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{{short description|Disinfection method using ultraviolet light}}
{{Repetition|date=August 2011}}
] with shortwave UV light when not in use, sterilizing microbiological contaminants from irradiated surfaces.]] ] floods the inside of a ] with shortwave UV light when not in use, killing microbes on irradiated surfaces.]]
'''Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation''' (UVGI) is a ] technique employing ] (UV) light, particularly ] (180–280&nbsp;nm), to kill or inactivate ]s. UVGI primarily inactivates microbes by damaging their genetic material, thereby inhibiting their capacity to carry out vital functions.<ref>{{cite book | vauthors = Kowalski W | chapter = UVGI Disinfection Theory |date=2009 | title = Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation Handbook: UVGI for Air and Surface Disinfection |pages=17–50 |place=Berlin, Heidelberg |publisher=Springer |language=en |doi=10.1007/978-3-642-01999-9_2 |isbn=978-3-642-01999-9}}</ref>
'''Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation''' ('''UVGI''') is a ] method that uses ] (UV) light at sufficiently short ] to kill or inactivate ].<ref>{{cite web |publisher=] |date=April 2008 |work=NIOSH eNews |volume=5 |issue=12 |accessdate=10 September 2008 |url=http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/enews/enewsV5N12.html}}</ref> It is used in a variety of applications, such as food, air, and water purification. UVGI utilises short-wavelength ultraviolet radiation (UV-C) that is harmful to microorganisms. It is effective in destroying the ]s in these organisms so that their ] is disrupted by the UV radiation, leaving them unable to perform vital ] functions.


The use of UVGI extends to an array of applications, encompassing food, surface, air, and water disinfection. ] can inactivate microorganisms including ], ]es, ], ]s, and other ]s.<ref>{{cite book | vauthors = Kowalski W | chapter = UV Rate Constants |date=2009 | title = Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation Handbook: UVGI for Air and Surface Disinfection |pages=73–117 |place=Berlin, Heidelberg |publisher=Springer |language=en |doi=10.1007/978-3-642-01999-9_4 |isbn=978-3-642-01999-9}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Hessling M, Haag R, Sieber N, Vatter P | title = The impact of far-UVC radiation (200-230 nm) on pathogens, cells, skin, and eyes - a collection and analysis of a hundred years of data | journal = GMS Hygiene and Infection Control | volume = 16 | pages = Doc07 | date = 2021-02-16 | pmid = 33643774 | pmc = 7894148 | doi = 10.3205/dgkh000378 }}</ref> Recent studies have substantiated the ability of UV-C light to inactivate ], the strain of ] that causes ].<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Buonanno M, Welch D, Shuryak I, Brenner DJ | title = Far-UVC light (222 nm) efficiently and safely inactivates airborne human coronaviruses | journal = Scientific Reports | volume = 10 | issue = 1 | pages = 10285 | date = June 2020 | pmid = 32581288 | pmc = 7314750 | doi = 10.1038/s41598-020-67211-2 | bibcode = 2020NatSR..1010285B }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Biasin M, Bianco A, Pareschi G, Cavalleri A, Cavatorta C, Fenizia C, Galli P, Lessio L, Lualdi M, Tombetti E, Ambrosi A, Redaelli EM, Saulle I, Trabattoni D, Zanutta A, Clerici M | display-authors = 6 | title = UV-C irradiation is highly effective in inactivating SARS-CoV-2 replication | journal = Scientific Reports | volume = 11 | issue = 1 | pages = 6260 | date = March 2021 | pmid = 33737536 | pmc = 7973506 | doi = 10.1038/s41598-021-85425-w }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Storm N, McKay LG, Downs SN, Johnson RI, Birru D, de Samber M, Willaert W, Cennini G, Griffiths A | display-authors = 6 | title = Rapid and complete inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 by ultraviolet-C irradiation | journal = Scientific Reports | volume = 10 | issue = 1 | pages = 22421 | date = December 2020 | pmid = 33380727 | pmc = 7773738 | doi = 10.1038/s41598-020-79600-8 | bibcode = 2020NatSR..1022421S }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Robinson RT, Mahfooz N, Rosas-Mejia O, Liu Y, Hull NM | title = UV<sub>222</sub> disinfection of SARS-CoV-2 in solution | journal = Scientific Reports | volume = 12 | issue = 1 | pages = 14545 | date = August 2022 | pmid = 36008435 | pmc = 9406255 | doi = 10.1038/s41598-022-18385-4 | bibcode = 2022NatSR..1214545R }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Jung WK, Park KT, Lyoo KS, Park SJ, Park YH | title = Demonstration of Antiviral Activity of far-UVC Microplasma Lamp Irradiation Against SARS-CoV-2 | journal = Clinical Laboratory | volume = 67 | issue = 8 | date = August 2021 | pmid = 34383419 | doi = 10.7754/clin.lab.2020.201140 | s2cid = 236999461 }}</ref><ref name="Ma_2021">{{cite journal | vauthors = Ma B, Gundy PM, Gerba CP, Sobsey MD, Linden KG | title = UV Inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 across the UVC Spectrum: KrCl* Excimer, Mercury-Vapor, and Light-Emitting-Diode (LED) Sources | journal = Applied and Environmental Microbiology | volume = 87 | issue = 22 | pages = e0153221 | date = October 2021 | pmid = 34495736 | pmc = 8552892 | doi = 10.1128/AEM.01532-21 | bibcode = 2021ApEnM..87E1532M | veditors = Dudley EG }}</ref>
The wavelength of UV that causes this effect is rare on Earth as the ] blocks it.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://news.softpedia.com/news/UV-Radiation-What-UVA-UVB-and-UVC-Rays-Are-and-How-They-Affect-Us-30345.shtml |title=UV Radiation – What UVA, UVB and UVC Rays Are and How They Affect Us |first=Alexandra |last=Lupu |date=20 July 2006 |accessdate=2006-09-09 |work=Seasonal Discomforts |publisher=Softpedia}}</ref>{{MEDRS|date=January 2015}} Using a UVGI device in certain environments like circulating air or water systems creates a deadly effect on micro-organisms such as ]s, ]es and ]s that are in these environments. Coupled with a ], UVGI can remove harmful micro-organisms from these environments.


UV-C wavelengths demonstrate varied germicidal efficacy and effects on biological tissue.<ref name="Ma_2021" /><ref>{{cite book | vauthors = Kowalski W | chapter = UVGI Safety |date=2009 | title = Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation Handbook: UVGI for Air and Surface Disinfection |pages=287–311 |place=Berlin, Heidelberg |publisher=Springer |language=en |doi=10.1007/978-3-642-01999-9_12 |isbn=978-3-642-01999-9}}</ref><ref name="Blatchley_2023">{{Cite journal | vauthors = Blatchley III ER, Brenner DJ, Claus H, Cowan TE, Linden KG, Liu Y, Mao T, Park SJ, Piper PJ, Simons RM, Sliney DH | display-authors = 6 |date=2023-03-19 |title=Far UV-C radiation: An emerging tool for pandemic control |journal=Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology |language=en |volume=53 |issue=6 |pages=733–753 |doi=10.1080/10643389.2022.2084315 | bibcode = 2023CREST..53..733B | s2cid = 249592926 |issn=1064-3389|doi-access=free }}</ref> Many ]s like ], with peak emissions around 254&nbsp;nm, contain UV wavelengths that can be ].<ref name=":1">{{cite journal | vauthors = Zaffina S, Camisa V, Lembo M, Vinci MR, Tucci MG, Borra M, Napolitano A, Cannatà V | display-authors = 6 | title = Accidental exposure to UV radiation produced by germicidal lamp: case report and risk assessment | journal = Photochemistry and Photobiology | volume = 88 | issue = 4 | pages = 1001–1004 | date = 27 March 2012 | pmid = 22458545 | doi = 10.1111/j.1751-1097.2012.01151.x | s2cid = 40322318 }}</ref><ref name=":2">{{cite journal | vauthors = Sengillo JD, Kunkler AL, Medert C, Fowler B, Shoji M, Pirakitikulr N, Patel N, Yannuzzi NA, Verkade AJ, Miller D, Sliney DH, Parel JM, Amescua G | display-authors = 6 | title = UV-Photokeratitis Associated with Germicidal Lamps Purchased during the COVID-19 Pandemic | journal = Ocular Immunology and Inflammation | volume = 29 | issue = 1 | pages = 76–80 | date = January 2021 | pmid = 33215961 | doi = 10.1080/09273948.2020.1834587 | s2cid = 227077219 }}</ref> As a result, UVGI systems have been primarily limited to applications where people are not directly exposed, including hospital surface disinfection, , and ].<ref name=":0">{{cite journal | vauthors = Reed NG | title = The history of ultraviolet germicidal irradiation for air disinfection | journal = Public Health Reports | volume = 125 | issue = 1 | pages = 15–27 | date = January 1, 2010 | pmid = 20402193 | pmc = 2789813 | doi = 10.1177/003335491012500105 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Ramos CC, Roque JL, Sarmiento DB, Suarez LE, Sunio JT, Tabungar KI, Tengco GS, Rio PC, Hilario AL | display-authors = 6 | title = Use of ultraviolet-C in environmental sterilization in hospitals: A systematic review on efficacy and safety | journal = International Journal of Health Sciences | volume = 14 | issue = 6 | pages = 52–65 | date = 2020 | pmid = 33192232 | pmc = 7644456 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |first= |date=September 1999 |title=Wastewater Technology Fact Sheet: Ultraviolet Disinfection |url=https://www3.epa.gov/npdes/pubs/uv.pdf}}</ref> More recently, the application of wavelengths between 200-235&nbsp;nm, often referred to as ], has gained traction for surface and air disinfection.<ref name="Blatchley_2023" /><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Brenner DJ | title = Far-UVC Light at 222 nm is Showing Significant Potential to Safely and Efficiently Inactivate Airborne Pathogens in Occupied Indoor Locations | journal = Photochemistry and Photobiology | volume = 99 | issue = 3 | pages = 1047–1050 | date = November 2022 | pmid = 36330967 | doi = 10.1111/php.13739 | s2cid = 253302952 | doi-access = free }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | vauthors = Milton DK, Nardell EA, Michaels D |date=2022-04-21 |title=Opinion {{!}} We Have the Technology to Stop Superspreading Without Masks |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/21/opinion/superspreader-events-disinfect-air.html |access-date=2023-06-19 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> These wavelengths are regarded as much safer due to their significantly reduced penetration into human tissue.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Buonanno M, Ponnaiya B, Welch D, Stanislauskas M, Randers-Pehrson G, Smilenov L, Lowy FD, Owens DM, Brenner DJ | display-authors = 6 | title = Germicidal Efficacy and Mammalian Skin Safety of 222-nm UV Light | journal = Radiation Research | volume = 187 | issue = 4 | pages = 483–491 | date = April 2017 | pmid = 28225654 | pmc = 5552051 | doi = 10.1667/RR0010CC.1 | bibcode = 2017RadR..187..493B }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Buonanno M, Stanislauskas M, Ponnaiya B, Bigelow AW, Randers-Pehrson G, Xu Y, Shuryak I, Smilenov L, Owens DM, Brenner DJ | display-authors = 6 | title = 207-nm UV Light-A Promising Tool for Safe Low-Cost Reduction of Surgical Site Infections. II: In-Vivo Safety Studies | journal = PLOS ONE | volume = 11 | issue = 6 | pages = e0138418 | date = 2016-06-08 | pmid = 27275949 | pmc = 4898708 | doi = 10.1371/journal.pone.0138418 | bibcode = 2016PLoSO..1138418B | doi-access = free }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Eadie E, Barnard IM, Ibbotson SH, Wood K | title = Extreme Exposure to Filtered Far-UVC: A Case Study<sup>†</sup> | journal = Photochemistry and Photobiology | volume = 97 | issue = 3 | pages = 527–531 | date = May 2021 | pmid = 33471372 | pmc = 8638665 | doi = 10.1111/php.13385 }}</ref><ref name=":3">{{cite journal | vauthors = Kaidzu S, Sugihara K, Sasaki M, Nishiaki A, Ohashi H, Igarashi T, Tanito M | title = Re-Evaluation of Rat Corneal Damage by Short-Wavelength UV Revealed Extremely Less Hazardous Property of Far-UV-C<sup>†</sup> | journal = Photochemistry and Photobiology | volume = 97 | issue = 3 | pages = 505–516 | date = May 2021 | pmid = 33749837 | pmc = 8251618 | doi = 10.1111/php.13419 }}</ref>
The application of UVGI to disinfection has been an accepted practice since the mid-20th century. It has been used primarily in ] and sterile work facilities. Increasingly it was employed to sterilize ] and ], as the holding facilities were enclosed and could be circulated to ensure a higher exposure to the UV. In recent years UVGI has found renewed application in ].

Notably, UV-C light is virtually absent in sunlight reaching the Earth's surface due to the absorptive properties of the ] within the ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Reference Air Mass 1.5 Spectra |url=https://www.nrel.gov/grid/solar-resource/spectra-am1.5.html |access-date=2023-06-19 |website=www.nrel.gov |language=en}}</ref>


==History== ==History==


=== Origins of UV germicidal action ===
In 1878, ] (1851-1938) and ] (1842-1929) published a paper describing the sterilization of bacteria exposed to short wavelength light. By 1903, it was discovered that wavelengths around 250 nm were most effective for inactivation of bacteria. <ref name=BC08>{{cite book|author=James Bolton, Christine Colton |title=The Ultraviolet Disinfection Handbook |publisher=American Water Works Association |year=2008 |isbn=978 1 58321 584 5 |pages=3-4}}</ref>
The development of UVGI traces back to 1878 when Arthur Downes and Thomas Blunt found that sunlight, particularly its shorter wavelengths, hindered microbial growth.<ref>{{Cite journal | vauthors = Downes A, Blunt TP |date= July 1877 |title=The Influence of Light upon the Development of Bacteria 1 |journal=Nature |language=en |volume=16 |issue=402 |pages=218 |doi=10.1038/016218a0 |bibcode= 1877Natur..16..218D |s2cid= 32617180 |issn=1476-4687|doi-access=free }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal | vauthors = Downes A, Blunt TP |date=1877 |title=Researches on the Effect of Light upon Bacteria and other Organisms |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/113427 |journal=Proceedings of the Royal Society of London |volume=26 |pages=488–500 |jstor=113427 |bibcode=1877RSPS...26..488D |issn=0370-1662}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |date=1879-12-31 |title=IV. On the influence of light upon protoplasm |url=https://royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rspl.1878.0109 |journal=Proceedings of the Royal Society of London |language=en |volume=28 |issue=190–195 |pages=199–212 |doi=10.1098/rspl.1878.0109 |s2cid=83315252 |issn=0370-1662}}</ref> Expanding upon this work, ], in 1885, identified variations in sunlight sensitivity among different bacterial species.<ref>{{Cite journal | vauthors = Duclaux E |date=1885 |title=Influence de la luminére du soleil sur la vitalité des germes des microbes | trans-title = Influence of sunlight on the vitality of germs of microbes | language = French |journal=Comptes Rendus Hebdomadaires des Séances de l'Académie des Sciences | trans-journal = Weekly Minutes of the Sessions of the Academy of Sciences |volume=100 |pages=119–21}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book | vauthors = Duclaux E |date=1885 |title=Sur la durée de la vie chez les germes des microbes | trans-title = On the lifespan of germs of microbes | language = French }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal | vauthors = Duclaux E |date=1885 |title=Influence de la lumière du soleil sur la vitalité de micrococcus |url=https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k6459369c/f668.item | trans-title = Influence of sunlight on the vitality of micrococcus | language = French |journal=Comptes Rendus Hebdomadaires des Séances et Mémoires de la Société de Biologie | trans-journal = Weekly Reports of Sessions and Memoirs of the Society of Biology |volume=37 |pages=508–10}}</ref> A few years later, in 1890, ] demonstrated the lethal effect of sunlight on '']'', hinting at UVGI's potential for combating diseases like ].<ref>{{Cite book | vauthors = Koch R |date=1890 |title=Ueber bakteriologische Forschung | trans-title = About bacteriological research | language = German |url = https://edoc.rki.de/bitstream/handle/176904/5173/650-660.pdf }}</ref>


