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Ultraviolet - Research, Results And Facts

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Ultraviolet light (UV) with wavelength shorter than 300 nanometers is extremely effective in killing microorganisms. The most effective sterilizing range of UV is within the C bandwidth. This range - between 200nm and 280nm - is called germicidal UV bandwidth or UVC, artificially produced by UV lamps at 253.7nm wavelength.

IUVA Fact Sheet on COVID-19 - UV and COVID-19

Can UVC help prevent COVID-19 transmission by reducing contamination?
Based on existing evidence, we (IUVA) believe so. Here’s why:
 
UVC light has been used extensively for more than 40 years in disinfecting drinking water, waste water, air, pharmaceutical products, and surfaces against a whole suite of human pathogens (Fluence UV Dose Required review IUVA). All bacteria and viruses tested to date (many hundreds over the years, including other coronaviruses) respond to UV disinfection. Some organisms are more susceptible to UVC disinfection than others, but all tested so far do respond at the appropriate doses.
Read the complete UV and COVID-19 fact sheet.

ASHRAE Position Document on Airborne Infectious Diseases

UVC has extremely low penetrating ability and does not penetrate past the dead-cell layers of the skin. UV will cause eye irritations or burns after prolonged exposure.

The Application of Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation to Control Transmission of Airborne Disease: Bioterrorism Countermeasure

Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation - UVGI - is a common tool in laboratories and health care facilities and is becoming more and more popular with the general public and HVAC engineers. Interest in UVGI is increasing with the growing pandemic concerns and the opportunity to use germicidal UV for reducing energy and maintenance costs. Previous applications of UVGI have focused mainly on control of tuberculosis transmission, but a wide range of airborne respiratory pathogens are susceptible to deactivation by UVGI.

Public Health Reports published an article titled "The Application of Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation to Control Transmission of Airborne Disease: Bioterrorism Countermeasure". The article is in Volume 118, Issue Number 2, March/April 2003. In this article, the authors provide an overview of air disinfection technologies, and an in-depth analysis of UVGI, its history, applications, and effectiveness.
Read the complete article published here with permission from PHR:
The Application of Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation to Control Transmission of Airborne Disease

Germicidal UV has been used in water disinfection systems for many years. As stated by the American Water Works Association, "... UV light disinfection process does not use chemicals. Microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and algae, are inactivated within seconds of UV light disinfection... Ultraviolet is effective in inactivating Cryptosporidium, while at the same time decreasing chlorinated disinfection by-products... U.S. cities currently using or planning to use UV light water disinfection include Seattle, WA, New York City, Central Lake County, IL, Albany, NY, Tempe, AZ ..."

The UV topics below offer detailed information on the nature of ultraviolet light, science research, facts and conclusions for UV effectiveness. Most importantly, artificially produced UV light by germicidal UV lamps can be utilized to improve the indoor air quality and introduce a healthier environment to live, work or study.

The science behind the UV light

Indoor Air Quality and people's health

Indoor Air Pollution - air pollutants

Ultraviolet Lighting During Orthopedic Surgery and the Rate of Infection

UV Disinfection

UV Dosage - Ultraviolet sterilization dosage for mold, viruses, bacteria, protozoa and yeast

UV light references

UV Definitions UV Lamps - Artificial UV Production

UV Definitions UV Water Purification Applications

UV Definitions UV Definitions and UV Terminology

UV Definitions UV at a Glance


GE Presentation - UV

Ultraviolet UV Disinfection
The UV light disinfection process does not use chemicals.
Microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and algae, are inactivated within seconds of UV light disinfection, but all are not equally sensitive. Generally, viruses and algae are more resistant to disinfection by UV light.
UV light is effective in inactivating Cryptosporidium, while at the same time decreasing chlorinated disinfection by-products.
UV disinfection is used in air and water purification, sewage treatment, protection of food and beverages, and many other disinfection and sterilization processes.
One major advantage of UV light disinfection is that it is capable of disinfecting water faster than chlorine, and without the need for retention tanks
American Water Works Association - Ultraviolet Disinfection Handbook » 
Ultraviolet
 
UV Lamps
There are many types of lamps that artificially produce UV. There are UV lamps for tanning, blacklight stage lamps and lamps for mineral displays, lamps that produce Ozone and germicidal UV lamps. Germicidal UV lamps emit shortwave UV light in the ultraviolet section of the spectrum also known as UVC or germicidal UV... UV Lamps
Ultraviolet
 
 

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