General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsUV light and viruses.
Several years ago I was working with an electronics contractor who was also working on a project to treat drinking water with UV light. This was a big array of (I'm vaguely remembering) 48" UV tubes in some sort of protective enclosures. The water to be treated flowed through the array tubes. The whole thing looked sort of like a prop nuclear reactor in a low-budget sci-fi film. Mind you, this wasn't that friendly black light that you used to make your Grateful Dead posters glow. This stuff would tear the paint off a Mack truck.
UV light used to be a thing in consumer sanitation a long time ago, but I'm guessing it fell by the wayside because of the hazards. I'm kind of wondering now if we should reconsider. Would it be possible to have an air cleaner where air, not water, flows through an array of UV lights? Would it even be worthwhile?
Also, might there be a way to use UV to safely disinfect surfaces without risk to people's eyes? I see banner ads for these gadgets. I wonder if they are any good -- and safe to use.
hlthe2b
(101,714 posts)Girard442
(6,059 posts)hlthe2b
(101,714 posts)superpatriotman
(6,232 posts)jls4561
(1,241 posts)Ilsa
(61,675 posts)Know how effective they are, or if they require time exposure.
We used to launder and hang outside to dry our towels, bras, etc if they had been infected with thrush (a fungal infection) that can ruin the regimen for breastfeeding mothers. The UV light is supposed to kill off the thrush.
Personally, I preferred a milder chemical attack with diluted vinegar.