Subsequent studies further defined the wavelengths most efficient for germicidal inactivation. In 1892, it was noted that the UV segment of sunlight had the most potent bactericidal effect.<ref>{{Cite journal | vauthors = Geisler T |date=1892 |title=Zur Frage über die Wirkung des Licht auf Bakterien | trans-title = On the question of the effect of light on bacteria |journal=Centralblatt für Bakteriologie und Parasitenkunde | trans-journal = Central magazine for bacteriology and parasitology |volume=11 |pages=161–73}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal | vauthors = Buchner H |date=1892 |title=Ueber den Einfluss des Lichtes auf Bakterien. | trans-title = On the influence of light on bacteria. | language = German |journal=Centralblatt für Bakteriologie und Parasitenkunde | trans-journal = Central magazine for bacteriology and parasitology |volume=11 |pages=781–3}}</ref> Research conducted in the early 1890s demonstrated the superior germicidal efficacy of UV-C compared to UV-A and UV-B.<ref>{{Cite journal | vauthors = Bang S |date=1901 |title=Die Wirkungen des Lichtes auf Mikrooganismen | trans-title = The effects of light on microorganisms |journal=Mitt. Finsens Med. Lysinst |volume=2 |pages=1–107}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |date=1904-01-31 |title=Upon the bactericidal action of some ultra-violet radiations as produced by the continuous-current arc |journal=Proceedings of the Royal Society of London |volume=72 |issue=477–486 |pages=126–128 |doi=10.1098/rspl.1903.0028 |s2cid=137950219 |issn=0370-1662}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal | vauthors = Hertel E |date=1904 |title=Ueber Beeinflussung des Organismus durch Licht, speziell durch die chemisch wirksamen Strahlen | trans-title = About the influence of light on the organism, especially through the chemically effective rays | language = German |journal=Zeitschrift für allgemeine Physiologie | trans-journal = Journal of General Physiology |volume=4 |pages=1–43}}</ref>
UV has been a known ] at the cellular level for more than one-hundred years. The 1903 ] was awarded to ] for his use of UV against ], ] of the skin.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/medicine/laureates/1903/ |title=The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1903 |work=Nobelprize.org |publisher=The Nobel Foundation |accessdate=2006-09-09}}</ref>


The ]ic effects of UV were first unveiled in a 1914 study that observed ] changes in ] upon exposure to sublethal doses of UV.<ref>{{Cite journal | vauthors = Henri MV |date=1914 |title=Variation du pouvoir abiotique des rayons ultraviolets avec leur longueur d'onde |journal=C.R. Séances Soc. Biol. Fil. |volume=73 |pages=321–322}}</ref> Frederick Gates, in the late 1920s, offered the first quantitative bactericidal action spectra for '']'' and ''Bacillus coli,'' noting peak effectiveness at 265&nbsp;nm.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Gates FL | title = A Study of the Bactericidal Action of Ultra Violet Light : I. The Reaction to Monochromatic Radiations | journal = The Journal of General Physiology | volume = 13 | issue = 2 | pages = 231–248 | date = November 1929 | pmid = 19872521 | pmc = 2141026 | doi = 10.1085/jgp.13.2.231 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Gates FL | title = A Study of the Bactericidal Action of Ultra Violet Light : Ii. The Effect of Various Environmental Factors and Conditions | journal = The Journal of General Physiology | volume = 13 | issue = 2 | pages = 249–260 | date = November 1929 | pmid = 19872522 | pmc = 2141035 | doi = 10.1085/jgp.13.2.249 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Gates FL | title = A Study of the Bactericidal Action of Ultra Violet Light : Iii. The Absorption of Ultra Violet Light by Bacteria | journal = The Journal of General Physiology | volume = 14 | issue = 1 | pages = 31–42 | date = September 1930 | pmid = 19872573 | pmc = 2141090 | doi = 10.1085/jgp.14.1.31 }}</ref> This matched the absorption spectrum of ]s, hinting at ] damage as the key factor in bacterial inactivation. This understanding was solidified by the 1960s through research demonstrating the ability of UV-C to form ], leading to microbial inactivation.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Beukers R, Berends W | title = Isolation and identification of the irradiation product of thymine | journal = Biochimica et Biophysica Acta | volume = 41 | issue = 3 | pages = 550–551 | date = July 1960 | pmid = 13800233 | doi = 10.1016/0006-3002(60)90063-9 }}</ref> These early findings collectively laid the groundwork for modern UVGI as a disinfection tool.
Using UV light for drinking water disinfection dates back to the year 1910 in ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://phc.amedd.army.mil/PHC%20Resource%20Library/Ultraviolet%20Light%20Disinfection%20in%20the%20Use%20of%20Individual%20Water%20Purification%20Devices.pdf |title=Ultraviolet light disinfection in the use of individual water purification devices |publisher=U.S. Army Public Health Command |accessdate=2014-01-08}}</ref> The prototype plant was taken out of service after only a short time, due to reliability problems. In 1955, UV water treatment systems were applied in Austria and Switzerland; by 1985 about 1,500 plants were in use in Europe. In 1998 it was discovered that protozoa such as ] and ] were more vulnerable to UV light than previously thought; this opened the way to wide-scale use of UV water treatment in North America. By 2001 over 6000 UV water treatment plants were operating in Europe. <ref name=BC08/>


=== UVGI for air disinfection ===
Over the years, UV costs have declined as researchers develop and use new UV methods to disinfect water and wastewater. Currently, several countries have developed regulations that allow systems to disinfect their drinking water supplies with UV light.
The utilization of UVGI for air disinfection began in earnest in the mid-1930s. ] demonstrated in 1935 that airborne infectious organisms, specifically aerosolized ''B. coli'' exposed to 254&nbsp;nm UV, could be rapidly inactivated.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Wells WF, Fair GM | title = Viability of ''B. Coli'' Exposed to Ultra-Violet Radiation in Air | journal = Science | volume = 82 | issue = 2125 | pages = 280–281 | date = September 1935 | pmid = 17792965 | doi = 10.1126/science.82.2125.280-a }}</ref> This built upon earlier theories of infectious ] transmission put forth by ] and Wells himself.<ref>{{Cite journal | vauthors = Wells WF |date=November 1934 |title=On Air-Borne Infection |url=https://academic.oup.com/aje/article-lookup/doi/10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a118097 |journal=American Journal of Epidemiology |language=en |volume=20 |issue=3 |pages=611–618 |doi=10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a118097 |issn=1476-6256}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal | vauthors = Flügge C |title=Ueber luftinfection |journal=Zeitschrift für Hygiene und Infektionskrankheiten |volume=25 |issue=1 |pages=179–224}}</ref> Prior to this, UV radiation had been studied predominantly in the context of liquid or solid media, rather than airborne microbes.


Shortly after Wells' initial experiments, high-intensity UVGI was employed to disinfect a hospital operating room at ] in 1936.<ref>{{Cite journal | vauthors = Hart D |date=1936-10-01 |title=Sterilization of the Air in the Operating Room by Special Bactericidal Radiant Energy: Results of Its Use in Extrapleural Thoracoplasties |journal=Journal of Thoracic Surgery |language=en |volume=6 |issue=1 |pages=45–81 |doi=10.1016/S0096-5588(20)32445-4 |issn=0096-5588}}</ref> The method proved a success, reducing ] infections from 11.62% without the use of UVGI to 0.24% with the use of UVGI.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Hart D | title = Bactericidal ultraviolet radiation in the operating room. Twenty-nine-year study for control of infections | journal = Journal of the American Medical Association | volume = 172 | issue = 10 | pages = 1019–1028 | date = March 1960 | pmid = 14400064 | doi = 10.1001/jama.1960.03020100027006 }}</ref> Soon, this approach was extended to other hospitals and infant wards using UVGI "light curtains", designed to prevent respiratory cross-infections, with noticeable success.<ref>{{Cite journal | vauthors = Del Mundo FD, McKhann CT |date=1941-02-01 |title=Effect of Ultraviolet Irradiatio nof Air on Incidence of Infections in an Infants' Hospital |url=http://archpedi.ama-assn.org/cgi/doi/10.1001/archpedi.1941.02000080003001 |journal=Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine |language=en |volume=61 |issue=2 |pages=213–225 |doi=10.1001/archpedi.1941.02000080003001 |issn=1072-4710}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Woodhall B, Neill RG, Dratz HM | title = Ultraviolet Radiation as an Adjunct in the Control of Postoperative Neurosurgical Infection: II Clinical Experience 1938-1948 | journal = Annals of Surgery | volume = 129 | issue = 6 | pages = 820–824 | date = June 1949 | doi = 10.1097/00000658-194906000-00008 | pmid = 17859359 | pmc = 1514178 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal | vauthors = Sommer HE, Stokes J |date=November 1942 |title=Studies on air-borne infection in a hospital ward |journal=The Journal of Pediatrics |volume=21 |issue=5 |pages=569–576 |doi=10.1016/s0022-3476(42)80045-1 |issn=0022-3476}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal | vauthors = Robertson EC, Doyle ME, Tisdall FF |date=1943-03-20 |title=Use of Ultraviolet Radiation in Reduction of Respiratory Cross Infections: In a Children's Hospital: Final Report |journal=Journal of the American Medical Association |language=en |volume=121 |issue=12 |pages=908 |doi=10.1001/jama.1943.02840120010003 |issn=0002-9955}}</ref>
==Method of operation==
UV light is ] with wavelengths shorter than ]. UV can be separated into various ranges, with short range UV (]) considered “germicidal UV”. At certain wavelengths UV is ] to bacteria, viruses and other micro-organisms. At a wavelength of 2,537 ] (254&nbsp;nm)<ref>{{cite journal |author=Kowalski W.J.; Bahnfleth W.P.; Witham D.L.; Severin B.F.; Whittam T.S. |journal=Quantitative Microbiology |date=October 2000 |pages=249–270 |publisher=Springer |title=Mathematical modeling of ultraviolet germicidal irradiation for air disinfection |url=http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/klu/quan/2000/00000002/00000003/00390528 |volume=2 |doi=10.1023/A:1013951313398 |issue=3 }}</ref> UV breaks molecular bonds within micro-organismal DNA, producing ] dimers in the DNA thereby destroying the organisms, rendering them harmless or prohibiting growth and reproduction. It is a process similar to the UV effect of longer wavelengths (]) on humans, such as ] or ]. Micro-organisms have less protection from UV and cannot survive prolonged exposure to it.


Adjustments in the application of UVGI saw a shift from "light curtains" to upper-room UVGI, confining germicidal irradiation above human head level. Despite its dependency on good vertical air movement, this approach yielded favorable outcomes in preventing cross-infections.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Rosenstern I | title = Control of air-borne infections in a nursery for young infants | journal = American Journal of Diseases of Children | volume = 75 | issue = 2 | pages = 193–202 | date = February 1948 | pmid = 18870758 | doi = 10.1001/archpedi.1948.02030020204004 }}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Higgons RA, Hyde GM | title = Effect of ultraviolet air sterilization upon incidence of respiratory infections in a children's institution; a 6-year study | journal = New York State Journal of Medicine | volume = 47 | issue = 7 | pages = 707–710 | date = April 1947 | pmid = 20293122 | url = https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20293122 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal | vauthors = Greene D |date= February 1941 |title=Effect of Irradiation of the Air in a Ward on the Incidence of Infections of the Respiratory Tract: With a Note on Varicella |url=http://archpedi.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?doi=10.1001/archpedi.1941.02000080063008 |journal=American Journal of Diseases of Children |language=en |volume=61 |issue=2 |pages=273 |doi=10.1001/archpedi.1941.02000080063008 |issn=0096-8994}}</ref> This was exemplified by Wells' successful usage of upper-room UVGI between 1937 and 1941 to curtail the spread of ] in suburban Philadelphia day schools. His study found that 53.6% of ] in schools without UVGI became infected, while only 13.3% of susceptibles in schools with UVGI were infected.<ref>{{Cite journal | vauthors = Wells WF, Wells MW, Wilder TS |date=January 1942 |title= The Environmental Control of Epidemic Contagion |journal=American Journal of Epidemiology |language=en |volume=35 |issue=1 |pages=97–121 |doi=10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a118789 |issn=1476-6256}}</ref>
A UVGI system is designed to expose environments such as ]s, sealed rooms and ]s to germicidal UV. Exposure comes from ]s that emit germicidal UV electromagnetic radiation at the correct wavelength, thus irradiating the environment. The forced flow of air or water through this environment ensures the exposure.


Richard L. Riley, initially a student of Wells, continued the study of airborne infection and UVGI throughout the 1950s and 60s, conducting significant experiments in a Veterans Hospital TB ward. Riley successfully demonstrated that UVGI could efficiently inactivate airborne pathogens and prevent the spread of tuberculosis.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Riley RL, Wells WF, Mills CC, Nyka W, Mclean RL | title = Air hygiene in tuberculosis: quantitative studies of infectivity and control in a pilot ward | journal = American Review of Tuberculosis | volume = 75 | issue = 3 | pages = 420–431 | date = March 1957 | pmid = 13403171 | doi = 10.1164/artpd.1957.75.3.420 | doi-broken-date = 1 November 2024 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |date=February 1997 |title=Aerial dissemination of pulmonary tuberculosis: a two-year study of contagion in a tuberculosis ward |journal=American Journal of Infection Control |volume=25 |issue=1 |pages=65–66 |doi=10.1016/s0196-6553(97)90056-0 |issn=0196-6553}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Riley RL, Mills CC, O'Grady F, Sultan LU, Wittstadt F, Shivpuri DN | title = Infectiousness of air from a tuberculosis ward. Ultraviolet irradiation of infected air: comparative infectiousness of different patients | journal = The American Review of Respiratory Disease | volume = 85 | pages = 511–525 | date = April 1962 | pmid = 14492300 | doi = 10.1164/arrd.1962.85.4.511 | doi-broken-date = 1 November 2024 }}</ref>
==Effectiveness==
The effectiveness of germicidal UV in such an environment depends on a number of certain factors: the length of time a micro-organism is exposed to UV, power fluctuations of the UV source that impact the EM wavelength, the presence of particles that can protect the micro-organisms from UV, and a micro-organism’s ability to ] UV during its exposure.


