UVC Light and Coronavirus

UVC Light and Coronavirus

Is UVC Light the Answer to the COVID-19 Crisis?

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, and still many months away from a vaccine, we need to start looking at ways to get back to some type of normality. This return to work, school and socialising needs to be done safely. This will mean preventative measures and a lot of precautions to halt the spread of COVID-19. One highly promising technology being used to kill the virus in classrooms, buildings, vehicles and other enclosed spaces is UVC Light. But what is UVC light and does UVC light kill coronavirus?

What Is UVC Light?

UVC Light in hospital
UVC light disinfecting a hospital ward

UVC Light is a form of ultraviolet light, on the UV spectrum, that will kill bacteria that is exposed to it. Just as there is UVA, and UVB light – which people will be familiar with if they’ve ever used sun protection – UVC is on the same spectrum, only with a different wavelength. This short-wave UV light includes germicidal ultraviolet, which is used for air, surface and water disinfection.

It works by entering into the virus’ cell nucleus and altering its DNA and RNA. By doing this, the cell is no longer able to multiply or survive, killing the virus and disinfecting surfaces. This method has been used for decades to disinfect instruments and hospital rooms, and is going to be crucial in the fight against COVID-19.

Supermarket UVC Light
UVC light being used to disinfect shopping trolleys

Is UVC Light Safe for Humans?

With UVC light’s effectiveness at killing bacteria and viruses, many people will be concerned about whether UVC light is safe for humans. As you may expect from something that can kill viruses and bacteria, it is not safe for humans.

This means that all uses of UVC light must take place inside enclosed spaces that have been adapted to protect humans. If UVC light comes into contact with human skin, it will burn and cause serious skin damage. This is why disinfection of offices, hospital wards, buses etc all take place overnight, when no one is around.

Can UVC Light Kill COVID19?

UVC Light disinfecting bus China
Bus being disinfected by UVC light in China

While COVID-19 is a new type of coronavirus which hasn’t been seen before, it is still susceptible to UVC Light and can be disinfected using UVC light. Chinese officials have been using UVC light in many different settings in order to kill the coronavirus.

In Wuhan, hospitals are using UVC light to disinfect wards, and the technology is also being used to disinfect medical staff’s clothing and instruments. Chinese banks use the lights to disinfect cash, Chinese bus companies are using them to disinfect their vehicles. The potential uses for UVC in the fight against COVID-19 are endless.

Supermarkets can use them to disinfect trolleys. Schools can use the lights to disinfect classrooms. Offices can be disinfected overnight to ensure staff are returning to a safe working environment every day.

UVC Light Scotland

UVC Light can be used to kill Coronavirus and is capable of killing the virus on surfaces and in the air.

To discuss the potential uses of UVC lights for your business, whether it’s for an office, in vehicles, for supermarkets, restaurants or any industry where you’ll need to disinfect items or areas: get in touch.

Odour and Dust Solutions provides UVC Lights and want to help the UK economy get back to work. To do this, it needs to be safe for the workforce. UVC light is the answer.

Contact us to learn more about using UVC Lights for your business

01560 480822

[email protected]