Blinded by the light?

UV-C is a powerful antimicrobial. Just a couple of minutes exposure can render all manner of bacteria, viruses, moulds and spores inactive.

This awesome power must be safely controlled. Exposure to UV-C radiation is not only damaging to microorganisms but is injurious to human health.

Direct exposure to UV-C can damage the eyes and cause burning to the skin, even increasing the chance of corneal damage and skin cancers.

"The clear part of the surface of the eye happens to be very susceptible to the wavelength of the light from these [UV-C] lamps," said Dr. Jesse Sengillo, an ophthalmologist at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute of the University of Miami Health System.

New work has suggested that UV-C rays are indeed capable of doing damage to DNA and they could increase the risk of deadly skin cancer. The findings, which directly link UV-C rays and cancer-causing DNA mutations, have been published in Cell Reports. 

When choosing UV-C products always insist on devices that have been tested and certified to IEC 62471, the international standard for photobiological safety.

This rigorous testing ensures that no harmful UV-C radiation escapes the confines of the device, and that accidental exposure is impossible.

Uvisan UV-C cabinets are all tested and certified to IEC 62471, assuring complete safety from exposure to the UV-C radiation to the user, meaning the lethal power is directed only at the microorganisms on the surface of the devices you choose to disinfect.

So, what to avoid, what should you look out for?

• the product is not certified to IEC 62471;

• there are vents in the walls or doors of the product that allow UV-C radiation to escape, if you can see in through a gap, UV-C can get out;

• the UV-C source does not automatically shut down if the door is opened, or the product can be operated with the door open; and

• the UV-C source generates ozone (see link about the dangers of ozone).

Any one of the above failings may mean exposure to harmful UV-C radiation for you or your staff, or in the last example, to lung damaging ozone.

With Uvisan you can be sure the only things our cabinets harm are the bugs on your headsets and shared devices.