Despite initial successes, the use of UVGI declined in the second half of the 20th century era due to various factors, including a rise in alternative infection control and prevention methods, inconsistent efficacy results, and concerns regarding its safety and maintenance requirements.<ref name=":0" /> However, recent events like a rise in multiple ] bacteria and the COVID-19 pandemic have renewed interest in UVGI for air disinfection.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Escombe AR, Moore DA, Gilman RH, Navincopa M, Ticona E, Mitchell B, Noakes C, Martínez C, Sheen P, Ramirez R, Quino W, Gonzalez A, Friedland JS, Evans CA | display-authors = 6 | title = Upper-room ultraviolet light and negative air ionization to prevent tuberculosis transmission | journal = PLOS Medicine | volume = 6 | issue = 3 | pages = e43 | date = March 2009 | pmid = 19296717 | pmc = 2656548 | doi = 10.1371/journal.pmed.1000043 | veditors = Wilson P | doi-access = free }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web | vauthors = Whalen J |date= March 2009 |title=Environmental control for tuberculosis: basic upper-room ultraviolet germicidal irradiation guidelines for healthcare settings. | url = https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/5306 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news | vauthors = Chang K |date=2020-05-07 |title=Scientists Consider Indoor Ultraviolet Light to Zap Coronavirus in the Air |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/07/science/ultraviolet-light-coronavirus.html |access-date=2023-06-20 |issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=A new weapon in the fight against superbugs | vauthors = Brenner D | website = ] | date = 18 January 2018 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YATYsgi3e5A |access-date=2023-06-20 |language=en}}</ref>
In many systems redundancy in exposing micro-organisms to UV is achieved by circulating the air or water repeatedly. This ensures multiple passes so that the UV is effective against the highest number of micro-organisms and will irradiate resistant micro-organisms more than once to break them down.


=== UVGI for water treatment ===
The effectiveness of this form of sterilization is also dependent on ] exposure of the micro-organisms to the UV light. Environments where design creates obstacles that block the UV light are not as effective. In such an environment the effectiveness is then reliant on the placement of the UVGI system so that line of sight is optimum for sterilization.
Using UV light for disinfection of drinking water dates back to 1910 in ].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://phc.amedd.army.mil/PHC%20Resource%20Library/Ultraviolet%20Light%20Disinfection%20in%20the%20Use%20of%20Individual%20Water%20Purification%20Devices.pdf |title=Ultraviolet light disinfection in the use of individual water purification devices |publisher=U.S. Army Public Health Command |access-date=2014-01-08}}</ref> The prototype plant was shut down after a short time due to poor reliability. In 1955, UV ] systems were applied in Austria and Switzerland; by 1985 about 1,500 plants were employed in Europe. In 1998 it was discovered that ] such as '']'' and '']'' were more vulnerable to UV light than previously thought; this opened the way to wide-scale use of UV water treatment in North America. By 2001, over 6,000 UV water treatment plants were operating in Europe.<ref name="BC08">{{cite book|title=The Ultraviolet Disinfection Handbook | vauthors = Bolton J, Colton C |publisher=American Water Works Association |year=2008 |isbn=978-1-58321-584-5 |pages=3–4 }}</ref>


Over time, UV costs have declined as researchers develop and use new UV methods to disinfect water and wastewater. Several countries have published regulations and guidance for the use of UV to disinfect drinking water supplies, including the US<ref>United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (2006-01-05). "National Primary Drinking Water Regulations: Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule." ''Federal Register,'' {{USFR|71|653}}</ref><ref name="EPA-LT2 docs">{{cite web |title=Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule Documents |url=https://www.epa.gov/dwreginfo/long-term-2-enhanced-surface-water-treatment-rule-documents |date=2021-12-01 |publisher=EPA |location=Washington, DC}}</ref><ref name="EPA LT2 UV guidance">{{cite report |title=Ultraviolet Disinfection Guidance Manual for the Final Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule |url=https://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyPURL.cgi?Dockey=600006T3.txt |date=November 2006 |publisher=EPA |id=EPA 815-R-06-007}}</ref> and the UK.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://cdn.dwi.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/03135357/Guidance-on-the-use-of-ultraviolet-UV-irradiation-for-the-disinfection-of-public-water-supplies.pdfdis|title=Guidance on the use of ultraviolet (UV) irradiation for the disinfection of public water supplies|date=August 2016|access-date=21 February 2022}}</ref>
Sterilization is often misquoted as being achievable. While it is theoretically possible in a controlled environment, it is very difficult to prove and the term "disinfection" is used by companies offering this service as to avoid legal reprimand. Specialist companies will often advertise a certain log reduction e.g., 99.9999% effective, instead of sterilization. This takes into consideration a phenomenon known as light and dark repair (] and ], respectively) in which the DNA in the bacterium will fix itself after being damaged by UV light.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.uvo3.co.uk/blog/uv-water/how-does-uv-disinfection-work/ |title=How does UV disinfection work |work=R. Franklin |publisher=UVO3.co.uk |accessdate=2011-06-22}}</ref>{{MEDRS|date=January 2015}}


== Method of operation ==
A separate problem that will affect UVGI is ] or other film coating the bulb, which can lower UV output. Therefore bulbs require annual replacement and scheduled cleaning to ensure effectiveness. The lifetime of germicidal UV bulbs varies depending on design. Also the material that the bulb is made of can absorb some of the germicidal rays.
UV light is ] with wavelengths shorter than ] but longer than ]. UV is categorised into several wavelength ranges, with short-wavelength UV (UV-C) considered "germicidal UV". Wavelengths between about 200&nbsp;nm and 300&nbsp;nm are strongly absorbed by ]s. The absorbed energy can result in defects including ]. These dimers can prevent replication or can prevent the expression of necessary proteins, resulting in the death or inactivation of the organism. Recently, it has been shown that these dimers are fluorescent.<ref>{{Cite journal |title=Intrinsic fluorescence of UV-irradiated DNA| vauthors = Carroll GT, Dowling RC, Kirschman DL, Masthay MB, Mammana A |date=March 2023|journal=Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology A: Chemistry|volume=437|pages=114484|doi=10.1016/j.jphotochem.2022.114484| bibcode = 2023JPPA..43714484C | s2cid = 254622477 }}</ref>
* Mercury-based lamps operating at low vapor pressure emit UV light at the 253.7&nbsp;nm line.<ref name="Meulemans 1987">{{Cite journal | vauthors = Meulemans CC |date= September 1987 |title=The Basic Principles of UV–Disinfection of Water |journal=Ozone: Science & Engineering |volume=9 |issue=4 |pages=299–313 |doi=10.1080/01919518708552146 |bibcode= 1987OzSE....9..299M |issn=0191-9512}}</ref>
* Ultraviolet ] (UV-C LED) lamps emit UV light at selectable wavelengths between 255 and 280&nbsp;nm.<ref name="Messina 2015">{{cite journal | vauthors = Messina G, Burgassi S, Messina D, Montagnani V, Cevenini G | title = A new UV-LED device for automatic disinfection of stethoscope membranes | journal = American Journal of Infection Control | volume = 43 | issue = 10 | pages = e61–e66 | date = October 2015 | pmid = 26254501 | doi = 10.1016/j.ajic.2015.06.019 | publisher = Elsevier | doi-access = free }}</ref>
* Pulsed-xenon lamps emit UV light across the entire UV spectrum with a peak emission near 230&nbsp;nm.<ref name="Kowalski 2009">{{cite book | vauthors = Kowalski W |title=Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation Handbook: UVGI for Air and Surface Disinfection |date=2009 |doi=10.1007/978-3-642-01999-9 |isbn=978-3-642-01998-2}}</ref>


This process is similar to, but stronger than, the effect of longer wavelengths (]) producing ] in humans. Microorganisms have less protection against UV and cannot survive prolonged exposure to it.{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}
Lamp cooling under airflow can also lower UV output, thus care should be taken to shield lamps from direct airflow via parabolic reflector. Or add additional lamps to compensate for the cooling effect.


A UVGI system is designed to expose environments such as ]s, rooms and ]s to germicidal UV. Exposure comes from ]s that emit germicidal UV at the correct wavelength, thus irradiating the environment. The forced flow of air or water through this environment ensures exposure of that air or water.{{citation needed|date=May 2023}}
Increases in effectiveness and UV intensity can be achieved by using reflection. Aluminium has the highest reflectivity rate versus other metals and is recommended when using UV.

== Effectiveness ==
The effectiveness of germicidal UV depends on the UV dose, i.e. how much UV light reaches the microbe (measured as ]) and how susceptible the microbe is to the given wavelength(s) of UV light, defined by the germicidal effectiveness curve.

=== UV Dose ===
The UV dose is measured in light energy per area, i.e. ] or fluence. The fluence a microbe is exposed to is the product of the light intensity, i.e. ] and the time of exposure, according to:

: ''UV dose'' (μJ/cm<sup>2</sup>) = ''UV intensity'' (μW/cm<sup>2</sup>) × ''exposure time'' (seconds)<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.americanairandwater.com/uv-definitions/ | title = UV dose | publisher = American Air & Water, Inc. }}</ref><!--1 μW·s/cm<sup>2</sup> = 10 mW·s/m<sup>2</sup> = 0.01 W·s/m<sup>2</sup>, the latter might be better, giving two-digit values for the ones in this article-->

Likewise, the irradiance depends on the brightness (], W/sr) of the UV source, the distance between the UV source and the microbe, the attenuation of filters (e.g. ] glass) in the light path, the attenuation of the medium (e.g. microbes in ] water), the presence of particles or objects that can shield the microbes from UV, and the presence of reflectors that can direct the same UV-light through the medium multiple times. Additionally, if the microbes are not free-flowing, such as in a ], they will block each other from irradiation.

The ] (EPA) published UV dosage guidelines for water treatment applications in 1986.<ref>{{cite report |vauthors=Stover EL, Haas CN, Rakness KL, Scheible OK |title=Design Manual: Municipal Wastewater Disinfection |url=https://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyPURL.cgi?Dockey=300045OY.txt |date=October 1986 |publisher=EPA |location=Cincinnati, OH |id=EPA 625/1-86/021}}</ref> It is difficult to measure UV dose directly but it can also be estimated from:
* ] (contact time)
* ] (light reaching the target)
* ] (cloudiness)
* Lamp age or ] or outages (reduction in UV intensity)

Bulbs require periodic cleaning and replacement to ensure effectiveness. The lifetime of germicidal UV bulbs varies depending on design. Also, the material that the bulb is made of can absorb some of the germicidal rays. Lamp cooling under airflow can also lower UV output. The UV dose should be calculated using the end of lamp life (EOL is specified in number of hours when the lamp is expected to reach 80% of its initial UV output). Some ''shatter-proof'' lamps are coated with a fluorated ethylene polymer to contain glass shards and mercury in case of breakage; this coating reduces UV output by as much as 20%.

UV source intensity is sometimes specified as ] at a distance of 1 meter, which can be easily converted to ]. UV intensity is inversely proportional to the square of the distance so it decreases at longer distances. Alternatively, it rapidly increases at distances shorter than 1{{nbsp}}m. In the above formula, the UV intensity must always be adjusted for distance unless the UV dose is calculated at exactly {{Convert|1|m|ft|abbr=on}} from the lamp. The UV dose should be calculated at the furthest distance from the lamp on the periphery of the target area. Increases in fluence can be achieved by using reflection, such that the same light passes through the medium several times before being absorbed. Aluminum has the highest reflectivity rate versus other metals and is recommended when using UV.<ref>{{cite web | vauthors = Coblentz WW, Stair R | title = Ultra-violet Reflecting Power of Aluminium and Several Other Metals. | publisher = US Government Printing Office | date = February 1930 |url=https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/jres/4/jresv4n2p189_A2b.pdf }}</ref>

In static applications the exposure time can be as long as needed for an effective UV dose to be reached. In waterflow/airflow disinfection, exposure time can be increased by increasing the illuminated volume, decreasing the fluid speed, or recirculating the air or water repeatedly through the illuminated section. This ensures multiple passes so that the UV is effective against the highest number of microorganisms and will irradiate resistant microorganisms more than once to break them down.


=== Inactivation of microorganisms === === Inactivation of microorganisms ===
]'' germicidal effectiveness curve.<ref name="Kowalski 2009"/>{{rp|at=fig 5.5}}]]
The degree of inactivation by ultraviolet radiation is directly related to the UV dose applied to the water. The dosage, a product of UV light intensity and exposure time, is usually measured in microjoules per square centimeter, or equivalently as microwatt seconds per square centimeter (µW·s/cm<sup>2</sup>)<!--1 µW·s/cm² = 10 mW·s/m² = 0.01 W·s/m², the latter might be better, giving two-digit values for the ones in this article-->. Dosages for a 90% kill of most bacteria and viruses range from 2,000 to 8,000&nbsp;µW·s/cm<sup>2</sup>. Larger parasites such as ] require a lower dose for inactivation. As a result, the ] has accepted UV disinfection as a method for drinking water plants to obtain cryptosporidium, ] or virus inactivation credits. For example, for one-decimal-logarithm reduction of cryptosporidium, a minimum dose of 2,500&nbsp;µW·s/cm<sup>2</sup> is required based on the U.S. EPA UV Guidance Manual published in 2006.<ref name="epa_lt2"/>{{rp|1–7}}
Microbes are more susceptible to certain wavelengths of UV light, a function called the germicidal effectiveness curve. The curve for E. coli is given in the figure, with the most effective UV light having a wavelength of 265 nm. This applies to most bacteria and does not change significantly for other microbes. Dosages for a 90% kill rate of most bacteria and viruses range between 2,000 and 8,000&nbsp;μJ/cm<sup>2</sup>. Larger parasites such as ''Cryptosporidium'' require a lower dose for inactivation. As a result, US EPA has accepted UV disinfection as a method for drinking water plants to obtain ''Cryptosporidium'', ''Giardia'' or virus inactivation credits. For example, for a 90% reduction of ''Cryptosporidium'', a minimum dose of 2,500&nbsp;μW·s/cm<sup>2</sup> is required based on EPA's 2006 guidance manual.<ref name="EPA LT2 UV guidance"/>{{rp|1–7}}


"]" is often misquoted as being achievable. While it is theoretically possible in a controlled environment, it is very difficult to prove and the term "disinfection" is generally used by companies offering this service as to avoid legal reprimand. Specialist companies will often advertise a certain ], e.g., 6-log reduction or 99.9999% effective, instead of sterilization. This takes into consideration a phenomenon known as light and dark repair (] and ], respectively), in which a cell can ] that has been damaged by UV light.
== Weaknesses and strengths ==
=== Advantages ===
{{Details|Disinfectant}}


== Safety ==
UV water treatment devices can be used for well water and surface water disinfection. UV treatment compares favorably with other water disinfection systems in terms of cost, labor, and the need for technically trained personnel for operation: deep tube wells fitted with hand pumps, while perhaps the simplest to operate, require expensive drilling rigs, are immobile sources, and often produce hard water that is found distasteful. ] treats larger organisms and offers residual disinfection, but these systems are expensive because they need special operator training and a steady supply of a potentially hazardous material. Finally, boiling of water is the most reliable treatment method but it demands labor, and imposes a high economic cost. UV treatment is rapid and, in terms of primary energy use, approximately 20,000 times more efficient than boiling.{{discuss|Advantages}}
]'' applies to devices that emit UV light.]]
{{see also|Ultraviolet#Human health-related effects}}


