WHAT IS UV LIGHT?
Ultraviolet (UV) light is a type of electromagnetic radiation in the form of light, invisible to the human eye, that exists on the electromagnetic spectrum between X-rays and visible light. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation can be classified into three types that are based on wavelength: UVA, UVB and UVC light. Nearly all the UV radiation that reaches our planet is UVA, as most of UVB and all of UVC light is absorbed by the earth’s protecting ozone layer, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Ultraviolet light is what makes scorpions and black-light posters glow in the dark and is responsible for summer tans and sunburns. Too much exposure to UV light, however, is damaging to living tissue and this is where UV-C light plays a role in inactivating microorganisms such as bacteria, mold, and viruses.
It is UVC light, that has the shortest wavelength and the highest energy, that can act as a disinfectant and hence the term “Germicidal UV Lamp”
With seismic changes to our lives since the beginning of the COVID19 pandemic many experts have called todays reality the new normal. In these new, and not so normal times people frequently ask “Can UV lighting effectively inactivate the virus responsible for COVID-19?”
According to the FDA “UVC radiation has been shown to destroy the outer protein coating of the SARS-Coronavirus, which is a different virus from the current SARS-CoV-2 virus. The destruction ultimately leads to inactivation of the virus. Far-UVC light (222 nm) efficiently and safely inactivates airborne human coronaviruses. UVC radiation may also be effective in inactivating the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which is the virus that causes the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19).” Our portable SaniLED sanitizer has been tested by the SGS Laboratory and proven to inactivate the SARS-CoV-2 virus in 1-5 seconds when directly exposed.
IS EVERY UVC LIGHT THE SAME?
It takes the right kind of UV light in the right dosage to stop pathogens in its tracks. Many UV-light devices being sold today claim to kill SARS-CoV-2 are not safe to use as they lack the power or take too long to be effective and usable. Another danger with these unproven lights is that they give people a false sense of safety where in fact most UVC lamps sold today are merely just “flashlights” that lack the power and the right wavelength. Many of these lights claiming to inactivate viruses are not even tested by recognized laboratories and do not come with a certificate. Our SaniLED portable UVC light has been tested and certified by SGS Laboratory which is the world’s foremost authority on pathogen testing. We believe that safety has no alternative.
WHY IS 275nm UVC WAVELEGTH BETTER THAN OTHER WAVELEGTHS?
The 275nm UVC wavelength has been proven to be the most effective at inactivating and breaking down chemical bonds inside a microorganism and damages the structure of the DNA, RNA that causes microorganisms to be unable to multiply. The UVC spectrum ranges from 200nm to 280nm and the lower end of the spectrum is called far UVC light which is less intense and takes longer to sterilize. The most effective range is between 254nm and 275nm where 275nm is preferable for hand-held devices because of the higher intensity and shorter times that is needed to disinfect. 254nm lamps are a great choice for whole room sterilizers such as our whole room sterilization unit.
WHY IS SANILED BETTER THAN OTHER UVC LIGHTS ON THE MARKET?
The SaniLED UVC irradiation light is superior to other UVC lights due to several factors. First, SaniLED utilizes advanced UVC LED’s that have no toxic materials in them such as mercury thus making them environmentally friendly. LED’s in general have a longer lifespan than conventional light sources and make them better suited for this application. Second, the 275nm UVC wavelength has been proven to be the most effective at inactivating and breaking down chemical bonds inside a microorganism and damages the structure of the DNA, RNA that causes microorganisms to be unable to multiply. SaniLED has been tested by the SGS Laboratory and is the only product on the market that is able to break down chemical bonds inside a microorganism and kill bacteria and viruses in only one to five seconds. Other products that are being currently sold are ineffective as they need more than 30 seconds to disinfect and, in some cases, even longer.
HOW DOES UVC LIGHT STERILIZE SOMETHING?
UVC sterilization also known as UVC disinfection or ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) works by breaking down chemical bonds inside a microorganism and damages the structure of the DNA, RNA and proteins, causing a microorganism to be unable to multiply. When a microorganism is unable to multiply, it is considered dead since it cannot reproduce within a host and is no longer infectious. Our UVC lights can completely inactivate the DNA, RNA of any microorganism in seconds of exposure due to their wavelength and power that the LED’s emit. This quality makes UVC energy a very effective and environmentallyfriendly way to prevent microorganisms from replicating in any environment. Just hold the SaniLED at one inch above the surface you are wanting to sanitize for five seconds. It is that simple and chemical-free. No messy and time-consuming liquid disinfectants.
