Ultraviolet sterilization is a powerful disinfectant that has been around for decades. It has been shown to control the spread of tuberculosis, as well as other bacteria, when used in wall mounted UV wands for air purification.
The UV rays destroy microorganisms by damaging their DNA. It causes two adjacent thymine or cytosine bases to bond together instead of across the double helix, which disables cell replication and makes the organism unable to spread disease.
UV Light
In addition to being a non-toxic alternative to chemical disinfectants, UV light is able to kill bacteria and viruses regardless of their drug resistance. This ability makes it an ideal sanitizer for everyday products such as toothbrushes, kitchen tools and tablet computers. Violet Defense has incorporated UV technology into its patented product line to create easy-to-use, portable sterilizers. The team’s research and development was a multidisciplinary undertaking that required expertise in physics, optics, quantum physics, biology, chemistry, bio-medicine, electrical and computer engineering.
UV-C light fractures the molecular bonds in the viruses’ and bacteria’s DNA, thereby disrupting their ability to reproduce. While it hasn’t been directly tested against Covid-19, it’s a known virucide for other coronaviruses like Sars and the diarrheal parasite Cryptosporidium, as well as for some bacteria.
However, it’s important to note that UV-C sanitizers don’t work miracles – especially on objects with grooves, cracks or other surface imperfections. In addition, UVC only works when the germs are in direct contact with the light source – it can’t inactivate bacteria or viruses that are shielded by dust, dirt or other materials. As a result, it’s vital to follow the manufacturer’s instructions on light distance and exposure time for any UV-C product you use. For best results, purchase a sterilizer that uses the same wavelength, or “peak absorption,” as sunlight. This is usually around 265 nanometers.
Mercury Vapor
Mercury can be found in thermometers, thermostats, blood pressure units, barometers and gas pressure regulators. When mercury vapors spill, it is hard to clean up and can cause many health problems. Its odorless and colorless liquid form can cause eye, nose, mouth or chest irritation; tremors or headache; respiratory issues; high blood pressure; shivering; and it may also damage the kidneys and brain.
Spilled mercury vapors can be especially dangerous for unborn babies, children and nursing mothers. Breathing large amounts of the substance can lead to irritability, tremors, memory loss and mood changes. It can also increase the risk of heart disease in young children. In addition, vapors can cause acrodynia in adults, a condition that causes tingling in the fingers and toes.
The present invention relates to an apparatus for sterilizing objects with ultraviolet light. The apparatus consists of a light guide having optical fibers and an ultraviolet lamp. The light guide has a receiving end surface and an exit end surface. The ultraviolet radiation emitted by the ultraviolet lamp is concentrated at the receiving end surface of the light guide. The ultraviolet radiation is then reflected by the mirror at the exit end surface of the light guide and directed on the object to be sterilized.
The UV-C radiation emitted by the light source has absorption peaks at 254 nm and 254 nm. These wavelengths can destroy DNA and proteins in bacteria. Unlike chemical or thermal sterilization, this method of sterilization does not pollute the environment during or after sterilization. The device can be used to sterilize medical and industrial instruments. Air samples can be collected for mercury contamination during initial characterization, confirmation and cleanup. The samples can be analyzed for the presence of vapor and particulate mercury.
Safety
The UV radiation emitted by the UV sterilizer pierces disease-causing organisms’ DNA and kills them, preventing them from being able to function or reproduce. These rays are similar to sunlight in tiny proportions, but generated much more powerfully by electric discharges in special lamps called UV generators. The process is quick, chemical-free and safe. It works instantly once it comes into contact with a microorganism and does not require any time for activation or dilution.
This type of air and surface disinfection is often used to keep food fresh longer, as well as in the manufacture of beverages. It is also effective for killing bacteria in water, and is especially useful against pathogens that chlorination cannot kill, such as E coli. In addition, it is ideal for sanitizing frequently touched surfaces such as elevator pads and ATM keypads.
However, UV-C radiation can cause sunburn and increase the risk of certain cancers in humans. It is therefore important to use these systems with care and proper safety precautions. These include a specialized light indicator for monitoring, as well as appropriate safety measures such as wearing protective eyewear.
It is a good idea to place the UV-C disinfection system in a room that can be easily accessed by maintenance workers, as they may need to access the lamp or its housing. If a programmable switch is used, the UV-C fixture should be programmed to turn off at the end of a shift.
Cost
Unlike chlorine disinfection systems, UV light sterilization is an entirely chemical-free system. This eliminates the need to purchase and store chemicals as well as reduces operational expenses. The UVC rays duplicated by UVC lamps penetrate deep into the pathogens’ nucleic acids and disrupt the DNA, making it impossible for them to reproduce or infect.
Additionally, UV light penetrates water and other liquids much faster than chemical disinfectants. As a result, UVGI can take as little as minutes to treat a given volume of contaminated water, whereas it might take chlorine up to 30 minutes.
Many hospitals are utilizing UV-C sterilization devices to disinfect frequently touched surfaces and circulating air. This includes sanitizing tunnels that shine UV-C on patient rooms and operating theaters between patients, UV air purification devices, and even hand dryers with built-in UV sterilization capabilities.
A recent study found that the use of UV-C sterilization significantly reduced the number of hospital-acquired infections (HAI) caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria. This included Acinetobacter baumannii, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus. These findings were supported by a cost-benefit analysis that showed a significant reduction in the number of HAIs per 1,000 patients over a 12-month period with an estimated savings of more than $1.21 million. The results also indicate that a properly set dose of UV radiation can be used to minimize electrical power usage and shorten the interval between lamp replacements.