How does Ultraviolet light disinfect?

Electromagnetic radiation that is just outside of visible violet light is known as ultraviolet (UV) light. Radiation with a wavelength between 740 and 380 nm makes up all visible light to the human eye. The electromagnetic spectrum's range from 400 to 100 nm includes UV light, which is invisible to us. Based on their wavelength, UV light may be divided into four different categories. And those are:

*UV-A, between 315 and 400 nm, responsible for our tanned skin;

*UV-B, between 280 and 315 nm, responsible for Vitamin D synthesis and skin burns;

*UV-C, between 200 and 280 nm, used for disinfection purposes; and

*UV-V, between 100 and 200 nm, which is strongly absorbed by water and air, and can only be transmitted in vacuum.

As both UV-B and UV-C may damage cells, they are both capable of disinfection. Yet, these two radiations cause quite different amounts of molecular harm. While UV-B rays are the most dangerous component of natural sunshine, UV-C rays are entirely blocked by atmospheric ozone. Human cells can be harmed by UV-B light in a variety of ways, from severe skin burns to skin cancer. Many plants and animals' growth, development, and reproduction have all been discovered to be impacted by it.

Although UV-B and UV-C both damage DNA molecules in a similar way, UV-B is less effective in killing microbes. As microorganisms have far smaller cell structures than human cells, they can be penetrated by light at much shorter wavelengths. For this, UV-C works best. UV-C rays change microbial DNA by forming thymine dimers when they enter a cell. The mechanisms for microbial protein expression and replication are severely disrupted as a result, which is crucial for cell survival. The microorganism can die after experiencing a full cellular breakdown with a dosage of UV-C radiation in the range of 0.5 to 20 J/m2.

UV-C light is used to disinfect air, water, and surfaces since it is 99.99% fatal to bacteria and viruses. In particular, UV lamps are made to produce light at a wavelength of 254 nm since this is the one that has been discovered to harm microorganisms the most severely. The majority of the time, low- or medium-pressure UV lamps are used to emit this short wavelength, high energy UV light for disinfection applications. Low-pressure lamps are the best choice for general disinfection since they emit low energy radiation and are thus energy-efficient. On the other hand, medium-pressure lamps create more energy, which damages the cell wall in addition to disrupting cellular DNA. Whatever the requirement, UV-C light is a tried-and-true way to effectively disinfect materials and provide bacterial protection.

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