During a pandemic, you can never have enough weapons to defend your health. We rely on masks, face shields, soap & water, hand sanitizers, and disinfectant wipes to stay safe. Today we discuss how UV-C light can protect your family from germs. Devices that use UV-C light have become increasingly popular this year, leading to an explosion in demand.
PhoneSoap was one of the first of its kind for cleaning cellphones. It emerged several years ago. I’ve owned a PhoneSoap to clean my iPhone (and other small items) since the start of the pandemic. I liked the convenience of zapping my stuff. So I immediately picked up the HomeSoap for larger items: my iPad, my cameras that use interchangeable lenses, books, remote controls, and some of my son’s toys.
The PhoneSoap and the HomeSoap are extremely intuitive to use. You place the item you wish to sanitize inside the device, close the door, and press the on button. Once complete, the unit will automatically turn itself off. It generally takes 10 minutes for the device to sanitize its content.
What Does UV Radiation Do?
UV-C lamps have been around for a long time. Long ago, the fight against tuberculosis bacteria included the use of UV light. Regarding how it works against viruses, the UV radiation destroys the outer protein envelope that coats the organisms. This lipid layer is sensitive to heat and detergents. For this reason, washing your hands with soap and water is also highly effective in killing germs.
Does UV-C Kill COVID-19?
The biggest question I get when it comes to UV-C light is, “Does it work?” The short answer is that the technology itself is currently being used by hospitals, transportation companies, and other industries to sanitize their equipment and their work environments. Tests have been conducted over the years to demonstrate the effectiveness of UV-C light against bacteria and viruses.
But let’s cut to the chase. What people want to know is, does UV-C kill COVID-19?
When it comes specifically to the novel coronavirus, the answer to that question is not as straightforward. PhoneSoap, the leading manufacturer, claims that their UV-C products disinfect 99.99% of harmful bacteria and viruses that include: E Coli, salmonella, staph, MRSA, H1N1 (flu), and the common cold. The company admits that it has not yet tested its product on COVID-19 (which is the case with every other manufacturer). PhoneSoap states that their UV-C light products can kill the H1N1 virus (aka influenza A) at a 99.99% reduction rate. The reason why this is important is that the coronavirus and H1N1 are both enveloped viruses. That means that if UV-C can destroy the lipid envelope for H1N1, it should do the same for COVID-19.
The FDA states that UV-C light may be effective in inactivating the SARS-CoV 2 virus, which causes coronavirus. As a consumer, given the available information, it is up to you to decide if UV-C light is right for you.
No Magic Bullet
Until an effective and safe vaccine is found, it will take several tactics to keep ourselves and our families as safe as possible from the coronavirus and other harmful germs. Incorporating the use of UV-C sanitizing devices into our daily routine provides an added layer of protection. And while UV may kill germs with light, you may still want to give your stuff a quick wipe-down, just to remove any dirt, oil and grime.
Remember that we still have a way to go with this pandemic. There is no single magic bullet. Nothing can replace wearing masks, washing our hands, and clean high touch surfaces and objects to stay healthy. But if you’re looking for an extra layer of protection that’s easy to use and hassle free, give UV-C sanitizers a try!
For more family oriented content please check out my other blog posts!