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How do UVC rays work?

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Ultraviolet rays are electromagnetic waves which form part of light. Electromagnetic waves are divided into three main wavelength bands, expressed in nanometres (nm):

• UV-A has tanning properties;
• UV-B has therapeutic and vitamin “D” synthesizing properties;
• UV-C has germicidal properties.

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UV-C rays (100-280 nm) have a strong germicidal effect and reach their maximum efficacy at the 265 nm wavelength. The germicidal effect of UV-C radiation covers bacteria, viruses, spores, fungi, moulds and mites; this is mainly due to the destructive effect of the UV-C rays on their DNA, which damage their reproductive system and prevent them from replicating. Check out our blog post for more information about the different types of UV light.

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These lamps have an emission of around 90% over the 253.7 nm wavelength. This frequency is invisible to the human eye and has a strong germicidal power. The remaining 10% of the lamp’s emission is visible (typically appearing as a blueish light).

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Yes, UV-C rays are found in nature as they are generated by the sun, but the ozone layer in the atmosphere acts as a shield which stops them from reaching the earth’s surface.

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Bacteria, viruses, spores, fungi, moulds and mites are all sensitive to UV-C rays and can be eliminated by them.

Microbes cannot acquire resistance to UV-C rays, which only occurs using chemical disinfectants and antibiotics.

UV rays are eco-friendly. When using normal disinfectants, environmental pollution is inevitable. They also carry severe risks from the direct inhalation of vapors or the ingestion of foods contaminated after coming into direct contact with chemical disinfectants.

Where the use of chemical disinfectants is unavoidable (food/pharmaceutical/healthcare industries, etc.), using ultraviolet rays in the disinfection process can reduce the amount needed, which allows for significant cost savings and is better for the environment, while maintaining – and, most of the time, improving – disinfection quality.

UV-C ray devices can be installed in most environments and machinery and can be programmed to maintain the same level of disinfection day and night, ensuring ideal conditions of hygiene without any fluctuation in quality. In contrast, chemical disinfectants are most effective at the time of use.

UV-C-equipped devices offer low running costs and are maintenance-free, besides normal bulb replacement. These powerful and highly durable systems provide exceptional value for money. For this reason, eliminating germs using UV-C as opposed to (or together with) other systems offers excellent results at a low cost.

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UV-C rays really work. The difference between an ineffective application and a quality project lies in our in-depth knowledge and long-term experience in the area. UV-C projects have been successfully completed all over the world and are used on a daily basis for disinfection. 

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Multiple organizations and boards with a global reach, such as WHO, EPA, CDC, ASHRAE and many others, recommend using UV-C rays to disinfect water, environments and air-conditioning systems. Heating Green only sources UV-C products from members of the IUVA (International Ultraviolet Association), a global organization that collects and gives users access to all available information and which organizes various international meetings each year. Having collected all this information, the IUVA has also published a document which lays the foundations for designing different UVGI (Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation) systems and applications.

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UV-C rays are used every day, primarily in:

Food and pharmaceutical industries, for disinfecting air and surfaces in production spaces, disinfecting product containers (packaging), isolating “protected” areas for product manufacturing and packaging (such as clean rooms), and areas at risk of contamination. These procedures significantly increase the safety and conservation of the products we purchase and provide multiple health benefits since they leave no residue and help reduce or even eliminate the need for chemical disinfectants, which can leave harmful residues on products.

Hospitals, for preventing the transmission, and therefore contagion, of dangerous bacteria or viruses that may be found in the air or carried following contact with infected persons or visitors, such as TBC and Legionella.

Air conditioning systems, for preventing the problematic and harmful build-up of mould and bacteria in air treatment systems or ducts, which can cause Building Related Illnesses (BRI), extrinsic allergic alveolitis, viral, fungal and Rickettsial infections, bronchial asthma, humidifier fever, Pontiac fever and Legionnaire’s disease, asthma and Sick Building Syndrome. Many armies use UV-C systems to prevent biological attacks such as the dispersal of anthrax in pipelines.

Systems for treating water intended for human and animal consumption and for sanitary use, to eliminate any microorganisms that may be found in water deriving from wells, cisterns and aqueducts. The system must be installed after an active carbon filter, such as in water distributors, which are becoming increasingly common in cities.

There are no limits to the possible applications of UV-C rays. Even in domestic environments, they are used to prevent build-up of mould on walls, eliminate mites from bedrooms, keep room air healthy and treat water.

UV-C rays are even able to eliminate odors and fatty deposits in industrial kitchens and in the restaurant industry in general, in conjunction with the emission of ozone. 

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Bacteria, viruses, spores, fungi, moulds and mites are all sensitive to and eliminated by UV-C radiation.

