Part of: GS Prelims and GS -III – Science & Technology
In news Ultraviolet-C or UV-C Disinfection Technology will soon be installed in Parliament for the “mitigation of airborne transmission of SARS-COV-2’’.
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: UVA, UVB and UVC.
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.
UVC lamps used for disinfection purposes may pose potential health and safety risks depending on the UVC wavelength, dose, and duration of radiation exposure.
Direct exposure of skin and eyes to UVC radiation from some UVC lamps may cause painful eye injury and burn-like skin reactions.
Some UVC lamps generate ozone. Ozone inhalation can be irritating to the airway.
However, studies have shown that far-UVC light (207–222 nm) does not harm mammalian skin as they have a very limited range and cannot penetrate through the outer dead-cell layer of human skin
About the UV-C air duct disinfection system
Developed by CSIR-CSIO (Central Scientific Instruments Organisation).
The system is designed to fit into any existing air-ducts and the UV-C intensity can be calibrated according to the existing space.
The virus will get deactivated in any aerosol particles by the calibrated levels of UV-C light.
It can be used in auditoriums, malls, educational Institutions, AC buses, and in railways.
