UVA, B, and C
UVA, UVB, and UVC lighting
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With fear and concern permeating the business
world, you need the very best and most
knowledgeable professionals to analyze and manage
your lighting needs to most effectively reduce or
mitigate risks associated with Covid-19 or any
other virus that might infect your environment,
staff, or employees.
As mentioned, there are three distinct types of
UV light. In their natural forms, they shine down
on us from the sun. Mankind has also created
artificial sources of UV radiation, such as
certain types of lighting, lasers, tanning beds,
and most recently, sanitizing tools. Each type of
UV light has a unique set of characteristics. All
of them can have a negative impact.
UV-A Radiation UV-A light filters through the atmosphere much more readily than the other types. In fact, 95 percent of the ultraviolet light that reaches the surface of the Earth is UV-A. This form of radiation has the longest wavelengths of the three at 315 to 400 nanometers, or 315 to 400 billionths of a meter. Because of its extensive wavelength, it penetrates deeper into our skin than the others. Though UV-A reaches further into the skin than other types of ultraviolet light, it’s not as strong or hazardous as its counterparts. This type of radiation is used in a number of helpful ways. It’s the type known for helping paint and other finishes cure more quickly. UV-A light is also used for quality control in a process called NDT, or non-destructive testing. This entails exposing products and materials to UV-A radiation to find defects that would be invisible to the naked eye. NDT using UV radiation allows quality control specialists to pinpoint tiny cracks, welding errors, weak spots, and other problems without damaging the item being tested. This is the type of ultraviolet light that’s absorbed by glow-in-the-dark pigments as well. They soak in UV-A light and retain it for a short time. Though we can’t see the light itself, its chemical reaction with these substances produces a different type of light that’s clearly visible with the human eye. Black lights likewise utilize UV-A radiation. UV-B Light Next in line is UV-B light. Its wavelength ranges from 290 to 320 nanometers, so it can’t penetrate quite as deeply as UV-A radiation. Still, it’s much more intense, so it can cause more extensive damage. We can take comfort in the fact that only about 5 percent of the ultraviolet radiation that reaches us is UV-B. Both UV-A and UV-B prompt the skin’s defense mechanisms to spring into action, which is what causes it to get darker when exposed to sunlight. UV-A activates melanin, the brown pigment in the skin. Melanin essentially tries to block out radiation to protect the underlying layers of the skin. UV-B causes the skin to create additional melatonin as an extra protective measure. Though this type of radiation makes for a darker, longer-lasting tan, it can also lead to sunburn and, eventually, leathery skin. Prolonged exposure to UV-B radiation can also have a detrimental impact on the immune system. UV-B is responsible for skin cancers and certain other types of damage as well. |
Email below or call us at 804-531-4850 to discuss your
needs.
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While UV-B is dangerous, it also can also be beneficial.
It’s sometimes combined with UV-A for use in
industrial applications, and it’s the main type of
light emitted by UV lamps for reptile habitats. Despite its
ability to cause skin cancer, it can also be helpful for
treating certain types of cancer as well as skin conditions
like psoriasis and eczema.
UV-C Radiation
UV-C has the shortest ultraviolet wavelengths at 100 to 280 nanometers. It’s the strongest form of UV radiation, so its effects are the most devastating. Fortunately for us, nearly all of the UV-C radiation from the sun is absorbed by the ozone layer and moisture and oxygen in the atmosphere.
Virtually all of the UV-C radiation here on Earth comes from manmade sources that are used under controlled circumstances. In those instances, they’re more helpful than harmful for humans. UV-C radiation has been used in a wide range of beneficial ways for quite some time now.
Looking at the Various Positive UV-C Applications
For one, UV-C lights are built into many residential and commercial HVAC systems. When air is drawn through the system, it passes through UV-C filters. Any harmful pathogens in the air disintegrate when they’re exposed to the ultraviolet radiation, leaving behind only clean, fresh air. Food processing and packaging plants are also equipped with UV-C disinfection systems to rid their sites of germs.