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Each bacterium, virus, yeast, mould or mite requires a different UV-C dose to be deactivated or eliminated.
There are widely recognized research which report these levels and we use this research to design our systems.

To give an approximate idea regarding the application times of UV-C rays, these can range from fractions of a second to several seconds.

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Viruses, bacteria and mould, animal waste, mites and pollens are among the main causes of dangerous infections and allergies.
Each of these contaminants is dispersed in a different way: mites, spores, bacteria and mould, for example, are continuously transported by air, while other bacteria and viruses are “grouped” into solid particles, such as spores or drops of moisture, and then inhaled by humans.

In air conditioning systems, when contaminants get inside the air treatment unit (ATU) and air distribution ducts, the system, which is dark and moist, becomes a breeding ground for them to grow and multiply, making the air we breathe unsafe.

The air also contains concentrations of chemical pollutants which are dangerous if inhaled in large quantities or on a continuous basis.
Irradiating air in a central system or installing an air purifier complete with UV-C lamps and a TiOx titanium dioxide filter greatly reduces the likelihood that these pollutants (whether microbiological or physicochemical) will result in health problems that often can only be diagnosed after many years.

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The legal microbiological limits for drinking water contained in Legislative Decree 31/2011 are very strict.
Methods for eliminating microorganisms from water may be chemical (chlorination) or physical (UV-C rays, heat).
In the first case, ingested water may contain harmful, chlorine-derived waste substances such as chloramines, which alter the smell and taste of the water, or other undesired by-products that are harmful to human health and to the environment such as volatile organic substances, including trihalomethanes, which are highly carcinogenic.

Heating (boiling water before use) could be helpful in preventing the above problems, but it is certainly not practical, besides creating handling problems, requiring long-term cooling.
A UV-C ray system installed close to the point of use a on water line safely removes all microorganisms, irradiating them at a dose far higher than the minimum safe dose – making it very effective – without leaving a residue. The purchase and maintenance costs of the system and its replacement parts (bulbs) are extremely low. UV-C rays also reduce the amount of chlorine and any derivatives (aqueduct) into minuscule particles that are harmless to health.

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When a UV-C light is turned on, the number of microbes in the air and on all surfaces reached by the UV rays is reduced significantly. For example, in just a few minutes the bacteria Bacillus, Coli, Clostridium, Legionella, Vibrio, Salmonella, Listeria, Pseudomonas, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, etc. can be reduced by 99% at a distance of 3 m from the device.

This enables the system to reach areas that would otherwise be unreachable with solid objects such as cleaning products and disinfectants, like hidden areas in flooring and furniture.
Where chemical disinfectants must be used, irradiating the surfaces prevents black-out areas, does not generate resistant species and can be used both day and night (without human presence), avoiding rapid re-contamination of surfaces and keeping them constantly in optimal microbiological conditions.

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The efficacy of disinfection systems can easily be tested through microbiological analysis, or simply using buffers to check for the presence of microorganisms on the surfaces being tested. However, accurately verifying the quantity of microbial load found on a surface, in air or in water before and after treatment requires laboratory tests, such as HACCP.

In the case of chemical disinfectants, manufacturers indicate preventive tests under their disinfecting capacity; Light Progress has also carried out important tests at university and accredited Sinal (Accredia) laboratories. Of course, for both chemical disinfectants and UVGI technology, in order to obtain the same results as the laboratory, the product must be used according to the descriptions given in its instructions for use.

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UV-C rays cannot penetrate solid bodies, unlike ionizing radiation such as x-rays and gamma rays, both of which are highly dangerous to humans, even at low doses. To eliminate microorganisms using UV-C rays, they must be present on the surface of an object or transported by the air.

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Very few materials will not block the passage of the germicidal wavelength (253.7 nm, invisible), including quartz and certain plastics such as PE or tetrafluoro-derivatives, but only if these are just a few microbes thick.

Regular window glass, polycarbonate and other transparent materials through which it is possible to see the bluish light of UV-C lights completely nullify their germicidal effect, acting as a screen.

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Continuous irradiation of the eyes and skin could cause erythema and conjunctivitis, which normally clear up in a few hours. In any case, it is sensible to avoid direct, close-up exposure to sources of UV-C rays even for short periods of time. To avoid direct exposure simply cover the area to be protected using any material that is not transparent to visible light (cotton or woollen clothing or overalls) or using glass or transparent plastics (masks, helmets, glasses, etc.).

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UV-C rays are similar to solar rays, but do not transmit heat. However, like solar rays, they tend have a yellowing effect on plastics that are exposed for long periods of time (especially white plastics).

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UV-C light has been around for longer than you may think. UV-C was first used for disinfecting in 1910 in a water filtration plant in Marseille, France. Since then, we have used UV-C light in doctors offices, nail salons, and most recently, the New York subway during the 2020 COVID-19 Pandemic.

 

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