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Why You Should Buy A UV Sanitizing Wand
In a pandemic, people develop desperation for cures. It is no surprise that the worldwide outbreak of COVID-19 has people searching for anything that might protect them for the novel coronavirus. Where there is demand, supply quickly follows, and there are plenty of people online offering dubious supplements or tools to help ward off what is commonly known as the coronavirus. Among the most popular are UVC disinfection wands, which promise to annihilate germs quickly using ultraviolet radiation.
What Does UV Light Do?
Ultraviolet light is a kind of electromagnetic radiation. One particular subtype, called UV-C that has a wavelength of 280-100 nanometers, is capable of eliminating viruses and bacteria (and human tissue) by disrupting their DNA/RNA and rendering them incapable of replicating. In response to the pressure from the COVID-19 outbreak, hospitals use large UV lamps and handheld UV light devices, sometimes attached to robots, to sterilize and clean rooms.
UV Light Sterilization for Coronavirus
One major problem with using UV radiation as a disinfectant is that scientists are not yet sure how effective it is at killing COVID-19 specifically. When using UV radiation, the duration of direct exposure is crucial. It is not just a flash of light. To a disinfecting effect, it will require direct UV-C light for a specific period, depending on the distance from the source and so forth.
The precise duration necessary can differ not just on the light source but also on the virus you are trying to eliminate. It is worth noting that all viruses are not made equally. Some are more vulnerable to UV radiation, others are tougher, and there is no scientific agreement as to how sturdy the coronavirus is.
When in Doubt, Trust the Health Authorities
With the flood of handheld UV light sterilization gadgets on the internet, it is imperative to note that many of them go to market without approval from health authorities.
Even if the UV wands are efficient, the cons outweigh their usefulness. For instance, UV light is only suited to flat surfaces, and you may not know how long you need to disinfect a surface to kill coronavirus. Consequently, you may end up harming yourself in the process even when using a handheld UV sterilizer.
What do you do if you are worried about coronavirus on your countertops? Experts advice is to trust the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which has guidelines for people to disinfect at home.
Treat anything else as pure speculation, and the science is not there!
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