=== Drawbacks === === Skin and eye safety ===
Many UVGI systems use UV wavelengths that can be harmful to humans, resulting in both immediate and long-term effects. Acute impacts on the eyes and skin can include conditions such as ] (often termed "snow blindness") and ] (reddening of the skin), while chronic exposure may heighten the risk of ].<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Leung |first1=Kai Ching Peter |last2=Ko |first2=Tak Chuen Simon |date=January 2021 |title=Improper Use of the Germicidal Range Ultraviolet Lamp for Household Disinfection Leading to Phototoxicity in COVID-19 Suspects |url=https://journals.lww.com/10.1097/ICO.0000000000002397 |journal=Cornea |language=en |volume=40 |issue=1 |pages=121–122 |doi=10.1097/ICO.0000000000002397 |pmid=32355114 |s2cid=218475455 |issn=0277-3740}}</ref>
UV disinfection is most effective for treating a high-clarity, purified ] distilled water. Suspended particles are a problem because microorganisms buried within particles are shielded from the UV light and pass through the unit unaffected. However, UV systems can be coupled with a pre-filter to remove those larger organisms that would otherwise pass through the UV system unaffected. The pre-filter also clarifies the water to improve light transmittance and therefore UV dose throughout the entire water column. Another key factor of UV water treatment is the flow rate—if the flow is too high, water will pass through without sufficient UV exposure. If the flow is too low, heat may build up and damage the UV lamp.<ref>GADGIL,A.,1997, '''Field-testing UV Disinfection of Drinking Water''', Water Engineering Development Center, University of Loughborough,UK: LBNL 40360.</ref>


However, the safety and effects of UV vary extensively by wavelength, implying that not all UVGI systems pose the same level of hazards. Humans typically encounter UV light in the form of solar UV, which comprises significant portions of ] and ], but excludes ]. The UV-B band, able to penetrate deep into living, replicating tissue, is recognized as the most damaging and ]ic.<ref>{{Citation |last1=Urbach |first1=FREDERICK |date=1966-01-01 |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780080115764500179 |work=Carcinogenesis |pages=195–214 |editor-last=Montagna |editor-first=WILLIAM |access-date=2023-06-23 |publisher=Pergamon |language=en |doi=10.1016/b978-0-08-011576-4.50017-9 |isbn=978-0-08-011576-4 |last2=Davies |first2=RONALD E. |last3=Forbes |first3=P. DONALD |title=Ultraviolet Radiation and Skin Cancer in Man |editor2-last=Dobson |editor2-first=RICHARD L.}}</ref>
A disadvantage of the technique is that water treated by ] is resistant to reinfection, where UVGI water must be transported and delivered in such a way as to avoid contamination.


Many standard UVGI systems, such as low-pressure mercury (LP-Hg) lamps, produce broad-band emissions in the UV-C range and also peaks in the UV-B band. This often makes it challenging to attribute damaging effects to a specific wavelength.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Chaney |first1=Erin K. |last2=Sliney |first2=David H. |date=October 2005 |title=RE-EVALUATION OF THE ULTRAVIOLET HAZARD ACTION SPECTRUM–THE IMPACT OF SPECTRAL BANDWIDTH |url=http://journals.lww.com/00004032-200510000-00004 |journal=Health Physics |language=en |volume=89 |issue=4 |pages=322–332 |doi=10.1097/01.HP.0000164650.96261.9d |pmid=16155453 |s2cid=10303348 |issn=0017-9078}}</ref> Nevertheless, longer wavelengths in the UV-C band can cause conditions like photokeratitis and erythema.<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Welch |first1=David |last2=Aquino de Muro |first2=Marilena |last3=Buonanno |first3=Manuela |last4=Brenner |first4=David J. |date=September 2022 |title=Wavelength-dependent DNA Photodamage in a 3-D human Skin Model over the Far-UVC and Germicidal UVC Wavelength Ranges from 215 to 255 nm |journal=Photochemistry and Photobiology |language=en |volume=98 |issue=5 |pages=1167–1171 |doi=10.1111/php.13602 |issn=0031-8655 |pmc=9544172 |pmid=35104367}}</ref> Hence, many UVGI systems are used in settings where direct human exposure is limited, such as with upper-room UVGI air cleaners and water disinfection systems.
==Safety ==
{{Unreferenced section|date=July 2008}}
In UVGI systems the lamps are shielded or are in environments that limit exposure, such as a closed water tank or closed air circulation system, often with interlocks that automatically shut off the UV lamps if the system is opened for access by human beings.


Precautions are commonly implemented to protect users of these UVGI systems, including:
In human beings, skin exposure to germicidal wavelengths of UV light can produce sunburn and ]. Exposure of the eyes to this UV radiation can produce extremely painful inflammation of the ] and temporary or permanent ], up to and including ] in some cases. UV can damage the ] of the eye.


* ]s: Labels alert users to the dangers of UV light.
Another potential danger is the UV production of ]. Ozone can be harmful to health. The ] designated 0.05 ] (ppm) of ozone to be a safe level. Lamps designed to release UVC and higher frequencies are doped so that any UV light below 254&nbsp;nm will not be released, thus ozone is not produced. A full-spectrum lamp will release all UV wavelengths and will produce ozone as well as UVC, UVB, and UVA. (The ozone is produced when UVC hits oxygen (O<sub>2</sub>) molecules, and so is only produced when oxygen is present.)
* ]: Shielded systems, such as closed water tanks or air circulation units, often have interlocks that automatically shut off the UV lamps if the system is opened for human access. Clear viewports that block UV-C are also available.
* ]: Most protective eyewear, particularly those compliant with ANSI Z87.1, block UV-C. Similarly, clothing, plastics, and most types of glass (excluding fused silica) effectively impede UV-C.


Since the early 2010s there has been growing interest in the ] wavelengths of 200-235&nbsp;nm for whole-room exposure. These wavelengths are generally considered safer due to their limited penetration depth caused by increased ] absorption.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Yamano |first1=Nozomi |last2=Kunisada |first2=Makoto |last3=Kaidzu |first3=Sachiko |last4=Sugihara |first4=Kazunobu |last5=Nishiaki-Sawada |first5=Aiko |last6=Ohashi |first6=Hiroyuki |last7=Yoshioka |first7=Ai |last8=Igarashi |first8=Tatsushi |last9=Ohira |first9=Akihiro |last10=Tanito |first10=Masaki |last11=Nishigori |first11=Chikako |date=2020-05-31 |title=Long-term Effects of 222-nm ultraviolet radiation C Sterilizing Lamps on Mice Susceptible to Ultraviolet Radiation |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/php.13269 |journal=Photochemistry and Photobiology |volume=96 |issue=4 |pages=853–862 |doi=10.1111/php.13269 |pmid=32222977 |pmc=7497027 |s2cid=214716035 |issn=0031-8655}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Buonanno |first1=Manuela |last2=Randers-Pehrson |first2=Gerhard |last3=Bigelow |first3=Alan W. |last4=Trivedi |first4=Sheetal |last5=Lowy |first5=Franklin D. |last6=Spotnitz |first6=Henry M. |last7=Hammer |first7=Scott M. |last8=Brenner |first8=David J. |date=2013-10-16 |title=207-nm UV Light - A Promising Tool for Safe Low-Cost Reduction of Surgical Site Infections. I: In Vitro Studies |journal=PLOS ONE |language=en |volume=8 |issue=10 |pages=e76968 |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0076968 |issn=1932-6203 |pmc=3797730 |pmid=24146947 |bibcode=2013PLoSO...876968B |doi-access=free }}</ref> This feature confines far-UVC exposure to the superficial layers of ], such as the outer layer of dead skin (the ]) and the ] and ].<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Finlayson |first1=Louise |last2=Barnard |first2=Isla R. M. |last3=McMillan |first3=Lewis |last4=Ibbotson |first4=Sally H. |last5=Brown |first5=C. Tom A. |last6=Eadie |first6=Ewan |last7=Wood |first7=Kenneth |date=July 2022 |title=Depth Penetration of Light into Skin as a Function of Wavelength from 200 to 1000 nm |journal=Photochemistry and Photobiology |language=en |volume=98 |issue=4 |pages=974–981 |doi=10.1111/php.13550 |pmid=34699624 |s2cid=240001028 |issn=0031-8655|doi-access=free |hdl=10023/24371 |hdl-access=free }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Buonanno |first1=Manuela |last2=Ponnaiya |first2=Brian |last3=Welch |first3=David |last4=Stanislauskas |first4=Milda |last5=Randers-Pehrson |first5=Gerhard |last6=Smilenov |first6=Lubomir |last7=Lowy |first7=Franklin D. |last8=Owens |first8=David M. |last9=Brenner |first9=David J. |date=April 2017 |title=Germicidal Efficacy and Mammalian Skin Safety of 222-nm UV Light |journal=Radiation Research |language=en |volume=187 |issue=4 |pages=493–501 |doi=10.1667/RR0010CC.1 |issn=0033-7587 |pmc=5552051 |pmid=28225654|bibcode=2017RadR..187..493B }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Nishigori |first1=Chikako |last2=Yamano |first2=Nozomi |last3=Kunisada |first3=Makoto |last4=Nishiaki-Sawada |first4=Aiko |last5=Ohashi |first5=Hiroyuki |last6=Igarashi |first6=Tatsushi |date=March 2023 |title=Biological Impact of Shorter Wavelength Ultraviolet Radiation-C † |journal=Photochemistry and Photobiology |language=en |volume=99 |issue=2 |pages=335–343 |doi=10.1111/php.13742 |pmid=36355343 |s2cid=253445745 |issn=0031-8655|doi-access=free |hdl=20.500.14094/0100481870 |hdl-access=free }}</ref> As these tissues do not contain replicating cells, damage to them poses less carcinogenic risk. It has also been demonstrated that far-UVC does not cause erythema or damage to the cornea at levels many times that of solar UV or conventional 254&nbsp;nm UVGI systems.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Eadie |first1=Ewan |last2=Barnard |first2=Isla M. R. |last3=Ibbotson |first3=Sally H. |last4=Wood |first4=Kenneth |date=May 2021 |title=Extreme Exposure to Filtered Far-UVC: A Case Study † |journal=Photochemistry and Photobiology |language=en |volume=97 |issue=3 |pages=527–531 |doi=10.1111/php.13385 |issn=0031-8655 |pmc=8638665 |pmid=33471372}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Hickerson |first1=R.P. |last2=Conneely |first2=M.J. |last3=Hirata Tsutsumi |first3=S.K. |last4=Wood |first4=K. |last5=Jackson |first5=D.N. |last6=Ibbotson |first6=S.H. |last7=Eadie |first7=E. |date=June 2021 |title=Minimal, superficial DNA damage in human skin from filtered far-ultraviolet C |journal=British Journal of Dermatology |language=en |volume=184 |issue=6 |pages=1197–1199 |doi=10.1111/bjd.19816 |pmid=33452809 |s2cid=231621937 |issn=0007-0963|doi-access=free |hdl=10023/21655 |hdl-access=free }}</ref><ref name=":3" />
UV-C radiation is able to break down chemical bonds. This leads to rapid ] of plastics (insulations, ]) and other materials. Note that plastics sold to be "UV-resistant" are tested only for UV-B, as UV-C doesn't normally reach the surface of the Earth. When UV is used near plastic, rubber, or insulations care should be taken to shield said components; metal tape or aluminum foil will suffice.


==== Exposure limits ====
==Uses==
Exposure limits for UV, particularly the germicidal UV-C range, have evolved over time due to scientific research and changing technology. The ] (ACGIH) and the ] (ICNIRP) have set exposure limits to safeguard against both immediate and long-term effects of UV exposure.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=August 2004 |title=GUIDELINES ON LIMITS OF EXPOSURE TO ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION OF WAVELENGTHS BETWEEN 180 nm AND 400 nm (INCOHERENT OPTICAL RADIATION) |url=http://journals.lww.com/00004032-200408000-00006 |journal=Health Physics |language=en |volume=87 |issue=2 |pages=171–186 |doi=10.1097/00004032-200408000-00006 |pmid=15257218 |issn=0017-9078 |author1=International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) }}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last=ACGIH |title=2021 TLVs and BEIs: Based on the documentation of the threshold limit values for chemical and physical agents & biological exposure indices |publisher=American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists |year=2021}}</ref> These limits, also referred to as Threshold Limit Values (TLVs), form the basis for emission limits in product safety standards.


The UV-C photobiological spectral band is defined as 100–280&nbsp;nm, with limits currently applying only from 180 to 280&nbsp;nm. This reflects concerns about acute damage such as erythema and photokeratitis as well as long-term delayed effects like ]. However, with the increased safety evidence surrounding UV-C for germicidal applications, the existing ACGIH TLVs were revised in 2022.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Sliney |first1=David H. |last2=Stuck |first2=Bruce E. |date=2021-03-25 |title=A Need to Revise Human Exposure Limits for Ultraviolet UV-C Radiation <sup>†</sup> |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/php.13402 |journal=Photochemistry and Photobiology |volume=97 |issue=3 |pages=485–492 |doi=10.1111/php.13402 |pmid=33590879 |pmc=8252557 |issn=0031-8655}}</ref>
===Air disinfection===
UVGI can be used to disinfect air with prolonged exposure. Disinfection is a function of UV concentration and time, CT. For this reason, it is not as effective on moving air, when the lamp is perpendicular to the flow, as exposure times are dramatically reduced. Air purification UVGI systems can be freestanding units with shielded UV lamps that use a fan to force air past the UV light. Other systems are installed in forced air systems so that the circulation for the premises moves micro-organisms past the lamps. Key to this form of sterilization is placement of the UV lamps and a good filtration system to remove the dead micro-organisms.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.purifier.org/snapcat/iaq.pdf|title=Environmental Analysis of Indoor Air Pollution|publisher=CaluTech UV Air|accessdate=2006-12-05}}</ref> For example, forced air systems by design impede line-of-sight, thus creating areas of the environment that will be shaded from the UV light. However, a UV lamp placed at the coils and drainpans of cooling systems will keep micro-organisms from forming in these naturally damp places.


The TLVs for the 222&nbsp;nm UV-C wavelength (peak emissions from KrCl excimer lamps), following the 2022 revision, are now 161 mJ/cm<sup>2</sup> for eye exposure and 479 mJ/cm<sup>2</sup> for skin exposure over an eight-hour period.<ref name=":4">{{Cite book |last=ACGIH |title=2022 TLVs and BEIs |publisher=American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists |year=2022 |isbn=978-1-60726-152-0 |location=Cincinnati, OH}}</ref> For the 254&nbsp;nm UV wavelength, the updated exposure limit is now set at 6 mJ/cm<sup>2</sup> for eyes and 10 mJ/cm<sup>2</sup> for skin.<ref name=":4" />
ASHRAE covers UVGI and its applications in indoor air quality and building maintenance in "Ultraviolet Lamp Systems", Chapter 16 of its 2008 Handbook, ''HVAC Systems and Equipment''.
Their 2011 Handbook, ''HVAC Applications'', covers "Ultraviolet air and surface treatment" in Chapter 60.


