11 Useful UV Devices for Disinfection

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With the Covid-19 crisis still looming, we are still advised to put into practice sanitary health practices such as washing our hands frequently and thoroughly throughout the day and wearing face masks.

But is there anything else that we can do? Other than social distancing, some people have looked into alternative ways to disinfect themselves and the items that they own. One way that is still popular is the use of Ultraviolet or UV devices for disinfection. Here are two google trends graphs for those who are searching for such times within the last 12 months.

As you can see, there still are some people searching for such devices to disinfect items such as their phones, baby toys, and other smaller items that frequently touched or handled. But is this process of using UV devices for disinfection effective. To answer such questions, let us get a little more information about what UV is.

WHAT IS UV LIGHT?

UV light (or UV Radiation) is a form of energy that is measured on the electromagnetic spectrum (EM). UV radiation can be found in this scientific scale between X-rays and visible light.

There are different types of UV light. Three main types of UV are most common: UVA, UVB, and UVC. They range from rays with the longest wavelengths (UVA) to rays with the shortest wavelengths (UVC). UVC radiation is absorbed by the earth’s ozone layer.

The only way humans can be exposed to it is through artificial means like a lamp or UVC light. All three of these forms of UV are dangerous to humans.

WHY are UVA, UVB, and UVC DANGEROUS?

In an article on the BBC, there was an inquiry submitted to the UV Light Technology company, which provides disinfecting equipment to manufacturing companies and hospitals, asking if you could kill the coronavirus with UV light.

In the article, it stated that “There’s only one type of UV that can reliably inactivate Covid-19 – and it’s extremely dangerous“. A person who submitted the inquiry had an idea of installing UV lights on a supermarket for customers to stand under it for a few seconds before they entered the building. Dan Arnold, a representative of UV Light Technology, stated, “You would literally be frying people”.

UVA makes up the majority of the radiation reaching the surface of the earth and can penetrate deep into a person’s skin. UVB can damage the DNA in our skin (which can lead to sunburn and skin cancer). Even though both UVA and UVB can damage the skin, UVC is said to be worse.

Dan states, “It can take hours to get sunburn from UVB, but with UVC it takes seconds. If your eyes are exposed… you know that gritty feeling you get if you look at the sun? It’s like that times 10, just after a few seconds.”. So you should not try to sterilize your hands or any other parts of your body with it.

It is strongly advised that if you would like to use UVC safely, you should use specialized equipment and get sufficient training. There is also another type of UVC called “Far-UVC” that is less dangerous, has shorter wavelengths than the regular UVC, and is still deadly to bacteria and viruses.

CAN UVC LIGHT KILL COVID-19?

There is limited, published data at this time that can support that UVC can effectively kill Covid-19 (SARS-CoV-2). Although with the SARS-Coronavirus, it was shown that the outer protein layers of the virus were able to be destroyed, and when that protein coating is destroyed, it leads to an inactivation of the virus.

There are also other things to consider like having direct exposure to UVC, the dose, wavelength, and duration of time needed to inactivate the virus.

WHAT CAN UVC LIGHT KILL?
For decades, UVC light has been known to reduce the spread of bacteria (ex. tuberculosis), disinfect air and water from some parasites, and even kill some viruses like the cold and flu virus.
In conclusion, I could not stress it enough to do your research about any and anything relating to Covid-19 and UV lights. Here are 3 articles to get a jump start on your research:
1.) UV Lights and Lamps: Ultraviolet-C Radiation, Disinfection, and Coronavirus
2.) Can you kill coronavirus with UV light?
3.) Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation

But if you are still looking for a UV device that you can safely use for disinfection, I have listed 15 of some of the best devices below for you to view.

Most will disinfect your smaller devices within a closed containment to offer safety and security. Most devices will cut the power to the light when you open the container so that you will not be able to look directly into the light.

Read the publisher’s descriptions carefully and make sure it is the right fit for your situation.

smile spa™ Ultrasonic and UV Cleaning Machine

The smile spa is designed mainly to clean retainers, mouthguards, toothbrush heads, and pretty much anything dental-related. The smile spa is the first cleaning device to combine UV and ultrasonic cleaning. You can sanitize multiple items at once, and with two five minute cleaning cycles, it can kill 99% of odor-causing bacteria. All you have to do is add lukewarm water, connect the power cord, and press the power button. The system is made of a durable, stainless steel reservoir that will not take up a ton of space on your countertop.

PURCHASE: $38

Smartphone UV Sanitizer And Charger

Charge and sanitize your smartphone simultaneously. The smartphone UV sanitizer and charger is compatible with any phone, but you can sanitize any device that can fit within the case. It can sanitize your device within 10 minutes by using two UV-C lights that will kill 99.9% of the bacteria that are found on the surface of your phone. While your device is being cleaned, unique acoustic outlets let you hear tones and notifications when you get a call or text.

