UV-C

What is UV-C?

The sun is by far the strongest source of ultraviolet radiation in our environment. Solar emissions include visible light, heat and ultraviolet (UV) radiation. Just as visible light consists of different colours that become apparent in a rainbow, the UV radiation spectrum is divided into three regions called UVA, UVB and UVC. As sunlight passes through the atmosphere, all UVC and most UVB is absorbed by ozone, water vapour, oxygen and carbon dioxide. UVA is not filtered as significantly by the atmosphere1‘Ultraviolet (UV) radiation’ in World Health Organisation Newsroom, March 2016, viewed on 7 May 2020, https://www.who.int/news-room/q-a-detail/ultraviolet-(uv)-radiation. Artificial UV-C light sources have been around since the 19th century2P. Hockberger, ‘History of Ultraviolet Photobiology’, Northwestern University, Feinberg School of Medicine Department of Physiology, 2002, viewed on 7 May 2020, http://photobiology.info/Hockberger.html.

ultra-violet light

The breakdown of pathogen DNA structures

Artificial UV-C light sources have been proven to break down the DNA structure of many Pathogens. Whether it be 1Log (90% breakdown), 2Log (99% breakdown), 3Log (99.9% breakdown) or 4Log(99.99% breakdown), UV-C is an effective way to neutralise bacteria and virus.

bacteria

Human exposure to UV-C is dangerous

The ozone layer protects us from natural UV-C produced by the sun. Humans can only have limited or no contact with this source of light3D-H. Kwon, J-D. Moon, W-J. Park, W-Y. Kang, S-H. Kim, H-M. Lim, J-S. Ahn, H-J. Chae, ‘Case series of keratitis in poultry abattoir workers induced by exposure to the ultraviolet disinfection lamp’, in Ann Occup Environ Med, January 2016, viewed on 7 May 2020, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4714468/. That’s why our system includes multiple fail-safes to ensure all human contact is mitigated.

Surface disinfection

When exposed to a direct UV-C light source, non-porous materials can be disinfected. Knowing exposure time and where to place UV-C fittings are crucial when determining what bacteria and viruses can be neutralised. As direct exposure is necessary, extreme caution is necessary when a disinfection cycle is taking place. Gangi Germicidal Systems are safe.

Air disinfection

UV-C light sources can be placed within air ducts and HVAC systems to purify air4E. Stewart, K. Mead, R. Olmsted, J.Pantelic, L. Schoen, C. Sekhar, W. Vernon, Y. Li, Z.M. Sultan, W. Conlan, ‘ASHRAE position Document on Infection Aerosols’, April 2020, viewed on 10 June 2020, https://www.ashrae.org/file%20library/about/position%20documents/pd_infectiousaerosols_2020.pdf . As these light sources are contained within an enclosure, UV-C disinfection can take place whilst spaces are occupied. The added bonus? As it’s purifying air, it can stop biofilm building up inside of your HVAC system, therefore increasing efficiency and reducing maintenance.

UV-C can inactivate viruses similar to Covid-19

Since Covid-19 first surfaced, scientists all over the world have been working feverishly to find ways to combat it. Progress has been made but what we can definitively say is that studies have proven that UV-C can inactivate the similar SARs-CoV(1)5M.E.R. Darnell, K. Subbarao, S.M. Feinstone, D.R. Taylor, ‘Inactivation of the coronavirus that induces severe acute respiratory syndrome, SARS-CoV’, in J Virol Methods, vol. 121(1), October 2004, viewed on 12 May 2020, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7112912/.

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