===Water sterilization=== === Indoor air chemistry ===
UV can influence indoor air chemistry, leading to the formation of ] and other potentially harmful ]s, including ].<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Peng |first1=Zhe |last2=Miller |first2=Shelly L. |last3=Jimenez |first3=Jose L. |date=2023-01-10 |title=Model Evaluation of Secondary Chemistry due to Disinfection of Indoor Air with Germicidal Ultraviolet Lamps |journal=Environmental Science & Technology Letters |language=en |volume=10 |issue=1 |pages=6–13 |doi=10.1021/acs.estlett.2c00599 |bibcode=2023EnSTL..10....6P |s2cid=251838665 |issn=2328-8930|doi-access=free }}</ref> This occurs primarily through ], where UV ]s break ]s into smaller ] that form radicals such as OH.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Peng |first1=Zhe |last2=Jimenez |first2=Jose L. |date=2020 |title=Radical chemistry in oxidation flow reactors for atmospheric chemistry research |url=http://xlink.rsc.org/?DOI=C9CS00766K |journal=Chemical Society Reviews |language=en |volume=49 |issue=9 |pages=2570–2616 |doi=10.1039/C9CS00766K |pmid=32313911 |s2cid=216046018 |issn=0306-0012}}</ref> The radicals can react with ]s (VOCs) to produce ] VOCs (OVOCs) and ]s (SOA).<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Ziemann |first1=Paul J. |last2=Atkinson |first2=Roger |date=2012 |title=Kinetics, products, and mechanisms of secondary organic aerosol formation |url=http://xlink.rsc.org/?DOI=c2cs35122f |journal=Chemical Society Reviews |language=en |volume=41 |issue=19 |pages=6582–7105 |doi=10.1039/c2cs35122f |pmid=22940672 |issn=0306-0012}}</ref>
]


Wavelengths below 242&nbsp;nm can also generate ozone, which not only contributes to OVOCs and SOA formation but can be harmful in itself. When inhaled in high quantities, these pollutants can irritate the eyes and ] and exacerbate conditions like ].<ref>{{Cite web |last=US EPA |first=OAR |date=2015-06-05 |title=Health Effects of Ozone Pollution |url=https://www.epa.gov/ground-level-ozone-pollution/health-effects-ozone-pollution |access-date=2023-06-23 |website=www.epa.gov |language=en}}</ref>
Ultraviolet ] of water consists of a purely physical, chemical-free process. UV-C radiation attacks the vital ] of the ] directly. The bacteria lose their reproductive capability and are destroyed. Even ]s such as '']'' or '']'', which are extremely resistant to chemical disinfectants, are efficiently reduced.<ref>{{cite web | publisher =TrojanUV | year =2012 | title =Introduction to UV disinfection | url =http://www.trojanuv.com/uvdisinfection | accessdate =24 May 2012}}</ref> UV can also be used to remove chlorine and chloramine species from water ; this process is called photolysis, and requires a higher dose than normal disinfection. The sterilized microorganisms are not removed from the water. UV disinfection does not remove dissolved organics, inorganic compounds or particles in the water.<ref>HARM, W., 1980, '''Biological Effects of Ultraviolet Radiation, International Union of Pure and Applied Biophysics''', Biophysics series, Cambridge University Press.</ref> However, UV-oxidation processes can be used to simultaneously destroy trace chemical contaminants and provide high-level disinfection, such as the world's largest indirect potable reuse plant in New York which opened the ] on the eighth of October 2013.<ref name="catskill-de"/> A total of 56 energy-efficient UV reactors were installed to treat {{convert|2.2|e9USgal|m3}} a day to serve New York City.<ref name="catskill-de"></ref>


The specific pollutants produced depend on the initial air chemistry and the UV source power and wavelength. To control ozone and other indoor pollutants, ] and ] methods are used, diluting airborne pollutants and maintaining indoor air quality.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Peng |first1=Zhe |last2=Miller |first2=Shelly L. |last3=Jimenez |first3=Jose L. |date=2023-01-10 |title=Model Evaluation of Secondary Chemistry due to Disinfection of Indoor Air with Germicidal Ultraviolet Lamps |journal=Environmental Science & Technology Letters |language=en |volume=10 |issue=1 |pages=6–13 |doi=10.1021/acs.estlett.2c00599 |bibcode=2023EnSTL..10....6P |s2cid=251838665 |issn=2328-8930|doi-access=free }}</ref>
It used to be thought that UV disinfection was more effective for bacteria and viruses, which have more exposed genetic material, than for larger pathogens that have outer coatings or that form cyst states (e.g., ]) that shield their ] from the UV light. However, it was recently discovered that ultraviolet radiation can be somewhat effective for treating the microorganism ]. The findings resulted in the use of UV radiation as a viable method to treat drinking water. Giardia in turn has been shown to be very susceptible to UV-C when the tests were based on infectivity rather than excystation.<ref>{{Cite journal | title = Inactivation of Giardia muris by low pressure ultraviolet light | author = Ware, M. W. et al. | publisher = ] | format = PDF | url = http://www.epa.gov/nerl/news/forum2003/water/ware_poster.pdf | accessdate = 2008-12-28 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20080227143624/http://www.epa.gov/nerl/news/forum2003/water/ware_poster.pdf |archivedate = 27 February 2008}}</ref> It has been found that ] are able to survive high UV-C doses but are sterilized at low doses.


===UV tube project === === Polymer damage ===
UVC radiation is able to break chemical bonds. This leads to rapid ] of plastics and other material, and insulation and ]s. Plastics sold as "UV-resistant" are tested only for the lower-energy UVB since UVC does not normally reach the surface of the Earth.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Irving D, Lamprou DA, Maclean M, MacGregor SJ, Anderson JG, Grant MH |title=A comparison of the degradative effects and safety implications of UVC and 405 nm germicidal light sources for endoscope storage |journal=Polymer Degradation and Stability |date=November 2016 |volume=133 |pages=249–254 |doi=10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2016.09.006 |doi-access=free}}</ref> When UV is used near plastic, rubber, or insulation, these materials may be protected by metal tape or aluminum foil.
The ''UV Tube'' is a design concept for providing inexpensive water disinfection to people in poor countries. The concept is based on the ability of ultraviolet light to kill infectious agents by disrupting their ]. It was initially developed under an ] model at the ] at the ]. The form and composition of the UV Tube can vary depending on the resources available and the preferences of those building and using the device. However, certain geometric parameters must be maintained to ensure consistent performance. Several different versions of the UV Tube are currently being used in multiple locations in ] and ].


== Applications ==
===Wastewater treatment===
=== Air disinfection ===
Ultraviolet in ] is replacing ] due to the chlorine's toxic by-products. Individual wastestreams to be treated by UVGI must be tested to ensure that the method will be effective due to potential interferences such as ], dyes, or other substances that may block or absorb the UV radiation. According to the ], "UV units to treat small batches (1 to several liters) or low flows (1 to several liters per minute) of water at the community level are estimated to have costs of US$20 per megalitre, including the cost of electricity and consumables and the annualized capital cost of the unit".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/dwq/wsh0207/en/index4.html |publisher=WHO |work=Water, sanitation and health |title=Drinking water quality }}</ref>
UVGI can be used to disinfect air with prolonged exposure. In the 1930s and 40s, an experiment in public schools in Philadelphia showed that upper-room ultraviolet fixtures could significantly reduce the transmission of ] among students.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Wells WF, Wells MW, Wilder TS |date=January 1942 |title=The environmental control of epidemic contagion. I. An epidemiologic study of radiant disinfection of air in day schools |url= https://ghdcenter.hms.harvard.edu/files/ghd_dubai/files/wells_1942.pdf |journal=American Journal of Epidemiology |volume=35 |issue=1 |pages=97–121 |doi=10.1093/oxfordjournals.aje.a118789 |access-date=2020-11-25}}</ref>


UV and violet light are able to neutralize the infectivity of ].<ref name = Biasin2022>{{cite journal | vauthors = Biasin M, Strizzi S, Bianco A, Macchi A, Utyro O, Pareschi G, Loffreda A, Cavalleri A, Lualdi M, Trabattoni D, Tacchetti C, Mazza D, Clerici M | display-authors = 6 | title = UV and violet light can Neutralize SARS-CoV-2 Infectivity | journal = Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology | volume = 10 | pages = 100107 | date = June 2022 | pmid = 35036965 | pmc = 8741330 | doi = 10.1016/j.jpap.2021.100107 }}</ref> ] usually found in the ] of COVID-19 patients are completely inactivated by levels of ] irradiation that are similar to those levels experienced from ]. This finding suggests that the reduced incidence of SARS-COV-2 in the summer may be, in part, due to the neutralizing activity of solar UV irradiation.<ref name = Biasin2022/>
Large-scale urban ] wastewater treatment is performed in cities such as ]. The use of ultraviolet light has now become standard practice in most municipal wastewater treatment processes. Effluent is now starting to be recognised as a valuable resource, not a problem that needs to be dumped. Many wastewater facilities are being renamed as water reclamation facilities, and whether the waste water is being discharged into a river, being used to irrigate crops, or injected into an aquifer for later recovery. Ultraviolet light is now being used to ensure water is free from harmful organisms.


Various UV-emitting devices can be used for SARS-CoV-2 disinfection, and these devices may help in reducing the spread of infection.<ref name = Ma2021>{{cite journal | vauthors = Ma B, Gundy PM, Gerba CP, Sobsey MD, Linden KG | title = UV Inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 across the UVC Spectrum: KrCl* Excimer, Mercury-Vapor, and Light-Emitting-Diode (LED) Sources | journal = Applied and Environmental Microbiology | volume = 87 | issue = 22 | pages = e0153221 | date = October 2021 | pmid = 34495736 | pmc = 8552892 | doi = 10.1128/AEM.01532-21 | veditors = Dudley EG | bibcode = 2021ApEnM..87E1532M }}</ref> SARS-CoV-2 can be inactivated by a wide range of UVC wavelengths, and the wavelength of 222&nbsp;nm provides the most effective disinfection performance.<ref name = Ma2021/>
===Aquarium and pond===
Ultraviolet sterilizers are often used in aquaria and ponds to help control unwanted microorganisms in the water. Continuous sterilization of the water neutralizes single-cell algae and thereby increases water clarity. UV irradiation also ensures that exposed pathogens cannot reproduce, thus decreasing the likelihood of a disease outbreak in an aquarium. UV irradiation can also have a positive impact on an aquarium's redox balance.


Disinfection is a function of UV intensity and time. For this reason, it is in theory not as effective on moving air, or when the lamp is perpendicular to the flow, as exposure times are dramatically reduced. However, numerous professional and scientific publications have indicated that the overall effectiveness of UVGI actually increases when used in conjunction with fans and HVAC ventilation, which facilitate whole-room circulation that exposes more air to the UV source.<ref>{{cite web |publisher=Illuminating Engineering Society |date=5 May 2020 |work=IES Committee Reports |access-date=14 September 2020 |url=https://media.ies.org/docs/standards/IES%20CR-2-20-V1a-20200507.pdf |title=Frequently Asked Questions}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Ko G, First MW, Burge HA | title = The characterization of upper-room ultraviolet germicidal irradiation in inactivating airborne microorganisms | journal = Environmental Health Perspectives | volume = 110 | issue = 1 | pages = 95–101 | date = January 2002 | pmid = 11781170 | pmc = 1240698 | doi = 10.1289/ehp.0211095 }}</ref> Air purification UVGI systems can be free-standing units with shielded UV lamps that use a fan to force air past the UV light. Other systems are installed in forced air systems so that the circulation for the premises moves microorganisms past the lamps. Key to this form of sterilization is placement of the UV lamps and a good filtration system to remove the dead microorganisms.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.purifier.org/snapcat/iaq.pdf |title=Environmental Analysis of Indoor Air Pollution |publisher=CaluTech UV Air |access-date=2006-12-05}}</ref> For example, forced air systems by design impede line-of-sight, thus creating areas of the environment that will be shaded from the UV light. However, a UV lamp placed at the coils and drain pans of cooling systems will keep microorganisms from forming in these naturally damp places.<ref>{{Cite web |title=UV coil cleaners |url=https://www.puravent.co.uk/blog/post/UV%20coil%20cleaners |access-date=2024-11-15 |website=www.puravent.co.uk |language=en}}</ref>
Aquarium and pond sterilizers are typically small, with fittings for tubing that allows the water to flow through the sterilizer on its way from a separate external filter or water pump. Within the sterilizer, water flows as close as possible to the ultraviolet light source.
Water pre-filtration is critical as water turbidity lowers UVC penetration.
Many of the better UV sterilizers have long dwell times and limit the space between the UVC source and the inside wall of the UV sterilizer device.<ref>{{cite web |title=UV sterilization; aquarium and pond |publisher=American Aquarium Products |url=http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/AquariumUVSterilization.html }}</ref>{{rs-inline}}


=== Water disinfection ===
===Laboratory hygiene===
]
UVGI is often used to disinfect equipment such as safety ], instruments, ], and other devices. Lab personnel also disinfects glassware and plasticware this way. Microbiology laboratories use UVGI to disinfect surfaces inside ] ("hoods") between uses.
]


Ultraviolet disinfection of water is a purely physical, chemical-free process. Even ]s such as '']'' or '']'', which are extremely resistant to chemical disinfectants, are efficiently reduced. UV can also be used to remove chlorine and chloramine species from water; this process is called ], and requires a higher dose than normal disinfection. The dead microorganisms are not removed from the water. UV disinfection does not remove dissolved organics, inorganic compounds or particles in the water.<ref>{{cite book | vauthors = Harm W | date = 1980 | title = Biological Effects of Ultraviolet Radiation, International Union of Pure and Applied Biophysics | series = Biophysics Series | publisher = Cambridge University Press | isbn = 978-0-521-22121-4 }} {{page needed|date=June 2017}}</ref> The world's largest water disinfection plant treats drinking water for ]. The ], commissioned on 8 October 2013, incorporates a total of 56 energy-efficient UV reactors treating up to {{convert|2.2|e9gal|e9l|abbr=off|sp=us}} a day.<ref name="catskill-de">
===Food and beverage protection===
{{cite web |url=http://www.nyc.gov/html/dep/html/dep_projects/cp_catskill_delaware_uv_plant.shtml |title=Catskill-Delaware Water Ultraviolet Disinfection Facility |publisher=New York City Department of Environmental Protection (NYCDEP) |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120906070020/http://www.nyc.gov/html/dep/html/dep_projects/cp_catskill_delaware_uv_plant.shtml |archive-date=September 6, 2012 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.trojantechnologies.com/blog/nyc-catskill-delaware-uv-facility-opening-ceremony/ |title=NYC Catskill-Delaware UV Facility Opening Ceremony |publisher=Trojan Technologies |location=London, ON |archive-date=2015-06-13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150613222036/http://www.trojantechnologies.com/nyc-catskill-delaware-uv-facility-opening-ceremony/}}</ref>
Since the U.S. ] issued a rule in 2001 requiring that virtually all ] and ] producers follow ] controls, and mandating a ] in pathogens, UVGI has seen some use in sterilization of fresh juices such as fresh-pressed ].


