What is UV-C technology? – INSIGHTSIAS

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Topics Covered : Achievements of Indians in science & technology; indigenization of technology and developing new technology.

What is UV-C technology?

Context:

Ultraviolet-C or UV-C Disinfection Technology will soon be installed in Parliament for the “mitigation of airborne transmission of SARS-COV-2’’.

 

About the UV-C air duct disinfection system:

  1. Developed by CSIR-CSIO (Central Scientific Instruments Organisation).
  2. The system is designed to fit into any existing air-ducts and the virucidal dosages using UV-C intensity and residence time can be optimised according to the existing space.
  3. The virus is deactivated in any aerosol particles by the calibrated levels of UV-C light.
  4. It can be used in auditoriums, malls, educational Institutions, AC buses, and in railways.

 

What is UV radiation?

UV radiation is the portion of the Electromagnetic spectrum between X-rays and visible light.

The most common form of UV radiation is sunlight, which produces three main types of UV rays:

  1. UVA.
  2. UVB.
  3. UVC.

 

Key facts:

  • UVA rays have the longest wavelengths, followed by UVB, and UVC rays which have the shortest wavelengths.
  • While UVA and UVB rays are transmitted through the atmosphere, all UVC and some UVB rays are absorbed by the Earth’s ozone layer. So, most of the UV rays you come in contact with are UVA with a small amount of UVB.

 

How is it being used?

UV radiations are normally used to kill microorganisms.

  • Particularly, UV-C, also known as Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) is a disinfection method that uses short-wavelength ultraviolet light to kill or inactivate microorganisms by destroying their nucleic acids and disrupting their DNA, leaving them unable to perform vital cellular functions and stops their replication.
  • UVGI is used in a variety of applications, such as food, air, and water disinfection.

 

Is it safe for humans?

Researchers noted that the device was specifically developed to disinfect non-living things. Therefore, UV-C radiation used in this device could be harmful to the skin and eyes of the living beings.

 

Insta Curious: 

Are all lamps that produce UVC radiation the same? What are the different types of lamps that can produce UVC radiation? Read Here

 

InstaLinks:

Prelims Link:

  1. Overview of electromagnetic spectrum.
  2. About UV Rays.
  3. Types.
  4. Features.

Sources: Indian Express.

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