Quote:
Originally Posted by APovi
A recent post included "N95 Masks are now being sterilized by UV light, and are being reused".
((PLEASE - No Rants!)
I'm just asking for informed information !
Q-Is RV light safe for human exposure?
Q-If it 'sanitizes' fabrics will it sanitize all other materials - paper? plastic? wood? metal? etc.
Q-If true, why are we washing with soap and water (when available), when portable RV lights plugged in everywhere (Home, shops, stores, hospitals etc) would be much more effective?
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UV light is sort of safe for human exposure. You are exposed to it every day when you are outside. However, ideally, you wear sunblock to keep it from harming you. Ever noticed that people around The Villages with deep tans may have very wrinkled skin on their faces, but the skin where the sun seldom or never shines is smooth and youthful? That’s because UV destroys your skin. It also leads to skin cancers. However, the level of UV used for rapid disinfection or sterilization will also cause rapid skin burning or even cataracts or burning of the corneas.
Sunlight has UV light in it and will kill the Coronavirus quite quickly. An exposed virus in sun will die much faster than one in a glob of phlegm.
UV light definitely will sanitize hard surfaces, paper, plastic, etc., though it will cause the decay of many plastics and rubbers because it breaks down the molecules that give them their physical properties. It will make fabrics and artwork fade and paper turn brown. In some germ warfare labs, workers have to go through a “shower” of high intensity UV light as part of their daily entrance and exit procedures.
UV systems are often used to disinfect drinking water without using chlorine, or to break apart chlorine molecules. It’s also used to disinfect sewage water. However, the UV lights have to be carefully sized so the water or air gets the right amount of exposure.
Maybe these little hand-held UV lights will sterilize things and maybe not. Maybe some do and some don’t. I don’t know how well they are tested. And they may work from 1/4” away and not from 4” away. Will you be testing with swabs and Petri dish incubation and all to see? UV lights in store and restaurants might be used to kill organisms, but they would be very bright, and not entirely safe. Imagine sitting for an hour in a restaurant and coming out with a sunburn!
Theoretically, the right UV light can disinfect used N95 face masks so they can be used. Better to use new ones.
From Wikipedia:
“ For human beings, skin exposure to germicidal wavelengths of UV light can produce rapid sunburn and skin cancer.[14] Exposure of the eyes to this UV radiation can produce extremely painful inflammation of the cornea and temporary or permanent vision impairment, up to and including blindness in some cases. UV can damage the retina of the eye.[14]
Another potential danger is the UV production of ozone, which can be harmful to one's health. The US Environmental Protection Agency designated 0.05 parts per million (ppm) of ozone to be a safe level. Lamps designed to release UVC and higher frequencies are doped so that any UV light below 254 nm wavelengths will not be released, to minimize ozone production. A full-spectrum lamp will release all UV wavelengths, and will produce ozone when UVC hits oxygen (O2) molecules.
UV-C radiation is able to break down chemical bonds. This leads to rapid aging of plastics, insulation, gaskets, and other materials. Note that plastics sold to be "UV-resistant" are tested only for UV-B, as UV-C doesn't normally reach the surface of the Earth. When UV is used near plastic, rubber, or insulation, care should be taken to shield these items; metal tape or aluminum foil will suffice.”