Ultraviolet can also be combined with ozone or hydrogen peroxide to produce hydroxyl radicals to break down trace contaminants through an ].
== Technology ==
{{duplication|date=April 2013}}
===Lamps===
] in a ] form factor]]
{{Main|Germicidal lamp}}
Germicidal UV is delivered by a ] that emits UV at the germicidal wavelength. Mercury vapour emits at 254&nbsp;nm. Many germicidal UV bulbs use special ]s to regulate electrical current flow to the bulbs, similar to those needed for fluorescent lights. In some cases, UVGI electrodeless lamps can be energised with microwaves, giving very long stable life and other advantages{{clarify|date=August 2012}}. This is known as "Microwave UV".


It used to be thought that UV disinfection was more effective for bacteria and viruses, which have more-exposed genetic material, than for larger pathogens that have outer coatings or that form cyst states (e.g., ''Giardia'') that shield their DNA from UV light. However, it was recently discovered that ultraviolet radiation can be somewhat effective for treating the microorganism ''Cryptosporidium''. The findings resulted in the use of UV radiation as a viable method to treat drinking water. ''Giardia'' in turn has been shown to be very susceptible to UV-C when the tests were based on infectivity rather than excystation.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Inactivation of Giardia muris by low pressure ultraviolet light | vauthors = Ware MW, Schaefer III FW, Hayes SL, Rice EW |publisher=EPA |url=http://www.epa.gov/nerl/news/forum2003/water/ware_poster.pdf |access-date=2008-12-28 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080227143624/http://www.epa.gov/nerl/news/forum2003/water/ware_poster.pdf |archive-date=27 February 2008 }}</ref> It has been found that ] are able to survive high UV-C doses but are sterilized at low doses.
Lamps are either amalgam or medium pressure lamps. Each type has specific strengths and weaknesses.


UV water treatment devices can be used for well water and surface water disinfection. UV treatment compares favourably with other water disinfection systems in terms of cost, labour and the need for technically trained personnel for operation. ] treats larger organisms and offers residual disinfection, but these systems are expensive because they need special operator training and a steady supply of a potentially hazardous material. Finally, boiling of water is the most reliable treatment method but it demands labour and imposes a high economic cost. UV treatment is rapid and, in terms of primary energy use, approximately 20,000 times more efficient than boiling.{{citation needed|date=May 2015}}
;Low-pressure UV lamps
: These offer high efficiencies (approx 35% UVC) but lower power, typically 1 W/cm power density (power per unit of arc length).
;Amalgam UV lamps
: A high-power version of low-pressure lamps. They operate at higher temperatures and have a lifetime of up to 16,000 hours. Their efficiency is slightly lower than that of traditional low-pressure lamps (approx 33% UVC output) and power density is approximately 2–3 W/cm.
;Medium-pressure UV
: These lamps have a broad and pronounced peak-line spectrum and a high radiation output but lower UVC efficiency of 10% or less. Typical power density is 30 W/cm³ or greater.


UV disinfection is most effective for treating high-clarity, purified ] distilled water. Suspended particles are a problem because microorganisms buried within particles are shielded from the UV light and pass through the unit unaffected. However, UV systems can be coupled with a pre-filter to remove those larger organisms that would otherwise pass through the UV system unaffected. The pre-filter also clarifies the water to improve light transmittance and therefore UV dose throughout the entire water column. Another key factor of UV water treatment is the flow rate—if the flow is too high, water will pass through without sufficient UV exposure. If the flow is too low, heat may build up and damage the UV lamp.<ref>{{cite book | vauthors = Gadgil A, Drescher A, Greene D, Miller P, Motau C, Stevens F | title = Field-testing UV disinfection of drinking water. | publisher = Lawrence Berkeley National Lab. (LBNL) | location = Berkeley, CA (United States) | date = September 1997 | osti = 319881 | url = https://www.osti.gov/biblio/319881 }}</ref> A disadvantage of UVGI is that while water treated by chlorination is resistant to reinfection (until the chlorine off-gasses), UVGI water is not resistant to reinfection. UVGI water must be transported or delivered in such a way as to avoid reinfection.{{citation needed|date=September 2024}}
Depending on the quartz glass used for the lamp body, low-pressure and amalgam UV lamps emit light at 254&nbsp;nm and 185&nbsp;nm (for oxidation).


A 2006 project at ] produced a design for inexpensive water disinfection in resource deprived settings.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uvtube.berkeley.edu/home|title=Household UV disinfection: A sustainable option - UV-Tube}}</ref> The project was designed to produce an open source design that could be adapted to meet local conditions. In a somewhat similar proposal in 2014, Australian students designed a system using potato chip (crisp) packet foil to reflect ] into a glass tube that disinfects water without power.<ref>{{cite web | vauthors = Mills R | date = September 2014 |url=http://phys.org/news/2014-09-chip-packets-safer-papua-guinea.html|title=Chip packets help make safer water in Papua New Guinea}}</ref>
185&nbsp;nm light is used to generate ].


==== Modeling ====
The UV units for water treatment consist of a specialized low pressure mercury vapor lamp that produces ] at 254&nbsp;nm, or medium pressure UV lamps that produce a polychromatic output from 200&nbsp;nm to visible and infrared energy. The optimal wavelengths for disinfection are close to 260&nbsp;nm.<ref name="epa_lt2" />{{rp|2–6}} Medium pressure lamps are approximately 12% efficient, whilst amalgam low-pressure lamps can be up to 40% efficient. The UV lamp never contacts the water, it is either housed in a quartz glass sleeve inside the water chamber or mounted external to the water which flows through the transparent UV tube. It is mounted so that water can pass through a flow chamber, and UV rays are admitted and absorbed by the stream.<ref>{{cite journal |author=Wolfe, R.L. |year=1990 |title=Ultraviolet disinfection of potable water |journal=Env. Sci. and Technology |volume=24 |issue=6 |pages=768-773}}</ref>
Sizing of a UV system is affected by three variables: flow rate, lamp power, and UV transmittance in the water. Manufacturers typically developed sophisticated ] (CFD) models validated with ] testing. This involves testing the UV reactor's disinfection performance with either ] or T1 ]s at various flow rates, UV transmittance, and power levels in order to develop a regression model for system sizing. For example, this is a requirement for all ]s in the United States per the EPA UV manual.<ref name="EPA LT2 UV guidance"/>{{rp|5-2}}


The flow profile is produced from the chamber geometry, flow rate, and particular turbulence model selected. The radiation profile is developed from inputs such as water quality, lamp type (power, germicidal efficiency, spectral output, arc length), and the transmittance and dimension of the quartz sleeve. Proprietary CFD software simulates both the flow and radiation profiles. Once the 3D model of the chamber is built, it is populated with a grid or mesh that comprises thousands of small cubes.
===Water treatment systems===
Sizing of a UV system is affected by three variables: flow rate, lamp power, and UV transmittance in the water. UV manufacturers typically developed sophisticated ] (CFD) models validated with ] testing. This typically involves testing the UV reactor's disinfection performance with either ] or T1 ]s at various flow rates, UV transmittance, and power levels in order to develop a regression model for system sizing. For example, this is a requirement for all drinking water systems in the United States per the U.S. EPA UV Guidance Manual.<ref name="epa_lt2">{{Cite web |title=Ultraviolet disinfection guidance manual for the final long term 2 enhanced surface water treatment rule |url=http://www.epa.gov/ogwdw000/disinfection/lt2/pdfs/guide_lt2_uvguidance.pdf |format=PDF |accessdate=30 January 2011 |date=November 2006 |publisher=United States Environmental Protection Agency |location=Washington, DC }}
</ref>{{rp|5-2}}


Points of interest—such as at a bend, on the quartz sleeve surface, or around the wiper mechanism—use a higher resolution mesh, whilst other areas within the reactor use a coarse mesh. Once the mesh is produced, hundreds of thousands of virtual particles are "fired" through the chamber. Each particle has several variables of interest associated with it, and the particles are "harvested" after the reactor. Discrete phase modeling produces delivered dose, head loss, and other chamber-specific parameters.
The flow profile is produced from the chamber geometry, flow rate, and particular turbulence model selected. The radiation profile is developed from inputs such as water quality, lamp type (power, germicidal efficiency, spectral output, arc length), and the transmittance and dimension of the quartz sleeve. Proprietary CFD software simulates both the flow and radiation profiles. Once the 3D model of the chamber is built, it's populated with a grid or mesh that comprises thousands of small cubes.


When the modeling phase is complete, selected systems are validated using a professional third party to provide oversight and to determine how closely the model is able to predict the reality of system performance. System validation uses non-pathogenic surrogates such as MS 2 phage or '']'' to determine the '''Reduction Equivalent Dose''' <!--bold because target of redirect--> (RED) ability of the reactors. Most systems are validated to deliver 40&nbsp;mJ/cm<sup>2</sup> within an envelope of flow and transmittance.<ref>{{cite web |title=UV Dose & System Selection—Sizing UV Systems and Calculating the Correct Wavelength for Disinfection |publisher=2022 Evoqua Water Technologies LLC |date= 2022 |url=https://www.evoqua.com/en/articles/uv-dose--system-selection/ |access-date=September 12, 2022}}</ref>
Points of interest—such as at a bend, on the quartz sleeve surface, or around the wiper mechanism—use a higher resolution mesh, whilst other areas within the reactor use a coarse mesh. Once the mesh is produced, hundreds of thousands of virtual particles are "fired" through the chamber. Each particle has several variables of interest associated with it, and the particles are "harvested" after the reactor. Discrete phase modeling produces delivered dose, headless, and other chamber specific parameters.


To validate effectiveness in drinking water systems, the method described in the EPA UV guidance manual is typically used by US water utilities, whilst Europe has adopted Germany's DVGW 294 standard. For wastewater systems, the NWRI/AwwaRF Ultraviolet Disinfection Guidelines for Drinking Water and Water Reuse protocols are typically used, especially in waste] applications.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Treatment technology report for recycled water |url=http://www.cdph.ca.gov/certlic/drinkingwater/Documents/DWdocuments/treatmenttechnology.pdf |access-date=30 January 2011 |date=January 2007 |publisher=California Division of Drinking Water and Environmental Management |page={{page needed|date=January 2011}}}}</ref>
When the modeling phase is complete, selected systems are validated using a professional third party to provide oversight and to determine how closely the model is able to predict the reality of system performance. System validation uses non-pathogenic surrogates to determine the Reduction Equivalent Dose (RED) ability of the reactors. Most systems are validated to deliver 40&nbsp;mJ/cm<sup>2</sup> within an envelope of flow and transmittance.


=== Wastewater treatment ===
To validate effectiveness in drinking water systems, the methods described in the US EPA UV Guidance Manual is typically used by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, whilst Europe has adopted Germany's DVGW 294 standard. For wastewater systems, the NWRI/AwwaRF Ultraviolet Disinfection Guidelines for Drinking Water and Water Reuse protocols are typically used, especially in wastewater reuse applications.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Treatment technology report for recycled water |url=http://www.cdph.ca.gov/certlic/drinkingwater/Documents/DWdocuments/treatmenttechnology.pdf |format=PDF |accessdate=30 January 2011 |date=January 2007 |publisher=State Of California Division of Drinking Water and Environmental Management |page={{page needed|date=January 2011}} }}</ref>
] in ] is commonly replacing chlorination. This is in large part because of concerns that reaction of the chlorine with organic compounds in the waste water stream could synthesize potentially toxic and long lasting ] and also because of the ]s of storing chlorine gas or chlorine containing chemicals. Individual wastestreams to be treated by UVGI must be tested to ensure that the method will be effective due to potential interferences such as ], dyes, or other substances that may block or absorb the UV radiation. According to the ], "UV units to treat small batches (1 to several liters) or low flows (1 to several liters per minute) of water at the community level are estimated to have costs of US$20 per megaliter, including the cost of electricity and consumables and the annualized capital cost of the unit."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/dwq/wsh0207/en/index4.html |publisher=WHO |work=Water, sanitation and health |title=Drinking water quality |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081002081406/http://www.who.int/water_sanitation_health/dwq/wsh0207/en/index4.html |archive-date=2008-10-02 }}</ref>


Large-scale urban UV ] is performed in cities such as ]. The use of ultraviolet light has now become standard practice in most municipal wastewater treatment processes. Effluent is now starting to be recognized as a valuable resource, not a problem that needs to be dumped. Many wastewater facilities are being renamed as water reclamation facilities, whether the wastewater is discharged into a river, used to irrigate crops, or injected into an aquifer for later recovery. Ultraviolet light is now being used to ensure water is free from harmful organisms.
UV systems destined for drinking water applications are validated using a third-party test house to demonstrate system capability, and usually a non pathogenic surrogate such as MS 2 phage or '']'' is used to verify actual system performance. UV manufacturers have verified the performance of a number of reactors, in each case iteratively improving the predictive models.


=== Aquarium and pond ===
==UV dosing==
Ultraviolet sterilizers are often used to help control unwanted microorganisms in aquaria and ponds. UV irradiation ensures that pathogens cannot reproduce, thus decreasing the likelihood of a disease outbreak in an aquarium.
One method for gauging UV effectiveness is to compute UV dose. The U.S. EPA publishes UV dosage guidelines.<ref></ref>


Aquarium and pond sterilizers are typically small, with fittings for tubing that allows the water to flow through the sterilizer on its way from a separate external filter or water pump. Within the sterilizer, water flows as close as possible to the ultraviolet light source. Water pre-filtration is critical as water turbidity lowers UV-C penetration.
Dosage involves the following parameters:
Many of the better UV sterilizers have long dwell times and limit the space between the UV-C source and the inside wall of the UV sterilizer device.<ref>{{cite web |title=UV sterilization; aquarium and pond |publisher=American Aquarium Products |url=http://www.americanaquariumproducts.com/AquariumUVSterilization.html }}</ref>{{third-party inline|date=May 2015}}
* Flow rate (reflecting contact time)
* Transmittance (reflects light reaching the target)
* Turbidity ("cloudiness")
* Lamp age (reflects reduction in UV intensity)
* Lamp ]
* Percentage of active lamps (reflects lamp outages in each lamp bank)


=== Laboratory hygiene ===
==See also==
UVGI is often used to disinfect equipment such as safety ], instruments, ], and other devices. Lab personnel also disinfect glassware and plasticware this way. Microbiology laboratories use UVGI to disinfect surfaces inside ] ("hoods") between uses.
*]
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* ]
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=== Food and beverage protection ===
==References==
Since the U.S. ] issued a rule in 2001 requiring that virtually all ] and ] producers follow ] controls, and mandating a 5-] in pathogens, UVGI has seen some use in sterilization of juices such as fresh-pressed.
<references/>


==External links== == UV Sources ==
{{Main article|Germicidal lamp}}
] compared to '']'' germicidal effectiveness curve.<ref name="Kowalski 2009"/>{{rp|at=fig 2.1}}]]

=== Mercury vapor lamps ===
] in a ] form factor]]

Germicidal UV for disinfection is most typically generated by a ]. Low-pressure mercury vapor has a strong emission line at 254&nbsp;nm, which is within the range of wavelengths that demonstrate strong disinfection effect. The optimal wavelengths for disinfection are close to 260&nbsp;nm.<ref name="EPA LT2 UV guidance"/>{{rp|2-6, 2-14}}

Mercury vapor lamps may be categorized as either low-pressure (including amalgam) or medium-pressure lamps. Low-pressure UV lamps offer high efficiencies (approx. 35% UV-C) but lower power, typically 1&nbsp;W/cm power density (power per unit of arc length). Amalgam UV lamps utilize an amalgam to control mercury pressure to allow operation at a somewhat higher temperature and power density. They operate at higher temperatures and have a lifetime of up to 16,000 hours. Their efficiency is slightly lower than that of traditional low-pressure lamps (approx. 33% UV-C output), and power density is approximately 2–3&nbsp;W/cm<sup>3</sup>. Medium-pressure UV lamps operate at much higher temperatures, up to about 800 degrees Celsius, and have a polychromatic output spectrum and a high radiation output but lower UV-C efficiency of 10% or less. Typical power density is 30&nbsp;W/cm<sup>3</sup> or greater.

