The coronavirus pandemic has generated a need to find ways of disinfection and cleaning to help combat the virus. This has led to a renewed popularity of methods that have been used for years, such as ultraviolet light.
However, it should be noted that although ultraviolet light is effective in killing viruses and bacteria, it should only be used by specialists to disinfect certain surfaces, as it can be harmful to the skin and eyes.
Before we understand how it is used to fight viruses and bacteria, let's talk about what ultraviolet light is. It is the spectrum of light that is invisible to the human eye, electromagnetic radiation that has various uses such as making water drinkable, sterilizing food, some medical treatments, or aesthetic treatments such as tanning.
There are three types of ultraviolet light according to their wavelength. UVA rays are known to be used in tanning booths, as UVB rays can cause burns and skin aging. They are ultraviolet light radiation that is linked to skin cancer.
In addition to the above types, there is UVC light, which is the shortest wavelength of ultraviolet radiation. It is a type of ultraviolet light that is more harmful than the other 2, but fortunately does not reach the surface of the earth thanks to the filter we have with the atmosphere. The short-wave UVC ultraviolet light is precisely what is known as disinfectant ultraviolet light, its usefulness for disinfecting surfaces, water and air has been known and used for more than 50 years.
Ultraviolet light, specifically UVC, has the ability to inactivate some airborne pathogens without necessarily endangering human life.
This is because UVC is able to reach the genetic material of viruses and bacteria and inactivate or destroy it. In contrast, UVC is not able to fully penetrate human skin or reach the eyes, as it does pathogens.
There are as yet no specific studies that demonstrate the effectiveness of UV light against Covid-19, but it has been proven effective against other similar viruses, such as SARS or MERS-CoV. For this reason, it is thought that UVC rays may be useful in the fight against this year's coronavirus.
The UV light disinfection can be used on different surfaces in times of Coronavirus, as long as it is handled by professionals. It can be useful in:
Although the efficacy of UVC light to disinfect surfaces is proven, we must remember that this type of ultraviolet light has the potential to be more harmful than UVA or UVB rays.
Its use on human skin could cause skin and eye irritation and other side effects. For this reason, the World Health Organisation advises against using this mechanism for the disinfection of living organisms.
Nor is it advisable to use ultraviolet light at home to disinfect clothing or household surfaces, as it should be handled by experts who are familiar with the necessary safety precautions.
Currently, products are coming onto the market that uses ultraviolet light to disinfect hands or mobile phones. However, the safety of these products is not proven, so we should avoid using them and continue with traditional disinfection methods, such as hand washing or cleaning the home with bleach or alcohol.