![]() ![]() Consequences of using UV-C light on your body can include severe sunburn-like burns and retinal damage. Tyler Hollmig, director of dermatological surgery at University of Texas Dell Medical School in Austin. These devices "tend to come in many different shapes, sizes and strengths, and thus their antimicrobial ability may be variable," says Dr. This means what you see may not be what you get - an extremely important consideration, because although very low-dose, far-range UV-C light may not harm humans or animals, using too powerful a dose too close to your skin can indeed be harmful. This is partly because many (if not most) of these products are not FDA-approved or approved by any governing health agency, for that matter. Though scientists are working on ways to make these powerful disinfecting products safe for people to use, current devices are not safe to use on your body. Tyler Hollmig, director of dermatological surgery at University of Texas Dell Medical School in Austin "No UV light device should be a substitute for hand washing, mask-wearing and distancing."ĭr. The WHO echoes this, reporting on its coronavirus myth-busters webpage that people should not use UV lamps to disinfect their hands or other areas of skin, as UV radiation "can cause skin irritation and damage your eyes." Stick to washing your hands with soap and water (following proper hand-washing guidelines), or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer when soap and water aren't available. This means you should not use UV light as a hand sanitizer. This includes the deadly Middle Eastern respiratory syndrome coronavirus, aka MERS-CoV and severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus, or SARS.īut there's one huge caveat: "UV light damages human skin, so it should only be used on objects or surfaces," the NASEM continues. "UV light has been shown to destroy other coronaviruses, so it will probably work on the novel coronavirus," the website reads. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine reported that ultraviolet light probably can kill the coronavirus. There's no evidence right now that typical sun exposure can kill the coronavirus, so no, going outside on a sunny day won't reduce your risk of catching it.īased on the available scientific evidence that UV light can destroy various viruses, it's probably true that UV light can kill SARS-CoV-2. It works because UV-C light is strong enough to destroy the genetic material - either DNA or RNA - of viruses and bacteria. According to the National Academy of Sciences, it's probable that this is true, because UV light has been used to disinfect surfaces and water for a long time, and it's generally successful. There's man-made UV-C light, too: It's what's in the UV light sanitizers that companies claim kill the coronavirus. UV-C light, which has the most energy of all three types, is the most harmful, but it fortunately doesn't reach the Earth's surface because our atmosphere absorbs it. UV-A and UV-B light cause sunburns and premature skin aging, and exposure to both is associated with the development of skin cancer. There are three classes of UV light: UV-A, UV-B and UV-C. Before ordering the first UV light sanitizer you see, read up on the current evidence about UV light disinfectants and the potential risks of using them on yourself.Ī quick primer on UV light: UV light comes primarily from the sun, but there are also man-made sources of UV light, including tanning beds and the currently buzzed-about UV disinfection lamps. ![]() ![]() There are risks that come with using UV light devices, especially when using them on your skin. When it comes to the coronavirus, though, things aren't so clear-cut. Many consumer devices also use UV light to disinfect things, such as self-cleaning UV light water bottles and UV-emitting cases that clean your dirty phone. UV light is the latest popular tool in the ongoing race to find ways to prevent oneself from catching SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.ĭisinfection by way of UV light is nothing new: The International Ultraviolet Association says it's been a useful technology for over 40 years, contributing to clean water and clean air. With man-made hand sanitizer in short supply, many people are turning to what's been called "nature's hand sanitizer," or ultraviolet light. For the most up-to-date news and information about the coronavirus pandemic, visit the WHO and CDC websites. ![]()
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