Depending on the quartz glass used for the lamp body, low-pressure and amalgam UV emit radiation at 254&nbsp;nm and also at 185&nbsp;nm, which has chemical effects. UV radiation at 185&nbsp;nm is used to generate ozone.

The UV lamps for water treatment consist of specialized low-pressure mercury-vapor lamps that produce ultraviolet radiation at 254&nbsp;nm, or medium-pressure UV lamps that produce a ] output from 200&nbsp;nm to visible and infrared energy. The UV lamp never contacts the water; it is either housed in a quartz glass sleeve inside the water chamber or mounted externally to the water, which flows through the transparent UV tube. Water passing through the flow chamber is exposed to UV rays, which are absorbed by suspended solids, such as microorganisms and dirt, in the stream.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors = Wolfe RL |year=1990 |title=Ultraviolet disinfection of potable water |journal= Environmental Science & Technology|volume=24 |issue=6 |pages=768–773|bibcode=1990EnST...24..768W |doi=10.1021/es00076a001 }}</ref>

=== LEDs ===
]
Recent developments in ] have led to commercially available UV-C LEDs. UV-C LEDs use semiconductors to emit light between 255&nbsp;nm and 280&nbsp;nm.<ref name="Messina 2015" /> The wavelength emission is tuneable by adjusting the material of the semiconductor. {{As of|2019}}, the electrical-to-UV-C conversion efficiency of LEDs was lower than that of mercury lamps. The reduced size of LEDs opens up options for small reactor systems allowing for point-of-use applications and integration into medical devices.<ref name="Hessling et al 2016">{{Cite journal | vauthors = Hessling M, Gross A, Hoenes K, Rath M, Stangl F, Tritschler H, Sift M |date=2016-01-27|title=Efficient Disinfection of Tap and Surface Water with Single High Power 285&nbsp;nm LED and Square Quartz Tube |journal=Photonics |language=en |volume=3 |issue=1 |pages=7 |doi=10.3390/photonics3010007 |bibcode=2016Photo...3....7H |doi-access=free }}</ref> Low power consumption of semiconductors introduce UV disinfection systems that utilized small solar cells in remote or Third World applications.<ref name="Hessling et al 2016" />

UV-C LEDs don't necessarily last longer than traditional germicidal lamps in terms of hours used, instead having more-variable engineering characteristics and better tolerance for short-term operation. A UV-C LED can achieve a longer installed time than a traditional germicidal lamp in intermittent use. Likewise, LED degradation increases with heat, while filament and HID lamp output wavelength is dependent on temperature, so engineers can design LEDs of a particular size and cost to have a higher output and faster degradation or a lower output and slower decline over time.

== See also ==
* ] filter
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* ]
* ]
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== References ==
{{reflist}}

== External links ==
{{Wiktionary|sanitation}} {{Wiktionary|sanitation}}
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Latest revision as of 11:10, 15 November 2024

Disinfection method using ultraviolet light
A low-pressure mercury-vapor discharge tube floods the inside of a biosafety cabinet with shortwave UV light when not in use, killing microbes on irradiated surfaces.

Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) is a disinfection technique employing ultraviolet (UV) light, particularly UV-C (180–280 nm), to kill or inactivate microorganisms. UVGI primarily inactivates microbes by damaging their genetic material, thereby inhibiting their capacity to carry out vital functions.

The use of UVGI extends to an array of applications, encompassing food, surface, air, and water disinfection. UVGI devices can inactivate microorganisms including bacteria, viruses, fungi, molds, and other pathogens. Recent studies have substantiated the ability of UV-C light to inactivate SARS-CoV-2, the strain of coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

UV-C wavelengths demonstrate varied germicidal efficacy and effects on biological tissue. Many germicidal lamps like low-pressure mercury (LP-Hg) lamps, with peak emissions around 254 nm, contain UV wavelengths that can be hazardous to humans. As a result, UVGI systems have been primarily limited to applications where people are not directly exposed, including hospital surface disinfection, upper-room UVGI, and water treatment. More recently, the application of wavelengths between 200-235 nm, often referred to as far-UVC, has gained traction for surface and air disinfection. These wavelengths are regarded as much safer due to their significantly reduced penetration into human tissue.

Notably, UV-C light is virtually absent in sunlight reaching the Earth's surface due to the absorptive properties of the ozone layer within the atmosphere.

History

Origins of UV germicidal action

The development of UVGI traces back to 1878 when Arthur Downes and Thomas Blunt found that sunlight, particularly its shorter wavelengths, hindered microbial growth. Expanding upon this work, Émile Duclaux, in 1885, identified variations in sunlight sensitivity among different bacterial species. A few years later, in 1890, Robert Koch demonstrated the lethal effect of sunlight on Mycobacterium tuberculosis, hinting at UVGI's potential for combating diseases like tuberculosis.

Subsequent studies further defined the wavelengths most efficient for germicidal inactivation. In 1892, it was noted that the UV segment of sunlight had the most potent bactericidal effect. Research conducted in the early 1890s demonstrated the superior germicidal efficacy of UV-C compared to UV-A and UV-B.

The mutagenic effects of UV were first unveiled in a 1914 study that observed metabolic changes in Bacillus anthracis upon exposure to sublethal doses of UV. Frederick Gates, in the late 1920s, offered the first quantitative bactericidal action spectra for Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus coli, noting peak effectiveness at 265 nm. This matched the absorption spectrum of nucleic acids, hinting at DNA damage as the key factor in bacterial inactivation. This understanding was solidified by the 1960s through research demonstrating the ability of UV-C to form thymine dimers, leading to microbial inactivation. These early findings collectively laid the groundwork for modern UVGI as a disinfection tool.

UVGI for air disinfection

The utilization of UVGI for air disinfection began in earnest in the mid-1930s. William F. Wells demonstrated in 1935 that airborne infectious organisms, specifically aerosolized B. coli exposed to 254 nm UV, could be rapidly inactivated. This built upon earlier theories of infectious droplet nuclei transmission put forth by Carl Flügge and Wells himself. Prior to this, UV radiation had been studied predominantly in the context of liquid or solid media, rather than airborne microbes.

Shortly after Wells' initial experiments, high-intensity UVGI was employed to disinfect a hospital operating room at Duke University in 1936. The method proved a success, reducing postoperative wound infections from 11.62% without the use of UVGI to 0.24% with the use of UVGI. Soon, this approach was extended to other hospitals and infant wards using UVGI "light curtains", designed to prevent respiratory cross-infections, with noticeable success.

Adjustments in the application of UVGI saw a shift from "light curtains" to upper-room UVGI, confining germicidal irradiation above human head level. Despite its dependency on good vertical air movement, this approach yielded favorable outcomes in preventing cross-infections. This was exemplified by Wells' successful usage of upper-room UVGI between 1937 and 1941 to curtail the spread of measles in suburban Philadelphia day schools. His study found that 53.6% of susceptibles in schools without UVGI became infected, while only 13.3% of susceptibles in schools with UVGI were infected.

Richard L. Riley, initially a student of Wells, continued the study of airborne infection and UVGI throughout the 1950s and 60s, conducting significant experiments in a Veterans Hospital TB ward. Riley successfully demonstrated that UVGI could efficiently inactivate airborne pathogens and prevent the spread of tuberculosis.

Despite initial successes, the use of UVGI declined in the second half of the 20th century era due to various factors, including a rise in alternative infection control and prevention methods, inconsistent efficacy results, and concerns regarding its safety and maintenance requirements. However, recent events like a rise in multiple drug-resistant bacteria and the COVID-19 pandemic have renewed interest in UVGI for air disinfection.

UVGI for water treatment

Using UV light for disinfection of drinking water dates back to 1910 in Marseille, France. The prototype plant was shut down after a short time due to poor reliability. In 1955, UV water treatment systems were applied in Austria and Switzerland; by 1985 about 1,500 plants were employed in Europe. In 1998 it was discovered that protozoa such as cryptosporidium and giardia were more vulnerable to UV light than previously thought; this opened the way to wide-scale use of UV water treatment in North America. By 2001, over 6,000 UV water treatment plants were operating in Europe.

Over time, UV costs have declined as researchers develop and use new UV methods to disinfect water and wastewater. Several countries have published regulations and guidance for the use of UV to disinfect drinking water supplies, including the US and the UK.

Method of operation

UV light is electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths shorter than visible light but longer than X-rays. UV is categorised into several wavelength ranges, with short-wavelength UV (UV-C) considered "germicidal UV". Wavelengths between about 200 nm and 300 nm are strongly absorbed by nucleic acids. The absorbed energy can result in defects including pyrimidine dimers. These dimers can prevent replication or can prevent the expression of necessary proteins, resulting in the death or inactivation of the organism. Recently, it has been shown that these dimers are fluorescent.

  • Mercury-based lamps operating at low vapor pressure emit UV light at the 253.7 nm line.
  • Ultraviolet light-emitting diode (UV-C LED) lamps emit UV light at selectable wavelengths between 255 and 280 nm.
  • Pulsed-xenon lamps emit UV light across the entire UV spectrum with a peak emission near 230 nm.

This process is similar to, but stronger than, the effect of longer wavelengths (UV-B) producing sunburn in humans. Microorganisms have less protection against UV and cannot survive prolonged exposure to it.

A UVGI system is designed to expose environments such as water tanks, rooms and forced air systems to germicidal UV. Exposure comes from germicidal lamps that emit germicidal UV at the correct wavelength, thus irradiating the environment. The forced flow of air or water through this environment ensures exposure of that air or water.

Effectiveness

The effectiveness of germicidal UV depends on the UV dose, i.e. how much UV light reaches the microbe (measured as radiant exposure) and how susceptible the microbe is to the given wavelength(s) of UV light, defined by the germicidal effectiveness curve.

UV Dose

The UV dose is measured in light energy per area, i.e. radiant exposure or fluence. The fluence a microbe is exposed to is the product of the light intensity, i.e. irradiance and the time of exposure, according to:

UV dose (μJ/cm) = UV intensity (μW/cm) × exposure time (seconds)

Likewise, the irradiance depends on the brightness (radiant intensity, W/sr) of the UV source, the distance between the UV source and the microbe, the attenuation of filters (e.g. fouled glass) in the light path, the attenuation of the medium (e.g. microbes in turbid water), the presence of particles or objects that can shield the microbes from UV, and the presence of reflectors that can direct the same UV-light through the medium multiple times. Additionally, if the microbes are not free-flowing, such as in a biofilm, they will block each other from irradiation.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) published UV dosage guidelines for water treatment applications in 1986. It is difficult to measure UV dose directly but it can also be estimated from:

Bulbs require periodic cleaning and replacement to ensure effectiveness. The lifetime of germicidal UV bulbs varies depending on design. Also, the material that the bulb is made of can absorb some of the germicidal rays. Lamp cooling under airflow can also lower UV output. The UV dose should be calculated using the end of lamp life (EOL is specified in number of hours when the lamp is expected to reach 80% of its initial UV output). Some shatter-proof lamps are coated with a fluorated ethylene polymer to contain glass shards and mercury in case of breakage; this coating reduces UV output by as much as 20%.

UV source intensity is sometimes specified as irradiance at a distance of 1 meter, which can be easily converted to radiant intensity. UV intensity is inversely proportional to the square of the distance so it decreases at longer distances. Alternatively, it rapidly increases at distances shorter than 1 m. In the above formula, the UV intensity must always be adjusted for distance unless the UV dose is calculated at exactly 1 m (3.3 ft) from the lamp. The UV dose should be calculated at the furthest distance from the lamp on the periphery of the target area. Increases in fluence can be achieved by using reflection, such that the same light passes through the medium several times before being absorbed. Aluminum has the highest reflectivity rate versus other metals and is recommended when using UV.

In static applications the exposure time can be as long as needed for an effective UV dose to be reached. In waterflow/airflow disinfection, exposure time can be increased by increasing the illuminated volume, decreasing the fluid speed, or recirculating the air or water repeatedly through the illuminated section. This ensures multiple passes so that the UV is effective against the highest number of microorganisms and will irradiate resistant microorganisms more than once to break them down.

Inactivation of microorganisms

Chart comparing E. coli UV sensitivity to UV LED at 265 nm
UVC LED emitting 265 nm compared to E. coli germicidal effectiveness curve.

Microbes are more susceptible to certain wavelengths of UV light, a function called the germicidal effectiveness curve. The curve for E. coli is given in the figure, with the most effective UV light having a wavelength of 265 nm. This applies to most bacteria and does not change significantly for other microbes. Dosages for a 90% kill rate of most bacteria and viruses range between 2,000 and 8,000 μJ/cm. Larger parasites such as Cryptosporidium require a lower dose for inactivation. As a result, US EPA has accepted UV disinfection as a method for drinking water plants to obtain Cryptosporidium, Giardia or virus inactivation credits. For example, for a 90% reduction of Cryptosporidium, a minimum dose of 2,500 μW·s/cm is required based on EPA's 2006 guidance manual.

"Sterilization" is often misquoted as being achievable. While it is theoretically possible in a controlled environment, it is very difficult to prove and the term "disinfection" is generally used by companies offering this service as to avoid legal reprimand. Specialist companies will often advertise a certain log reduction, e.g., 6-log reduction or 99.9999% effective, instead of sterilization. This takes into consideration a phenomenon known as light and dark repair (photoreactivation and base excision repair, respectively), in which a cell can repair DNA that has been damaged by UV light.

Safety

Warning for optical radiation applies to devices that emit UV light.
See also: Ultraviolet § Human health-related effects

Skin and eye safety

Many UVGI systems use UV wavelengths that can be harmful to humans, resulting in both immediate and long-term effects. Acute impacts on the eyes and skin can include conditions such as photokeratitis (often termed "snow blindness") and erythema (reddening of the skin), while chronic exposure may heighten the risk of skin cancer.

However, the safety and effects of UV vary extensively by wavelength, implying that not all UVGI systems pose the same level of hazards. Humans typically encounter UV light in the form of solar UV, which comprises significant portions of UV-A and UV-B, but excludes UV-C. The UV-B band, able to penetrate deep into living, replicating tissue, is recognized as the most damaging and carcinogenic.

Many standard UVGI systems, such as low-pressure mercury (LP-Hg) lamps, produce broad-band emissions in the UV-C range and also peaks in the UV-B band. This often makes it challenging to attribute damaging effects to a specific wavelength. Nevertheless, longer wavelengths in the UV-C band can cause conditions like photokeratitis and erythema. Hence, many UVGI systems are used in settings where direct human exposure is limited, such as with upper-room UVGI air cleaners and water disinfection systems.

