Ultraviolet (UV) light is a non-visible electromagnetic radiation commonly known as light from the sun or as a “black light” used to check currency. It has shorter wavelengths than visible light but longer wavelengths than X-ray radiation. UV light covers wavelengths from 100 to 400 nm and is divided into three subcategories:
Ultraviolet A | UVA | 400 – 315 nm |
Ultraviolet B | UVB | 315 – 280 nm |
Ultraviolet C | UVC | 280 – 100 nm |
Both UVA and UVB radiation pass through the earth’s atmosphere, reaching the surface, but UVC radiation is mostly absorbed by the ozone layer, never completely reaching land.
In lighting spectrums, a shorter wavelength means more energy. UVC has the shortest wavelength which allows it to be more energetic than visible light, and a more powerful tool for effective radiation. It is versatile and can be used for disinfecting water and destroying harmful micro-organisms in other liquids, on surfaces, food products and in ‘air’ organisms. UVC technology is an inexpensive, highly efficient and reliable way to destroy more than 99.999% of all pathogens within seconds without the additional use of chemicals or harmful side effects.