T
he best ways to protect yourself against COVID-19 and other
contagious illnesses include frequent hand washing, social distancing,
and using appropriate personal protective equipment such as masks. If
you’re looking to take your precautionary game to the next level, though, you
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the market. But do they work? And if so, which one should you buy? We’re
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DOES UV LIGHT KILL BACTERIA?
UV light is one type of electromagnetic radiation that comes naturally from the
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of UV radiation—UV-A, UV-B, and UV-C—none of which can be observed with
the naked eye. Of the three, UV-C has the smallest wavelengths (180-280nm)
and is the one required for UV disinfection.
Most commercial UV products are sold as sanitizers, and it’s important to note
sanitation and disinfection aren’t synonymous. Sanitization reduces the growth
of bacteria, growth, or fungi. Disinfection, on the other hand, “eliminates many
or all pathogenic microorganisms, except bacterial spores, on inanimate
objects,” per the CDC.
UV-C light is just one disinfection method and is not yet proven to destroy
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be used on various surfaces, but make sure to carefully read the directions, as
many of these products aren’t tech-friendly.
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