The UV-C lamp, also called germicidal lamp, is a particular type of lamp that produces UV light capable of sanitising rooms.
Germicidal UV radiation is a sterilisation method that makes use of shortwave UV light (ultraviolet UV-C) to kill microorganisms. It destroys their DNA, leaving them incapable of performing vital cellular functions.
The technique has several applications, including purification of food, air and water.
UV-C light blocked by the atmosphere’s ozone layer is weak when it reaches the earth’s surface.
The devices produce sufficiently strong UV-C light to make environments inhospitable for bacterial proliferation.
The application of ultraviolet light for sterilisation dates back to the mid-20th century. Mainly used in medical facilities and in sterile work environments, it is increasingly applied to sterilise drinking water and wastewater. In recent years it has also been integrated into air purifiers.
UV-C Lamp: how was it conceived?
The story of UV light commenced in 1878 when Arthur Downes and Thomas P. Blunt published a paper describing sterilisation achieved by exposing bacteria to shortwave light.
Indeed, the 1903 Nobel Prize for Medicine was awarded to Niels Finsen for using the UV-C lamp to treat skin tuberculosis.
Instead, the use of UV-C light to disinfect drinking water was implemented in Marseilles, France, in 1910.
In 1955, Austria and Switzerland adopted water treatment systems based on UV-C radiation, and Europe already counted 100 plants in 1985.
In the 2000s, around 6,000 water treatment systems made use of UV-C radiation.
UV-C Lamps: aspects that need most attention?
The efficacy of UV-C lamps depends on the duration of a microorganism’s exposure to UV radiation, on the intensity and wavelength of UV radiation, and on bacterial resistance to ultraviolet light during exposure.
Dust and film settling on the UV-C lamp reduce the emission of UV radiation; hence, the need for cleaning and proper maintenance.
UV-C Lamp: what are the application fields?
Air disinfection: UV radiation can be used to disinfect air in case of prolonged exposure. Indeed, in the 1930s and 1940s, an experiment conducted in public schools in Philadelphia showed that ultraviolet devices installed in high schools could significantly reduce the transmission of German measles among students.
Water disinfection: Ultraviolet light disinfection of water is a purely physical process that does not use chemical substances. Even levels of parasites, such as Cryptosporidiosis or Giardia, which are extremely resistant to chemical disinfectants, are effectively reduced by UV light.
UV radiation can also be used to remove chlorine and chloramine species from water. The process is called photolysis and requires a higher dose than normal disinfection. UV disinfection does not remove either dissolved organic substances, or inorganic compounds or water particles.
The largest water disinfection plant in the world treats drinking water for the city of New York. The ultraviolet light water disinfection plant based in Catskill-Delaware opened on 8 October 2013. It counts a total number of 56 high energy efficiency UV reactors that treat up to 2.2 billion American gallons (8,300,000 m3) a day.
Wastewater treatment: The UV-C lamp for wastewater treatment is replacing chlorination, which produces toxic substances. Large-scale urban waste water treatment is used in the city of Edmonton, Alberta.
Aquariums and ponds: UV light sterilisation devices are often used in aquariums and ponds to control the presence of undesirable microorganisms in water. Continuous sterilisation of water neutralises unicellular algae, thus increasing water transparency. Moreover, UV radiation prevents the reproduction of exposed pathogens, thus reducing the probability of an epidemic in the aquarium.
Laboratories: The UV-C lamp is frequently used even in laboratories that disinfect equipment with ultraviolet radiation. Laboratory personnel disinfect glassware and plastic items with this method.
C-LED: UV-C technology at the service of companies
C-LED is a Cefla company specialising in the design and production of electronic applications and personalised lighting solutions that respond to customer requirements.
C-LED mainly addresses companies that operate in the Growing, Retail, Interior Design and industrial lighting sectors.
The company also produces wireless connectivity systems, developing Beacons, programmable proximity sensors, which can be used for interactive communication and for efficient energy management of environments.
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