm), UV-B (280-315 nm), and UV-C (100-280 nm).

Generally speaking, the shorter the wavelength, the more effective the light is at getting rid of viruses and bacteria. This is why UV-C light, in particular, is used for disinfecting purposes. Still, how exactly does UV-C destroy pathogens?

Well, it penetrates the outer layer of microorganisms, destroying their nucleic acids that carry their genetic information. Without these acids, microorganisms are not able to replicate or infect anyone. Thus, UV-C limits the spread of most viruses and bacteria, which makes it one of the best disinfecting tools in our arsenal.

Can It Kill Coronavirus?

Perhaps the most burning question people have when it comes to UV-C disinfection is whether it is effective at killing COVID-19. Fortunately, we have plenty of data to rely on when answering this question. Scientists and doctors have reported favorable results when exposing the virus to UV-C rays.

After just 10 minutes of the exposure, it has been found that the virus is not able to replicate anymore. For this reason, stores, airports, and governmental institutions now use UV light to combat the spread of coronavirus. The folks at Healthy Sole also point out that UV-C disinfection tools come in all shapes and sizes to help people sanitize all types of surfaces, including shoes.

Since it has been proven that coronavirus can stick to shoe soles and live on them for at least 24 hours, investing in UV-C tools for disinfecting footwear is now recommended, especially for families that have toddlers who still crawl and might be more susceptible to contracting the virus.

How Well Does It Perform Compared To Other Disinfectants?

Using UV-C light in households is still a novelty, as most families depend on traditional disinfectants like chlorine to do the job. However, chlorine is often associated with awful side effects, such as chlorine poisoning that leads to vomiting, sore throat, and a myriad of other nasty symptoms. Due to these side effects, people are now looking for safer, more effective disinfecting methods.

When compared to traditional disinfectants, UV-C light is the clear winner. In terms of its effectiveness at cleaning drinking water, UV-C rays are better able at eliminating parasites that are immune to chlorine like Cryptosporidium and Giardia. For this reason, this disinfecting method is widely favored over other traditional approaches.

The Pros Of UV-C Disinfection

Why is UV-C really the future of sanitization? Well, using UV rays for cleaning surfaces has many great advantages. Here is a breakdown of these pros:

It Doesn’t Leave a Residue: Maybe the most dangerous side effect of standard disinfectants is that they leave a toxic residue behind, so you cannot be 100% sure that your pets and kids will not accidentally get poisoned by touching, smelling, or even ingesting it. On the contrary, UV-C light does not leave any residue, which makes it markedly safer. Also, it does not cause pollution as harsh chemicals do.
It Doesn’t Cost Much: As opposed to what many people may believe, UV-C disinfection is not costly at all. Because UV-C disinfecting units have a long lifespan, you will not have to waste a lot of money on maintenance or replacements.
It Comes in Many Shapes: UV-C units are extremely convenient since they come in many shapes. Whether you are looking for a portable or a fixed unit, you surely will find what you need.

After this thorough explanation of the advantages of UV-C disinfection and how it works, it is time for us to give you our final verdict. So, is this sanitization method worth the hype? Absolutely! Because it is safer and more effective than chemicals, it remains the best choice for people who are worried about keeping their households free of pathogens. UV-C disinfection units are not also expensive, so definitely give them a try.

If you are interested in even more technology-related articles and information from us here at Bit Rebels, then we have a lot to choose from.