Precautions are commonly implemented to protect users of these UVGI systems, including:

  • Warning labels: Labels alert users to the dangers of UV light.
  • Interlocking systems: Shielded systems, such as closed water tanks or air circulation units, often have interlocks that automatically shut off the UV lamps if the system is opened for human access. Clear viewports that block UV-C are also available.
  • Personal protective equipment: Most protective eyewear, particularly those compliant with ANSI Z87.1, block UV-C. Similarly, clothing, plastics, and most types of glass (excluding fused silica) effectively impede UV-C.

Since the early 2010s there has been growing interest in the far-UVC wavelengths of 200-235 nm for whole-room exposure. These wavelengths are generally considered safer due to their limited penetration depth caused by increased protein absorption. This feature confines far-UVC exposure to the superficial layers of tissue, such as the outer layer of dead skin (the stratum corneum) and the tear film and surface cells of the cornea. As these tissues do not contain replicating cells, damage to them poses less carcinogenic risk. It has also been demonstrated that far-UVC does not cause erythema or damage to the cornea at levels many times that of solar UV or conventional 254 nm UVGI systems.

Exposure limits

Exposure limits for UV, particularly the germicidal UV-C range, have evolved over time due to scientific research and changing technology. The American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) and the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) have set exposure limits to safeguard against both immediate and long-term effects of UV exposure. These limits, also referred to as Threshold Limit Values (TLVs), form the basis for emission limits in product safety standards.

The UV-C photobiological spectral band is defined as 100–280 nm, with limits currently applying only from 180 to 280 nm. This reflects concerns about acute damage such as erythema and photokeratitis as well as long-term delayed effects like photocarcinogenesis. However, with the increased safety evidence surrounding UV-C for germicidal applications, the existing ACGIH TLVs were revised in 2022.

The TLVs for the 222 nm UV-C wavelength (peak emissions from KrCl excimer lamps), following the 2022 revision, are now 161 mJ/cm for eye exposure and 479 mJ/cm for skin exposure over an eight-hour period. For the 254 nm UV wavelength, the updated exposure limit is now set at 6 mJ/cm for eyes and 10 mJ/cm for skin.

Indoor air chemistry

UV can influence indoor air chemistry, leading to the formation of ozone and other potentially harmful pollutants, including particulate pollution. This occurs primarily through photolysis, where UV photons break molecules into smaller radicals that form radicals such as OH. The radicals can react with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to produce oxidized VOCs (OVOCs) and secondary organic aerosols (SOA).

Wavelengths below 242 nm can also generate ozone, which not only contributes to OVOCs and SOA formation but can be harmful in itself. When inhaled in high quantities, these pollutants can irritate the eyes and respiratory system and exacerbate conditions like asthma.

The specific pollutants produced depend on the initial air chemistry and the UV source power and wavelength. To control ozone and other indoor pollutants, ventilation and filtration methods are used, diluting airborne pollutants and maintaining indoor air quality.

Polymer damage

UVC radiation is able to break chemical bonds. This leads to rapid aging of plastics and other material, and insulation and gaskets. Plastics sold as "UV-resistant" are tested only for the lower-energy UVB since UVC does not normally reach the surface of the Earth. When UV is used near plastic, rubber, or insulation, these materials may be protected by metal tape or aluminum foil.

Applications

Air disinfection

UVGI can be used to disinfect air with prolonged exposure. In the 1930s and 40s, an experiment in public schools in Philadelphia showed that upper-room ultraviolet fixtures could significantly reduce the transmission of measles among students.

UV and violet light are able to neutralize the infectivity of SARS-CoV-2. Viral titers usually found in the sputum of COVID-19 patients are completely inactivated by levels of UV-A and UV-B irradiation that are similar to those levels experienced from natural sun exposure. This finding suggests that the reduced incidence of SARS-COV-2 in the summer may be, in part, due to the neutralizing activity of solar UV irradiation.

Various UV-emitting devices can be used for SARS-CoV-2 disinfection, and these devices may help in reducing the spread of infection. SARS-CoV-2 can be inactivated by a wide range of UVC wavelengths, and the wavelength of 222 nm provides the most effective disinfection performance.

Disinfection is a function of UV intensity and time. For this reason, it is in theory not as effective on moving air, or when the lamp is perpendicular to the flow, as exposure times are dramatically reduced. However, numerous professional and scientific publications have indicated that the overall effectiveness of UVGI actually increases when used in conjunction with fans and HVAC ventilation, which facilitate whole-room circulation that exposes more air to the UV source. Air purification UVGI systems can be free-standing units with shielded UV lamps that use a fan to force air past the UV light. Other systems are installed in forced air systems so that the circulation for the premises moves microorganisms past the lamps. Key to this form of sterilization is placement of the UV lamps and a good filtration system to remove the dead microorganisms. For example, forced air systems by design impede line-of-sight, thus creating areas of the environment that will be shaded from the UV light. However, a UV lamp placed at the coils and drain pans of cooling systems will keep microorganisms from forming in these naturally damp places.

Water disinfection

A portable, battery-powered, low-pressure mercury-vapour discharge lamp for water sterilization
Cutaway model of UV disinfection unit used in water treatment plants

Ultraviolet disinfection of water is a purely physical, chemical-free process. Even parasites such as Cryptosporidium or Giardia, which are extremely resistant to chemical disinfectants, are efficiently reduced. UV can also be used to remove chlorine and chloramine species from water; this process is called photolysis, and requires a higher dose than normal disinfection. The dead microorganisms are not removed from the water. UV disinfection does not remove dissolved organics, inorganic compounds or particles in the water. The world's largest water disinfection plant treats drinking water for New York City. The Catskill-Delaware Water Ultraviolet Disinfection Facility, commissioned on 8 October 2013, incorporates a total of 56 energy-efficient UV reactors treating up to 2.2 billion U.S. gallons (8.3 billion liters) a day.

Ultraviolet can also be combined with ozone or hydrogen peroxide to produce hydroxyl radicals to break down trace contaminants through an advanced oxidation process.

It used to be thought that UV disinfection was more effective for bacteria and viruses, which have more-exposed genetic material, than for larger pathogens that have outer coatings or that form cyst states (e.g., Giardia) that shield their DNA from UV light. However, it was recently discovered that ultraviolet radiation can be somewhat effective for treating the microorganism Cryptosporidium. The findings resulted in the use of UV radiation as a viable method to treat drinking water. Giardia in turn has been shown to be very susceptible to UV-C when the tests were based on infectivity rather than excystation. It has been found that protists are able to survive high UV-C doses but are sterilized at low doses.

UV water treatment devices can be used for well water and surface water disinfection. UV treatment compares favourably with other water disinfection systems in terms of cost, labour and the need for technically trained personnel for operation. Water chlorination treats larger organisms and offers residual disinfection, but these systems are expensive because they need special operator training and a steady supply of a potentially hazardous material. Finally, boiling of water is the most reliable treatment method but it demands labour and imposes a high economic cost. UV treatment is rapid and, in terms of primary energy use, approximately 20,000 times more efficient than boiling.

UV disinfection is most effective for treating high-clarity, purified reverse osmosis distilled water. Suspended particles are a problem because microorganisms buried within particles are shielded from the UV light and pass through the unit unaffected. However, UV systems can be coupled with a pre-filter to remove those larger organisms that would otherwise pass through the UV system unaffected. The pre-filter also clarifies the water to improve light transmittance and therefore UV dose throughout the entire water column. Another key factor of UV water treatment is the flow rate—if the flow is too high, water will pass through without sufficient UV exposure. If the flow is too low, heat may build up and damage the UV lamp. A disadvantage of UVGI is that while water treated by chlorination is resistant to reinfection (until the chlorine off-gasses), UVGI water is not resistant to reinfection. UVGI water must be transported or delivered in such a way as to avoid reinfection.

A 2006 project at University of California, Berkeley produced a design for inexpensive water disinfection in resource deprived settings. The project was designed to produce an open source design that could be adapted to meet local conditions. In a somewhat similar proposal in 2014, Australian students designed a system using potato chip (crisp) packet foil to reflect solar UV radiation into a glass tube that disinfects water without power.

Modeling

Sizing of a UV system is affected by three variables: flow rate, lamp power, and UV transmittance in the water. Manufacturers typically developed sophisticated computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models validated with bioassay testing. This involves testing the UV reactor's disinfection performance with either MS2 or T1 bacteriophages at various flow rates, UV transmittance, and power levels in order to develop a regression model for system sizing. For example, this is a requirement for all public water systems in the United States per the EPA UV manual.

The flow profile is produced from the chamber geometry, flow rate, and particular turbulence model selected. The radiation profile is developed from inputs such as water quality, lamp type (power, germicidal efficiency, spectral output, arc length), and the transmittance and dimension of the quartz sleeve. Proprietary CFD software simulates both the flow and radiation profiles. Once the 3D model of the chamber is built, it is populated with a grid or mesh that comprises thousands of small cubes.

Points of interest—such as at a bend, on the quartz sleeve surface, or around the wiper mechanism—use a higher resolution mesh, whilst other areas within the reactor use a coarse mesh. Once the mesh is produced, hundreds of thousands of virtual particles are "fired" through the chamber. Each particle has several variables of interest associated with it, and the particles are "harvested" after the reactor. Discrete phase modeling produces delivered dose, head loss, and other chamber-specific parameters.

When the modeling phase is complete, selected systems are validated using a professional third party to provide oversight and to determine how closely the model is able to predict the reality of system performance. System validation uses non-pathogenic surrogates such as MS 2 phage or Bacillus subtilis to determine the Reduction Equivalent Dose (RED) ability of the reactors. Most systems are validated to deliver 40 mJ/cm within an envelope of flow and transmittance.

To validate effectiveness in drinking water systems, the method described in the EPA UV guidance manual is typically used by US water utilities, whilst Europe has adopted Germany's DVGW 294 standard. For wastewater systems, the NWRI/AwwaRF Ultraviolet Disinfection Guidelines for Drinking Water and Water Reuse protocols are typically used, especially in wastewater reuse applications.

Wastewater treatment

Ultraviolet in sewage treatment is commonly replacing chlorination. This is in large part because of concerns that reaction of the chlorine with organic compounds in the waste water stream could synthesize potentially toxic and long lasting chlorinated organics and also because of the environmental risks of storing chlorine gas or chlorine containing chemicals. Individual wastestreams to be treated by UVGI must be tested to ensure that the method will be effective due to potential interferences such as suspended solids, dyes, or other substances that may block or absorb the UV radiation. According to the World Health Organization, "UV units to treat small batches (1 to several liters) or low flows (1 to several liters per minute) of water at the community level are estimated to have costs of US$20 per megaliter, including the cost of electricity and consumables and the annualized capital cost of the unit."

Large-scale urban UV wastewater treatment is performed in cities such as Edmonton, Alberta. The use of ultraviolet light has now become standard practice in most municipal wastewater treatment processes. Effluent is now starting to be recognized as a valuable resource, not a problem that needs to be dumped. Many wastewater facilities are being renamed as water reclamation facilities, whether the wastewater is discharged into a river, used to irrigate crops, or injected into an aquifer for later recovery. Ultraviolet light is now being used to ensure water is free from harmful organisms.

Aquarium and pond

Ultraviolet sterilizers are often used to help control unwanted microorganisms in aquaria and ponds. UV irradiation ensures that pathogens cannot reproduce, thus decreasing the likelihood of a disease outbreak in an aquarium.

Aquarium and pond sterilizers are typically small, with fittings for tubing that allows the water to flow through the sterilizer on its way from a separate external filter or water pump. Within the sterilizer, water flows as close as possible to the ultraviolet light source. Water pre-filtration is critical as water turbidity lowers UV-C penetration. Many of the better UV sterilizers have long dwell times and limit the space between the UV-C source and the inside wall of the UV sterilizer device.

Laboratory hygiene

UVGI is often used to disinfect equipment such as safety goggles, instruments, pipettors, and other devices. Lab personnel also disinfect glassware and plasticware this way. Microbiology laboratories use UVGI to disinfect surfaces inside biological safety cabinets ("hoods") between uses.

Food and beverage protection

Since the U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a rule in 2001 requiring that virtually all fruit and vegetable juice producers follow HACCP controls, and mandating a 5-log reduction in pathogens, UVGI has seen some use in sterilization of juices such as fresh-pressed.

UV Sources

Main article: Germicidal lamp
Chart comparing low pressure lamp to medium pressure lamp and the germicidal effectiveness curve
Low-pressure & medium-pressure mercury-vapor lamp compared to E. coli germicidal effectiveness curve.

Mercury vapor lamps

A 9 W germicidal lamp in a compact fluorescent lamp form factor

Germicidal UV for disinfection is most typically generated by a mercury-vapor lamp. Low-pressure mercury vapor has a strong emission line at 254 nm, which is within the range of wavelengths that demonstrate strong disinfection effect. The optimal wavelengths for disinfection are close to 260 nm.

Mercury vapor lamps may be categorized as either low-pressure (including amalgam) or medium-pressure lamps. Low-pressure UV lamps offer high efficiencies (approx. 35% UV-C) but lower power, typically 1 W/cm power density (power per unit of arc length). Amalgam UV lamps utilize an amalgam to control mercury pressure to allow operation at a somewhat higher temperature and power density. They operate at higher temperatures and have a lifetime of up to 16,000 hours. Their efficiency is slightly lower than that of traditional low-pressure lamps (approx. 33% UV-C output), and power density is approximately 2–3 W/cm. Medium-pressure UV lamps operate at much higher temperatures, up to about 800 degrees Celsius, and have a polychromatic output spectrum and a high radiation output but lower UV-C efficiency of 10% or less. Typical power density is 30 W/cm or greater.

Depending on the quartz glass used for the lamp body, low-pressure and amalgam UV emit radiation at 254 nm and also at 185 nm, which has chemical effects. UV radiation at 185 nm is used to generate ozone.

The UV lamps for water treatment consist of specialized low-pressure mercury-vapor lamps that produce ultraviolet radiation at 254 nm, or medium-pressure UV lamps that produce a polychromatic output from 200 nm to visible and infrared energy. The UV lamp never contacts the water; it is either housed in a quartz glass sleeve inside the water chamber or mounted externally to the water, which flows through the transparent UV tube. Water passing through the flow chamber is exposed to UV rays, which are absorbed by suspended solids, such as microorganisms and dirt, in the stream.

LEDs

Compact and versatile options with UV-C LEDs

Recent developments in LED technology have led to commercially available UV-C LEDs. UV-C LEDs use semiconductors to emit light between 255 nm and 280 nm. The wavelength emission is tuneable by adjusting the material of the semiconductor. As of 2019, the electrical-to-UV-C conversion efficiency of LEDs was lower than that of mercury lamps. The reduced size of LEDs opens up options for small reactor systems allowing for point-of-use applications and integration into medical devices. Low power consumption of semiconductors introduce UV disinfection systems that utilized small solar cells in remote or Third World applications.

UV-C LEDs don't necessarily last longer than traditional germicidal lamps in terms of hours used, instead having more-variable engineering characteristics and better tolerance for short-term operation. A UV-C LED can achieve a longer installed time than a traditional germicidal lamp in intermittent use. Likewise, LED degradation increases with heat, while filament and HID lamp output wavelength is dependent on temperature, so engineers can design LEDs of a particular size and cost to have a higher output and faster degradation or a lower output and slower decline over time.

See also

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