Ultraviolet (UV) light is a type of electromagnetic radiation that is invisible to the human eye. It has a wide range of applications, from tanning beds to water purification. But when it comes to human health, the question arises: are UV lights good or bad?The answer is not so straightforward. While UV light can be beneficial in certain contexts, it can also be harmful if not used or implemented properly.
Direct exposure to germicidal UV light can have damaging effects on both materials and people. Excessive exposure to UV-C light can cause a variety of health issues, including damage to the eyes and skin.On the other hand, UVA rays contain the energy our body needs every day. These rays are less intense than UVB rays, but they still penetrate deep into the skin and can cause skin diseases. Scientists have known for decades that a type of UV light, known as UVC light, quickly kills microbes, including bacteria and viruses.However, conventional germicidal UVC light cannot be used directly to destroy airborne viruses in occupied indoor spaces, as it constitutes a potential hazard to skin and eye health.
Some UV disinfectants are tall, hospital-friendly devices with bulbs that emit UV rays for a certain period of time. This light is the reason you wear sunscreen. The lotion protects you from two types of UV light, UVA and UVB, which are responsible for premature skin wrinkles, sunburn and skin cancer.Even so, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) does not include UV lights in List N, a list of disinfectant products that the agency hopes will serve to combat SARS-CoV-2.For a couple of New York bakeries, that means installing experimental lighting in their entrances that is supposed to disinfect pathogens without harming humans. The study suggests that distant UVC light from lamps installed in the ceiling could be a very effective passive technology to reduce person-to-person transmission of airborne diseases, such as COVID and influenza, indoors, and reduce the risk of an upcoming pandemic.Linden has been studying UV light as a way to disinfect surfaces and water for decades, and he says it's exciting to see the growing interest in sanitation technology.
Ed Nardell, an infectious disease researcher at Harvard Medical School who has dedicated much of his career to studying UV sanitation, also believes that distant UVC light is safe enough to use. However, no study appears to have been published on the extent to which UVC rays may or may not affect people exposed for extended periods. This is an important step as other types of UV light damage the skin and eyes. According to a report from the New York Post, Magnolia Bakery plans to install light bulbs that emit “far ultraviolet light”.In conclusion, while UV lights can be beneficial in certain contexts, it is important to understand their potential risks before using them.
It is also important to take all necessary precautions when using them in order to avoid any potential harm.
