UVC light is about to become our most essential resource in the battle against viruses. Imagine if people didn’t have to endure the struggle of finding and rationing sanitizing products to keep their families safe. Imagine if we didn’t have to douse our homes with chemicals or fill landfills with disinfecting wipes for the sake of human wellness. And imagine if you didn’t have to stash every new package in the garage for a few days just to be safe.
The truth is, UVC light provides a simple solution to all of these challenges. This method of disinfection kills 99.9% of viruses and bacteria. But while the technology is not new, it remains unfamiliar for most of the general public.
If ever there was a time to make UVC more accessible, it’s now. Here’s everything you need to know about using UVC light for home disinfection.
How is UVC Light Different From UVA and UVB?
First, the basics.
Ultraviolet (UV) light sits far to the left end of the light spectrum, just beyond deep blue. This section of the spectrum breaks UV radiation down into three wavelengths: UVA, UVB, and UVC.
We need a chart here:
UVA Light (315 – 400 nm)
UVA has the longest wavelength of the three and represents 95% of the UV rays that actually reach us on Earth. Plants use UVA light. Humans, on the other hand, guard themselves against UVA rays.
This wavelength can penetrate deep to the skin’s second layer. UVA causes aging and wrinkling in the skin. It may also contribute to the development of skin cancer.
UVB Light (280 – 315 nm)
UVB radiation damages the top layer of skin. This middle wavelength is the primary culprit when it comes to sunburns, eye damage, and skin cancer. Fortunately, most UVB is filtered by the atmosphere.
This damaging wavelength also sparks a biological response in plants. Certain species produce resin to serve as a sort of plant sunscreen. In fact, many growers use UVB light to create this sometimes-desirable effect in their crops.
UVC Light (200 – 280 nm)
The shortest of the three wavelengths, UVC light is completely filtered by the ozone layer. And for good reason.
While UVC radiation does not normally penetrate the atmosphere, it does have another extreme function that makes it an effective sanitizing tool:
UVC light destroys the DNA of living cells…
…which means UVC light destroys viruses.
How Does UVC Radiation Kill Viruses and Bacteria?
When a living cell is exposed to UVC light, the organism’s DNA, RNA, and proteins absorb the radiation. This inactivates the DNA and causes the cell walls to rupture.
Viruses and bacteria are based on DNA. This means UVC light effectively inactivates these pathogens. Simply put: UVC kills germs.
Now, this is not new or experimental science. Many industries have been using UVC light for large-scale sanitization for years. Hospitals use UVC to sterilize medical equipment. Casinos use it to eliminate airborne bacteria and viruses from the air in their crowded facilities. Even backpackers use UVC light to purify river water so they can safely consume it.
Now that there’s a greater-than-ever need for effective disinfection methods, how do we make UVC light available for households?
This is the question we at California LightWorks have been working hard to address.
Is UVC Light Safe to Use at Home?
Our team has been working with UVC radiation for a while. The original goal was to learn how we could harness the power of this wavelength to battle the mildew and mold that attack plants.
Now that human beings are the ones facing a threat, we’ve expanded our focus to develop a handheld device that kills pathogens in the home.
The result is the new SaniPure UVC Light.
This lamp is light enough to hold in one hand, but powerful enough to kill bacteria and viruses within seconds. It is perfectly safe for use at home and in the office; just don’t point it at anyone’s skin or eyes. As an added precaution, the SaniPure comes with protective gloves and glasses.
How Does the SaniPure UVC Light Work?
Our UVC light is incredibly easy to use. Just plug it in and slowly scan the light across the surface you wish to sanitize. The surface is disinfected in a matter of seconds.
The SaniPure is best used on solid surfaces with no shadowing. It works on just about every material from granite countertops to cardboard and plastic packaging. Unlike liquid chemical products, you use UVC light to safely disinfect electronics including keyboards, touchscreens, and phones.
The SaniPure also allows you to reach those tricky nooks and crannies in toys, keys, and television remotes.
And perhaps one of the greatest benefits of using UVC light to kill viruses is the fact that this is not a consumable product. You don’t have to worry about waste, restocking, or price gouging.
This may be new territory for you. Please know that we’re always here to help. We know you’re under a lot of pressure to maintain a safe and healthy home, and we’re eager to provide any clarity we can. If you’d like to learn more about UV disinfection or our SaniPure light, please don’t hesitate to reach out.
