UVC SAFETY

Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation used for water, air and surface disinfection is biocidal to microorganisms and humans should use caution to use it safely.  The technology has been safely used for preventing airborne transmission for at least 70 years and a great deal is known about the human exposure limits of 254-nm UVC irradiation.

The UV radiation in germicidal lamps differs from the UV radiation in sunlight, in that solar UV radiation which reaches the Earth is mainly in the UVA and UVB range (UVA: 315 nm – 400 nm, UVB: 280 nm – 315 nm).

UV germicidal lamps emit mainly at 254 nm in the UVC range (UVC: 100 nm – 280 nm), which is not visible, and also some visible blue and violet light. The most widely used UV germicidal lamps are “ozone free” low-pressure mercury vapor lamps.

Safety limits of UV Radiation in germicidal lamps can be exceeded with even a brief exposure. The UVC radiation from germicidal lamps can cause a corneal swelling (i.e., photokeratitis, also known as “welder’s flash”). The feeling can range from a minor “foreign body” sensation to significant pain.

Ultraviolet radiation exposure may also affect the skin and cause skin erythema, more commonly known as “sunburn.” Most of the UVC gets reflected and absorbed by the outer dead layer (stratum corneum)  of the human outer skin (outer epidermis), thus minimizing the UVC transmitted through the epidermis layer to the deeper cellular layers of skin where new cells are constantly created.

Eye and skin symptoms are usually gone within 24-48 hours with no lasting effects afterward.

It has been stated that UVC radiation increases long-term risk for skin cancer or cataract. While in theory this can be true, the realistic risk, compared to the UV radiation from sunlight, is almost non-existent. The International Agency for Research on Cancer and the International Commission on Illumination both maintain that the main source of UV-related risk for skin cancer and cataract is exposure to outdoor sunlight.

UVC radiation does not penetrate the skin and eye tissues nearly as deeply as the UVA and UVB radiation in sunlight. Solar UV radiation is a source of much greater risk, and people are exposed to sunlight on a daily basis.

For comparison, CDC and NIOSH have established the current daily safety recommended exposure limit (REL) of 254-nm UVC for 8 hours work shift is 6.0 mJ/cm2, whereas less than ten minutes of summer sun exposure at a UV Index of 10 can deliver the equivalent limiting daily safety dose 17 because of its much more-penetrating UVA and UVB

Patriot UVClean recommends the use of proper personal protective equipment (PPE) when personnel may be exposed to UV radiation.

Patriot Engineering is also on the leading edge of ”Far-UVC” lamp development, which emits a 222 nm wavelength, a disinfecting light that can be safely operated with humans and animals present. More about Far-UVC here from Ted Talks: https://www.ted.com/talks/david_brenner_can_light_stop_the_coronavirus#t-276914

User Manuals with instructions about safe operation of UVClean appliances and devices  are included inside all product packaging. Manuals are available on the UVClean Website from the footer. Manuals are available as PDF downloads, or translatable in over 100 languages.

UVClean packaging prominently shows and clearly states cautions for proper use of the specific UVC appliance within.  Labeling includes printed packing boxes, product labels, and labels on electrical cords, as shown below:

All UVClean products have been Certified with the proper Safety, Environmental, and US Government Standards, European Standards, Philippine Standards, and International Standards. Appliances and devices have been tested and certified by internationally respected and accepted SGS and BCTC test labs for FCC, EPA, CE, LVD, PS, ICC, ISO, UL.

Patriot UVClean  guarantees its products with a 12-month Warranty and convenient registration on this website at https://patriotuvclean.com/warranty-and-registration/

The integrity and quality of our UVC appliances and devices, along with their safe use by our customers is paramount to Patriot UVClean. Please discuss all appliance use  and safety questions with your UVClean Representative or contact our engineering department, directly  with your questions.

1. Army Public Health Center (Provisional) Nonionizing Radiation Program 5158 Blackhawk Road, APG, MD 21010-5403 COM 410-436-3932 / DSN 584-3932 Approved for Public Release,
2. NIOSH (1972). Criteria for a recommended standard: Occupational exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Publication 73-11009, Washington D.C.
3. Kowalski W (2009). Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation Handbook, UVGI for Air and Surface Disinfection, Springer-Verlag, Berlin.
4. David Brenner | Ted 2020. https://www.ted.com/talks/david_brenner_can_light_stop_the_coronavirus#t-276914

Patriot UVClean Safety Operation