Beware of UVC sanitizers: not all are good

Justo Arines, Carmen Bao-Varela


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Base Information

Volume

V53 - N3 / 2020 Ordinario

Reference

51044: 1-7

DOI

http://dx.doi.org/10.7149/OPA.53.3.51044

Language

English

Keywords

UVC, Germicidal radiation, Disinfection

Abstract

Disinfection is now one of the major concerns of society. Soap, or hydroalcohol are two known ways of sanitizing different objects. Now we can find in the market more sophisticated systems, which provide more confidence on their sanitizing effects, or that allows disinfection of objects that cannot be sanitized with soap or hydroalcoholic solutions. In this work we analyze a commercially available sanitizing device that claims the use of UVC radiation. We will show that this device is not suitable for complete disinfection of the objects introduced on the cabin. We provide spectral characterization of the sources, as well as irradiance measurements inside the cabin. We conclude that the cabin cannot be used for sanitizing most of the objects that are included in the documentation of the device.

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