Ultraviolet (UV) light has been utilized for many years to purify and disinfect air in medical facilities, where individuals are most vulnerable to illnesses. UV-C rays are a powerful germicidal agent and can be used as a supplement to manual terminal cleaning protocols. This type of light is especially useful in places of high contact and traffic, and on surfaces where the biological load is high. In addition to its effectiveness, it also requires less time and labor. Nevertheless, more studies need to be conducted to set up a safe exposure dose standard, particularly for 222 nm germicidal lamps.
Direct tests are urgently needed for the implementation of UV-C against COVID-19. In general, the use of UV-C rays as a disinfectant tool can overcome safety issues if doses are standardized and 222 nm UV-C irradiation can be employed. UV light systems are increasingly being used in health centers to disinfect patients and operating rooms. UV LEDs, PowerStar UV and Intelligent LED SolutionUV LEDs are a great solution for resin curing in dental applications. The lifespan of bulbs used in traditional curing technologies, such as tungsten halogen, is significantly shorter than the one with LED bulbs. Resins now cure in a matter of seconds, a process that would have taken a long time before the development of LED systems.
Additionally, they reduce the amount of energy used. A recent study shows that ultraviolet disinfection technology eliminates up to 97.7 percent of pathogens in the operating room. Utilizing this wavelength of light could help defeat superbugs. Other concerns include, to a large extent, the lack of standardization in the irradiation dose (irradiance and exposure time) and the distance between surfaces for different UV-C light devices. UV disinfection lighting improves both the patient experience and the ability of staff to work efficiently and with special care. Another company, York Air Conditioning, is manufacturing an air conditioning unit with UV-C lights integrated inside.
Studies have been conducted on ultraviolet light to reduce the amount of airborne pathogens, and work is continuing to determine if this type of technology can be beneficial in the future. The utilization of ultraviolet light systems in hospitals has numerous advantages. It is an effective germicidal agent that requires less time and labor than manual cleaning protocols. It can reduce the amount of airborne pathogens and help defeat superbugs. However, more studies need to be done to establish a safe exposure dose standard for 222 nm germicidal lamps.
