UV Sterilizers

Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI) is a sterilization method that uses ultraviolet (UV) light at sufficiently short wavelength to break down micro-organisms. It is used in a variety of applications, such as food, air and water purification. more...

Home
Birds
Cats
Dogs
Fish, Turtles & Frogs
Aquarium Coral
Aquarium Decorations
Aquarium Lighting
Aquarium Meters, Regulators
Aquarium Stands
Aquariums
Cleaning & Water Treatments
Crabs, Snails & Algae Eaters
Filtration & Heating
Aquarium Chillers
Aquarium Filters
Aquarium Heaters
Aquarium Pumps
Other Filtration & Heating
Skimmers
UV Sterilizers
Fish Bowls
Fish Food
Fish Pond Supplies
Live Aquarium Plants
Live Aquarium Rock
Other Fish Turtle & Frog...
Refractometers
Tropical Fish
Water Meters
Horses
Other Animals
Reptiles
Small Animals

UV has been a known mutagen at the cellular level for more than 100 years. The 1903 Nobel Prize for Medicine was awarded to Neils Finsen for his use of UV against tuberculosis. A common example of UVGI is the sterilization tank used in barbershops to disinfect combs and brushes.

UVGI utilises the short wavelength of UV that is harmful to forms of life at the micro-organic level. It is effective in destroying the nucleic acids in these organisms so that their DNA is disrupted by the UV radiation, which is a form of ionising radiation. This removes their reproductive capabilities and/or kills them.

The wavelength of UV that causes this effect is rare on Earth as its atmosphere blocks it. Using a UVGI device in certain environments like circulating air or water systems creates a deadly effect on micro-organisms such as pathogens, viruses and molds that are in these environments. Coupled with a filtration system, UVGI can remove harmful micro-organisms from these environments.

The application of UVGI to sterilization has been an accepted practice since the mid-20th century. It has been used primarily in medical sanitation and sterile work facilities. Increasingly it was employed to sterilize drinking and wastewater, as the holding facilities were enclosed and could be circulated to ensure a higher exposure to the UV. In recent years UVGI has found renewed application in air sanitization.

How UVGI Works

Ultraviolet light is electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths shorter than visible light. UV can be separated into various ranges, with short range UV (UVC) considered “germicidal UV.” At certain wavelengths UV is mutagenic to bacteria, viruses and other micro-organisms. At a wavelength of 2,537 Angstroms (254 nm) UV will break the molecular bonds within micro-organismal DNA, producing thymine dimers in their DNA thereby destroying them, rendering them harmless or prohibiting growth and reproduction. It is a process similar to the UV effect of higher wavelengths (UVB) on humans, such as sunburn or sun glare. Micro-organisms have less protection from UV and cannot survive prolonged exposure to it.

A UVGI system is designed to expose environments such as water tanks, sealed rooms and forced air systems to germicidal UV. Exposure comes from germicidal lamps that emit germicidal UV electromagnetic radiation at the correct wavelength, thus irradiating the environment. The forced flow of air or water through this environment ensures the exposure.

Effectiveness

UVGI is a highly effective method of destroying micro-organisms. Since the Earth’s atmosphere absorbs most of the UV from the sun, germicidal UV is very rare in all circumstances. When concentrated in a closed environment such as a water holding tank or duct system it is lethal over time to all micro-organisms.

Read more at Wikipedia.org