How ‘kitchen commandos’ can leverage Ultraviolet-C – UVC light to eradicate harmful viruses, bacteria, pathogens, and microorganisms in the air and on surfaces—indoors, outdoors, and while on the go; Portable UVC sanitation + purification innovations clean without chemicals
As the COVID-19 madness rages on, warning sirens have sounded of late amid a flurry of information surrounding Ultraviolet-C (UVC) light device safety issues. Rightfully so, the current pandemic has ushered the “wild west” of UVC gadgets with subpar consumer safeguards, instructions, and guidance. The FDA recently issued a consumer advisory concerning UVC light technology that is certainly applicable for business, industrial, and portable use.
Once the industrial food manufacturing method was leveraged in hospitals for its extreme efficacy, today’s UVC technologies are small much more compact. Even portable and economical enough to be making their way into homes across the globe. Individuals are taking them as dining and even out drinking.
While germ-killing UVC technology has set forth tremendous advantages and results for users—serving as a potent tool for efficiently and effectively eradicating harmful viruses, bacteria, pathogens, and microorganisms. There are several considerations you should know before procuring such a powerful device. This includes, the why; when; where; and how it will be used. That impact risk concerns related to UVC wavelength, dose duration of radiation exposure.
Where to Buy
Shopping for UVC lights can be equally overwhelming. One choice is CureUV.com. This company has over 20-years of expertise in the design, development, and provision of UV products and solutions. Today, they are a top provider of germicidal UVC light solutions for kitchen, water, home, travel, and business applications.
Below are a few of CureUV’s more popular UVC devices. These devices start under $80 that offer chemical-free disinfection, which can help ensure your spaces remain free of microbial contaminants like viruses, bacteria, mold, and other fungi:
SteriPEN Aqua Portable UV Water Purifier
Cities around the world have been using UV light to make water safe to drink for over 100 years. UV light destroys the ability of germs to reproduce and make you sick. This unit destroys 99.9999 percent of bacteria, 99.99 percent of viruses, and 99.9 percent of protozoa. SteriPEN is available for around $79. It is a safe solution to combat chlorine-resistant microorganisms such as Giardia and Cryptosporidium and a host of other waterborne viruses and bacteria present in your water. It’s perfect for hiking, camping or any kind of travel.
Whether relaxing in a tropical paradise or hiking through the backcountry, SteriPEN has you covered. Traveler destroys over 99.9 percent of harmful bacteria and microorganisms-causing microbes in a liter of water in just 90 seconds. It’s also handy for home emergencies and will proffer 3,000 treatments for years of safe drinking water. SteriPEN was tested and certified by WQA against US EPA Microbiological Water Purifier Standard. Standard filters may be effective at removing grit, metals, and other larger pieces of sediment. They may also improve the taste of your water, but they can’t kill micro-organisms.
That’s where UV plays a vital role in water sanitation. UVC light at a particular wavelength, 253.7nm, begins to break down DNA at a molecular level and stops the bacteria, fungus, viruses from reproducing, leaving water sanitized. This process has been used in municipal water treatment plants throughout Europe for over 30 years and is now becoming commonplace at water treatment plants. Now it can be with you wherever you may be.
Rechargeable Handheld UV Sanitizer Wand With Digital Timer
Here is a portable way to eliminate germs and have a cleaner environment. This powerful UVC illumination system retails for around $89. Eliminating up to 99.9 percent of viruses, bacteria, germs, mold, dust mite eggs, and flea eggs on surfaces. These non-chemical benefits add an extra layer of safety with no hazardous residue.
The Wand contains a 6-inch UVC lightbulb allowing for more comprehensive coverage of the area and accelerating sanitation in the process. A built-in timer inside the device will enable you to keep track of the desired dosage, creating special sanitation sessions–anywhere from 5 minutes to indefinite. Its silent operation allows for a noise-free solution and its sleek, cordless and lightweight design is perfect for the traveler. Sanitize how you want in your desired area or on your personal items, keeping them germ-free. An internal rechargeable battery saves money on replaceable battery purchases as compared to various other handheld wands on the market.
GermAwayUV 18-Watt Handheld UVC Surface Sanitizer
This device offers reliable and highly portable sanitizing performance at an entry-level price. Indeed, at under $120, this is an affordable, dual-bulb, handheld UV sanitizer that still maintains power levels similar to more industrial UV surface sanitizers. This lightweight and ergonomically designed 18-watt UVC sanitizer will give you much peace of mind.
It has a 6-foot cord adequate for most applications. But the sanitizer will run easily with virtually any simple power extension. Its two 9-watt UVC sanitizer bulbs are guaranteed to produce UV light in the 253.7 nanometers (nm) wavelength, which has been consistently proven to eliminate all illness-causing microorganisms. It’s the perfect tool to disinfect high use and traffic areas, as well as locations where bacteria and viruses congregate like bathrooms, door handles, seating areas, and cooking/dining spaces. It’ll prevent the spread of harmful bacteria and microorganisms, or simply add an extra layer of cleanliness and protection to your cleaning procedures. It comes bundled with protective amber UV safety glasses.
Deluxe GermAwayUV 95-Watt UVC Surface Sanitizer with Cage
With a 95-watt bulb, this chemical-free, tabletop UV room, and surface sanitizer is the strongest of its kind. It will result in effective room sanitation by killing up to 99.9 percent of bacteria, viruses, mold spores, yeasts, C. diff, odors, and other harmful microorganisms. With a simple touch of a button, you’ll be able to leave the room while the entire space is cleaned and disinfected in a matter of minutes. The device has five-time settings: 10, 20, 30, and 60 minutes; and hold for an indefinite run time. After the selected dosage time has elapsed, the device will automatically shut off. You can use it regularly to ensure a consistently clean room.
Heavy Duty Dual Bulb 72-Watt HVAC UV Air Purifier
Suitable for use anywhere, including schools, offices, work-floors and medical rooms to sanitize air and environmental surfaces. This device is effective in small and large rooms/buildings alike, up to 2,400 square feet. With a powerful 72-watt bulb and a standard electrical unit, you can insert this premium UVC bulb into any HVAC system as an easy add-on to sanitize the air in the system.
Typical air purifier units and HVAC systems are definitely useful, designed to filter and ventilate air well. But even the finest filters can’t stop atomic-sized bacteria and viruses. This device is therefore a great extra add-on because it really does target and stop bacteria and viruses from circulating. It sanitizes and disinfects air passing through the HVAC system. Its 72-watt bulb emits UVC light of 254nm and is the most powerful bulb. Most devices are typically only effective in small rooms. But with this level of wattage, you can use this device in large rooms and building types.
Next
At its wavelength, the emitted light is able to penetrate and kill the DNA of atomic-sized organisms that creating problems for humans. UVC emission also acts to eliminate mold spores, yeast, and fungi. Inserting this unit device into your existing HVAC system ensures that not only will the air that moves through your building be ventilated. It will also be irradiated and disinfected as it passes over the bulb. Instead of just filtered air in your system, you’ll end up with sanitized, healthy air.
Add-on (retrofit) features like this one are great because you can just insert them into an already installed and operating HVAC system with minimal additional running costs. This device is easy to install and is capable of DIY application. Other available HVAC retrofit air sanitation and purification solutions include a coil scrubber or 36-watt HVAC UVC air purifier.
By Merilee Kern, MBA
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