In a society where unseen dangers hide on all surfaces, UV light becomes a valuable weapon in our battle against harmful microorganisms. However, how can we determine the necessary amount of UVGI to guarantee safety?
The Basics: UV Light and Its Germicidal Superpowers
UV light, particularly in the UV-C spectrum (wavelengths between 200-280 nm), has the remarkable ability to disrupt the DNA and RNA of microorganisms, rendering them unable to reproduce or cause infections.
Decoding UV Dosage: The Key to Effective Microorganism Elimination
The effectiveness of UV light in killing microorganisms isn’t just about intensity – it’s about dosage. UV dosage is the product of UV intensity (measured in μW/cm²) and exposure time (in seconds), expressed in μJ/cm² (microjoules per square centimeter). It’s like baking a cake; you need both the right temperature (intensity) and the correct baking time (exposure) to get the perfect result.
The Microbial Hit List: UV Dosage Required for Common Bacteria
Some common bacteria and their corresponding UV dosage for elimination are:
– Escherichia coli (E. coli): 6.6 mJ/cm² for a 99.99% reduction
– Staphylococcus aureus: 6.6 mJ/cm² for a 99.99% reduction
– Pseudomonas aeruginosa: 10.5 mJ/cm² for a 99.99% kill rate
Please note that these values can vary depending on factors like the specific strain of bacteria and environmental conditions. Always consult professional guidelines for precise dosage requirements in particular applications.
Intellego’s Dosimeters: Ensuring Adequate UV-C Exposure
Accurate dosimetry technology is essential for optimal disinfection outcomes. Intellego’s dosimeters provide assurance of adequate UV-C dosing by:
– Precise Measurement: The dosimeters accurately measure the cumulative UV-C dose received, ensuring that the target dose for inactivating specific bacteria is achieved.
– Visual Confirmation: The color-changing technology provides a clear, visual indication when the required UV-C dose has been delivered, eliminating guesswork in the disinfection process.
– Customizable Thresholds: Dosimeters can be tailored to indicate different UV-C dose levels, allowing for targeted disinfection against various pathogens with different UV-C susceptibilities.
– Quality Assurance: By providing a reliable method to verify UV-C exposure, Intellego’s dosimeters help healthcare facilities maintain consistent and effective disinfection protocols.
The Growing Role of UV Disinfection
As we continue to face global health challenges, the importance of effective disinfection methods becomes ever more apparent. UV light, with its chemical-free approach and proven efficacy, is poised to play an increasingly significant role against harmful microorganisms.
From cutting-edge research into new UV-emitting materials to the development of more efficient and safer UV disinfection systems, the future of this technology looks bright (pun intended!).
Explore the advantages of a properly verified UVC disinfection process, contact a member of our sales team here.
About Intellego Technologies AB
Intellego Technologies is a research and development company, headquartered in Solna, Sweden. Founded in 2011, Intellego has grown to become the global leader in colorimetric indicators that are utilized worldwide to visually validate the dose of ultraviolet irradiation delivered to surfaces. Through its patented photochromic technology, Intellego manufactures standard and customized indicators that make the benefits of ultraviolet light visible and promotes the safe, effective and efficient use of UV applications. Intellego’s products support better outcomes with ultraviolet devices in healthcare, food and beverage manufacturing, environmental services, and more. For more information about Intellego, visit Intellego-Technologies.com. For more information on Intellego’s line of colorimetric indicators, visit UVCdosimeters.com.