UV light control is an important part of maintaining a clean and safe facility. UV lights have many uses, including destroying germs in air and water. They are also useful in highlighting fluorescent marks and other materials that cannot be seen with the naked eye. For example, a UV light is used in forensics to detect carbon residue after fire, defects in artwork and fingerprints at crime scenes. It is also used to sterilize equipment in hospitals. In addition, UV lights can be used in your heating and cooling system to sterilize the air much more than a simple filter can.
UV radiation has enough energy to break down the chemical bonds between atoms and electrons, which destroys bacteria, viruses and other harmful microorganisms. The shorter wavelengths of UVC are the most effective for sterilization. It takes less than five minutes for UVC lamps to significantly reduce the level of airborne pathogens in a room-sized chamber, according to a study by scientists at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons in New York and universities in Dundee, Leeds and St. Andrews in Scotland. The results are published in Scientific Reports.
The effectiveness of UV radiation Calgary Custom Window Coverings depends on the type and concentration of microorganisms, lamp intensity, and the distance from the source. The longer wavelengths of UVa and UVb are not germicidal and have significant drop-offs in efficacy as the distance from the source increases. Only the shortwave UVC of 265 nm and lower has the same germicidal effect on bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms.
When used in a controlled, isolated environment, the use of UV radiation for curing, bonding and coating can be effective, but care must be taken to protect workers’ eyes and skin from direct exposure. In addition, some UV devices produce ozone in appreciable quantities, and the use of these systems should be limited to areas where access is restricted to trained maintenance staff or others who have been properly oriented and screened.
Using UV lighting to disinfect surfaces and water can improve the cleanliness of occupied spaces by complementing other infection control tactics, such as increased cleaning protocols, says ams OSRAM, which offers LED solutions for smart UV-C sanitization. The products incorporate sensors such as presence, tamper/misalignment and spectral detection to provide automated and proactive maintenance for optimal performance of the fixtures.
Unlike other approaches to reducing airborne virus levels, far-UVC lamps are effective in rooms where people actually live and work. They also do not need to be kept in a separate isolation space and can be safely integrated into existing air-conditioning systems. Combined with other infection control strategies, it can significantly improve the ability to manage a flu pandemic in occupied buildings by decreasing virus levels and limiting person-to-person transmission. In order to prevent the spread of influenza and other infectious diseases, it is critical that we have robust strategies for addressing these issues.
