Walk down the cleaning aisle of any store and you will find dozens of items designed to disinfect the home. However, one item not found on these shelves is UV-C sanitizing light, currently used to disinfect in hospitals, food manufacturing plants, and water treatment plants.
Around our planet, microbial balance is achieved by the natural air purification found within the C band of the ultraviolet light (UV) spectrum of the sun. Scientists have been able to capture this natural process in an UV- C light device.
The UV-C light device inhibits the growth of bacteria, viruses, molds, and even dust mites found in homes and other places. Since the late 1990s, much research has been done on the health benefits of using this technology. The process is chemical-free, odorless, and will not pollute the environment. According to one study performed at a large Florida hospital,“We have found that the high output UVC energy kills or inactivates both coil and drain pan mold and bacteria (to eliminate their toxins, VOC and spore production, and allergens).”
Indoor Air Pollution
According to reports made by the Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air pollution is a major health problem. Over time, exposure to the respiratory irritants in homes, offices, and other buildings can trigger other problems such as chronic inflammation, asthma, allergies, and other respiratory ailments.
The Immune System
The body’s immune system has built-in defenses that seek out and destroy foreign substances in the form of bacteria, viruses, and fungi. However, those who are very young, frail, or have compromised immune systems, have a tendency to get sick more often than others. Also, environmental toxins, allergens, and other respiratory irritants can further challenge the immune system’s ability to function optimally.
In recent decades, science has made many immunological advances in medicines and other ways to combat illnesses. UV-C light technology is able to reduce the numbers of these foreign substances and these reductions provide an opportunity for the immune system to manage a smaller bombardment of challengers to a healthy body.
We already know that illness can easily be transmitted from individual to individual. However, illness-causing agents (pathogens) can also be transmitted from shared items and spaces at work, home, and school, including:
- Bathrooms
- Kitchens
- Telephones
- Doorknobs
- Writing instruments
- Computer keyboards
- The car’s steering wheel and transmission stick
Some of the pathogens commonly found in shared environments include:
- Staphylococcus aureus
- E. coli
- Clostridium
- Aspergillus
- Pseudomonas
Traditional Cleaning Agents
Traditional cleaning products do help to keep our home, work, and school environments safe from such pathogens. Unfortunately, these harsh chemicals often come with a trade-off, such as allergic reactions, skin irritation, and if used improperly, toxicity and respiratory or other internal problems.
As well, the chemicals released from these products can pollute the air and water. The labels of many cleaning products can be revealing, containing harsh chemicals like:
- Formaldehyde
- Ammonia
- Bleach
- Phenols
- Nitrobenzene
- Petroleum
- Chloride
UV-C Light Technology
As a nurse and naturopath, anything that can help me achieve balance and reduce illness in my environment is going to attract my attention. So I tried a UV-C light hand-held device*, and I was impressed by its functionality:
- It quickly disinfected (less than 2 seconds for some surfaces);
- It was portabile (it can even be taken on vacation to disinfect hotel rooms);
- It can disinfect objects like toilet bowl handles, T.V. and cable remotes, and a computer mouse;
- It can disinfect high-risk places for dust-mites, such as mattress, bedding, pillows, stuffed animals.
UV-C light is a new ally in the effort to create a greener and cleaner environment. Although not new, it is finding its way into homes across America and around the world. While there are many natural products on the market that eliminate the need for toxic and harmful ingredients, the UV-C light offers another option for disinfecting the home, car, work, and school environments.
*CleanWave UV-C Sanitizing Wand model VH01WW4.
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