PURCHASE: $79.99

UV-CLEAN Portable Sanitizer Bag

Sanitize your belongings in just 1-minute with the UV-Clean portable sanitizer bag. The bag is designed to fit larger items like glasses, remote controls, keys, and other objects and uses 4 UV-C lights to maximize coverage. The UV-Clean bag states that it can kill up to 99.9% of viruses and bacteria and do this all without using any chemicals or mercury. The bag measures 8 x 4.1 inches and can be used 18 times per charge.

PURCHASE: $99.99

Blue Box UV™ Simple. Effective. Safe.

Your phone is a breeding ground for germs and harmful pathogens. Just think of all of the things that you touch throughout the day. Germs on your hands are transferred to your phone and vice versa. The Blue Box uses UV-C light to “shake micro-organisms to death.”. The UV-C’s high-frequency wavelength aggressively vibrates the nuclear material of pathogens so that it disrupts them from properly replicating themselves. You can sanitize anything that fits inside the case, and they state that it will kill 99.99% of harmful viruses and bacteria.

PURCHASE: $114.99

PhoneSoap 3 UV Smartphone Sanitizer & Universal Charger

The PhoneSoap 3 is a universal phone charger as well as a UV light smartphone sanitizer. The PhoneSoap charger uses germicidal UV-C bulbs that kill 99.99% of different germs and bacteria and also charge your phone during the sanitation process using the USB or USB-C port on the back of the device. PhoneSoap 3 was created with phones in mind but will sanitize anything that will fit inside. While your device is being disinfected, an indicator light at the top of the device will illuminate, and after your remove your device, it will sanitize the inside so that it will be clean for the next use. It will accommodate any size phone and comes in several different colors.

PURCHASE: $79.95

59S® UV-C Sterilizing Bag

The 59S UV-C sterilizing bag is lightweight and can fit several objects inside its 9.5 x 7.7 x 5.9 inch space. The 59S bag is EPA and FDA certified and passed the SGS sterilization test and does not use any chemicals. It eliminates and disinfects up 99.9% of pathogens, and can clean your devices within 3 minutes.

PURCHASE: $169.99

HomeSoap – Sanitize Tablets, Toys, Bottles & More!

The HomeSoap is just like the original PhoneSoap but with more room for more items. Now built with an On and Off switch, you can toggle between automatic and manual modes or decide to turn your UV-C lights off whenever you want. You can sanitize large items like an Apple iPad Pro, pacifiers, utensils, and more. Also, you can charge gadgets utilizing the built-in USB ports.

PURCHASE: $199.95

Uster UV-C Sterilizer Light Mask Sanitizer Clean

Uster is a UV-C sterilizing wand that uses multi-functional UV-C and UV-A lights to deep clean your home and devices daily. The Uster is portable and comes in 3 modes: Manual, Stand up, and Hang up mode. Manual mode lets you freely spot clean with ease, stand up mode allows you to prop the wand up with the pop ou “foot” stand on the side to cleanse stationery items, and Hang up mode lets you sanitize items in your wardrobe. The built-in 2000mAh battery allows you to use the device for a week on one charge, and it also has a gravity sensor so that the product will automatically shut down when you flip it over. UV radiation is dangerous, and you should not be exposed to it for prolonged periods.

PURCHASE: $99

LARQ Insulated Self-Cleaning and Stainless Steel Water Bottle with UV Water Purifier

LARQ is an insulated self-cleaning water bottle that is composed of stainless steel and utilized UV-C LED technology to purify water. LARQ uses non-toxic mercury free UV-C LED technology to kill viruses and odor-causing bacteria, thus cleaning the inner surface of the bottle. It purifies water within one minute and self-cleans itself by activating every 2 hours to keep your bottle fresh and clean. The LARQ is double-wall vacuum insulated, and can last up to a month on a full charge.

PURCHASE: $95 – $148

Hygiene20 – The Only Backpack With Smart Sanitizing Features

Hygiene20 is a smart backpack with cleanliness in mind. With the touch of a button, quickly access the refillable sanitizer dispenser that contains anti-bacterial hand sanitizer and store sani-wipes, gloves, or other things on the outer flap of the backpack. The backpack has a compartment where you can store a “Hygiene Hand” that is designed to keep you from touching germ-ridden surfaces. UV-C lights will also sanitize your stuff by placing them into the main compartment of the Hygiene20. Inner lights switch on automatically to help you see your items in the dark, and the bag has a wireless charging pocket to charge your smartphone at all times.

PURCHASE: $215

EVLAs UV Light Sanitizer

Sterilize your items within 11 minutes with the EVLA UV light sanitizer. It is the perfect gift for vulnerable friends and family members that are at high risk of infection. EVLA can clean anything from phones, credit cards, keys, and baby bottles without the use of steam or chemicals. It requires no messy clean up because it uses UV technology and does not contain any BPA, Phthalate, or lead.

PURCHASE: $249.99

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