In addition to killing airborne pathogens, UV-C light can also destroy microbes in water. It’s used in an array of water purification systems. UV-C has been found to kill up to 99.99 percent of the bacteria and viruses in water. It’s a chemical-free water treatment alternative that doesn’t create any potentially harmful byproducts or alter the taste and smell of the water.
On top of all that, UV-C sanitation systems are installed in hospitals, labs, clean rooms, and other areas where contamination could be a significant issue. Since they’re capable of killing numerous types of microorganisms, they’re effective for maintaining completely sterile environments. This protects medical staff members, patients, and visitors against countless contagions and infections.
UV-C Radiation
UV-C has the shortest ultraviolet wavelengths at 100 to 280 nanometers. It’s the strongest form of UV radiation, so its effects are the most devastating. Fortunately for us, nearly all of the UV-C radiation from the sun is absorbed by the ozone layer and moisture and oxygen in the atmosphere.
Virtually all of the UV-C radiation here on Earth comes from manmade sources that are used under controlled circumstances. In those instances, they’re more helpful than harmful for humans. UV-C radiation has been used in a wide range of beneficial ways for quite some time now.
Looking at the Various Positive UV-C Applications
For one, UV-C lights are built into many residential and commercial HVAC systems. When air is drawn through the system, it passes through UV-C filters. Any harmful pathogens in the air disintegrate when they’re exposed to the ultraviolet radiation, leaving behind only clean, fresh air. Food processing and packaging plants are also equipped with UV-C disinfection systems to rid their sites of germs.
In addition to killing airborne pathogens, UV-C light can also destroy microbes in water. It’s used in an array of water purification systems. UV-C has been found to kill up to 99.99 percent of the bacteria and viruses in water. It’s a chemical-free water treatment alternative that doesn’t create any potentially harmful byproducts or alter the taste and smell of the water.
On top of all that, UV-C sanitation systems are installed in hospitals, labs, clean rooms, and other areas where contamination could be a significant issue. Since they’re capable of killing numerous types of microorganisms, they’re effective for maintaining completely sterile environments. This protects medical staff members, patients, and visitors against countless contagions and infections.
Give us a call at 804-531-4850 for questions about our
products/services and to get a quote.
Placing UV-C in the Hands of the Public
These types of technology have been in use for more than 40
years at this point. Several advancements have come into
play since scientists first learned to harness the power of
the most destructive form of ultraviolet radiation and use
it to humanity’s advantage. During that time,
developers have discovered more effective and efficient
ways of isolating UV-C from the other forms of UV light and
further focusing it for beneficial purposes.
Great strides have also been made in using UV-C radiation safely. At least, that’s usually the case. In air and water filtration systems, UV-C lights are installed in closed systems where people aren’t exposed to the harmful side of its effects. For medical and industrial purposes, UV-C disinfection and sanitization systems, are used in controlled environments by people who are trained to operate them safely and effectively.
Many companies have now developed personal ultraviolet disinfectant lights with UV-C’s germ-killing powers in mind. Experts are expressing growing concerns over this situation because of the dangerous nature of this type of radiation. Members of the general public aren’t fully trained to use these devices, so they could actually cause more damage than they prevent. Warning stickers and instruction manuals aren’t quite the same as full-blown educational courses.
Great strides have also been made in using UV-C radiation safely. At least, that’s usually the case. In air and water filtration systems, UV-C lights are installed in closed systems where people aren’t exposed to the harmful side of its effects. For medical and industrial purposes, UV-C disinfection and sanitization systems, are used in controlled environments by people who are trained to operate them safely and effectively.
Many companies have now developed personal ultraviolet disinfectant lights with UV-C’s germ-killing powers in mind. Experts are expressing growing concerns over this situation because of the dangerous nature of this type of radiation. Members of the general public aren’t fully trained to use these devices, so they could actually cause more damage than they prevent. Warning stickers and instruction manuals aren’t quite the same as full-blown educational courses.