There are three types of UV light. All made by the sun. they are all electromagnetic waves

UVA which is long wave typically 315 to 400 nm this the most common form and is the one you see in disco lights, it is also the one used in sun bed. It is the most harmless form.

UVB is shorter wave length typically 280 to 315 nm, this is the one that causes skin cancer, it is mostly absorbed by the atmosphere but not all, changes in the ozone layer leads to big increases in UVB levels.

UVC is the short wave length typically 100 to 280 nm this is the one we use. UVC is never observed in nature as it is to easily absorbed by the air, when UVC photon collide with oxygen atoms the photon is destroyed and ozone is produced the quantities are to minute to be useful.

Is it safe?
No it has two nasty effects, exposure of the eyes will lead to the destruction of the mucous membrane cells and produce what is know as arc eye or conjunctivitis it is painful and lasts approx 48 hours there is no permanent damage and the eye itself will not be penetrated.
Prolonged exposure of the skin can lead to a slight reddening called I believe, erythema again UVC will not penetrate beyond the dead skin cells on the surface.

How?
Very carefully, we ensure that all of our devices are properly protected so that accidental exposure can not occur.
It is comforting to know that even a major exposure will not lead to any permanent damage and recovery in 48 hours I still don’t recommend it it feels like someone has put a porcupine in your eyes.
Compared to petrol for instance it is very safe and we deal with petrol every day.
I always draw this analogy, If I came to you and said I want to connect a pipe into your house which is filled with a highly explosive material and then I am going to set fire to it you would think I was insane but it is exactly what ewe do with town gas.

They are difficulties rather than dangers.
We we cannot completely control the UVC we reduce it to safe levels.
Fortunately although they have high energy the UVC photons are very easily absorbed they cannot pass through anything other then Quartz glass and PTFE every thing else will stop them dead, this is why our device will only deal with clean subject matter.

The safe exposure numbers every one uses are produced by the American congress of governmental and industrial hygienists ( ACGIH) there is a table of exposures in your Philips book.

We go much better than the recommended levels

How does it work and what does it work on?
Basically anything which has DNA or RNA bacteria viruses spores yeasts protozoa and algae.
As long as we can get to the nucleus we can deactivate it.

I say deactivate because that is what we do we do not kill anything except by overdosing it, what we do is stop it replicating it cannot divide and therefore it dies without reproducing.

They cannot cause infection if they cannot multiply.

When we do swab tests after irradiation you still find the protein presence with the bio swabs ?
But you cannot cultivate anything from the swabs.

It works by locking together the thiamine molecule on the DNA RNA and this prevents division. Some bacteria if exposed to enough UVA can repair themselves but this is very rare.
The only way a micro organism can escape it to hide behind something, we call thus shadowing it is the thing that is most special about our devices we give them nowhere to hide.

Click here to buy UV lamps online

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THE UPPER AIR IRRADIATION MODULE

This Air Irradiation Fixture attacks the DNA of MICRO-ORGANISMS such as
NORWALK, TURBURCULOSIS, LEGIONELLA, E-COLI and many others.

The module irradiates the upper air with UV radiation from 4 Ultra Violet lamps.

This is a new product to the UK and should not be confused with UV fly killers that use UV to attract the fly and then electrocutes it!

The UV-C stops the MICRO-ORGANISMS from replicating effectively making them harmless.

It is a weapon against "AEROSOL" bacteria and viruses, that is germs that are transferred through the air.

The benefits are two-fold, there will be less micro-organisms to cross infect staff, residents, customers and patients. In staff rooms, canteens, open plan offices etc. this would have the effect of reducing absenteeism due to illness.

Also it has become evident that where they are installed on the continent people feel better protected against infections, giving a "feel good factor".

We recommend the units be installed by our UV trained electricians who will complete the installation and provide a certificate of safety having measured the UV output.

Each unit draws only 36 watts of electricity, the lamps inside will operate at full efficiency for 12 months, service contracts are available as only trained staff should work with UV.

The units may be fitted anywhere people congregate:

Hospitals
Doctors waiting rooms
Staff Rooms
Canteens
Toilet blocks
Lounges
Dining rooms
Kitchens
Open plan offices
Public bars
Changing rooms
Playgroups
Café / Restaurants
Dentists
Cruise ships
Airports
Call centres
Custody Centres
Holiday Camps
Prison Visiting Rooms
Hostels


Animal applications

Kennels
Veterinary Surgeries
Catteries (cat flu esp.)

Each unit will protect a 30 square metre area, it must be fitted over 2 metres from ground level so is not suitable for rooms or corridors with low ceilings.

To talk to someone about the exciting new product or to arrange a survey and quotation please call our UV specialists on 01392 447000 or e-mail to

UV@commercial-lamps.co.uk

For further technical information and to view scientific and medical studies that support the information above on the capabilities of UV irradiation see our UV website