Effectiveness of Using UV Disinfection
In many businesses, such as medical offices & facilities, commercial disinfection is a vital service. Healthcare providers helped their patients heal & preventing them from becoming ill due to viruses, bacteria & other microbes that, if left unchecked, can run rampant in such places. Other businesses, including schools & data centers, also trust in the effectiveness of UV disinfection. With proper disinfection, you can expect an increase in productivity & reduce the liability (& time expense) of working in a messy & unhealthy environment. In many cases, UV disinfection is an incredibly effective tool in the commercial space. We are excited for the opportunity to provide this service to our customers.
Here is a look at UV cleaning, the effectiveness of UV disinfection in the workplace & how to obtain UV disinfection & other commercial disinfecting services from Pritchard.
What Is UV Cleaning & How Does UV Disinfection Work?
UV light science has been in use for four decades. The method disinfects drinking water supply, wastewater, pharmaceutical products & environmental surfaces against human pathogens (germs). In recent years it has also gained traction as a powerful tool in disinfecting facilities, including medical facilities that see a high volume of both patients & germs each day, as the practice is sustainable & does not involve the use of harsh chemicals that staff & patients can be sensitive to.
Two types of UV rays (produced by the sun) reach the earth: UVA & UVB. However, UV cleaning involves a third type of UV ray -- UVC -- that is too weak to penetrate the atmosphere & results in premature aging & sunburn, like the other two types. Because these rays are too weak to reach the earth, many organisms have no natural defenses against them. This makes them a powerful tool for killing germs.
UV disinfection works by breaking down chemical bonds & disrupting the structure of DNA, RNA & proteins, which prevents an organism from being able to multiply. In order to sterilize a space, only UVC radiation at 100-280 nm will be strong enough to kill most organisms.
UV lamps apply radiation. Protective units to prevent direct between humans & lamps. These UV light disinfection systems effectively cleanse the air circulated through the building.
How Effective Is UV Disinfection Against Bacteria, Viruses & Other Microbes?
Not all UV lamps are created equal, with many lamps creating a range of wavelengths that can impact the effectiveness of killing germs. The lamp's effectiveness depends on its ability to provide radiation at a consistent wavelength high enough to disinfect.
UVC rays can only disinfect if the organism experiences direct contact with the radiation. An object will not be disinfected effectively if covered in dust or soil or if it is embedded on the underside of a surface, as well as a porous surface. The dose of radiation delivered to the area & the duration of the application both impact the effectiveness of UVC disinfecting.
Businesses obtaining UV disinfection services as part of an overall commercial cleaning plan have the added benefit of knowing the surfaces they're disinfecting are free of dust & debris that can give germs a place to hide.
Benefits Over Other Methods of Sterilization
The benefits of using UV disinfection over other methods of sterilization include the following:
- UV rays are sustainable & don't involve the use of harsh chemicals that can negatively affect staff, patients or customers.
- UV cleaning can kill many germs that other methods of sterilization leave behind.
- UV cleaning is versatile & is effectively used to clean air, surfaces & water.
Impact of UVC treatment is almost immediate. UV disinfection is more cost-effective than other sterilization methods & is easily applied by Pritchard's professional, certified cleaning staff.
Another type of disinfection method on the rise is Far UV-C. While newer, it shows promise of being safe to use in commercial settings, such as medical buildings, & can tackle tough viruses. Humans can withstand large doses of it without permanent effects.
Industries Best Suited for UV Disinfection
As COVID-19 taught us in 2020, places, where people gather together in close quarters, are prime areas for dangerous viruses to flourish. UV disinfection is particularly effective in helping cleanse the air & surfaces at public K-12 schools, universities & other commercial locations where a high volume of human traffic congregates.
According to the U.S. Food & Drug Administration, UV cleaning (with the proper strength, dose & duration) is generally effective in killing the SARS-CoV-2 virus (COVID-19). This makes UV disinfection an especially attractive option for healthcare facilities that continue seeing many COVID infections.
How Effective Is UV Sterilization in Hospitals, Medical Devices & Equipment?
Hospitals & other medical facilities & offices are a breeding ground for infection. Those who work in the space or receive treatment for ailments or injuries are always at a level of risk. Patients of all ages are at-risk for healthcare-acquired infections, associated to negative impacts on health, economic & social status.
According to a 2020 analysis of several studies on the matter of using UV sterilization methods in medical facilities, it indicates that UV disinfection is an effective addition to other cleaning methods, particularly for airborne pathogens such as the COVID-19 virus, which can exist both in the air as well as in the form of water droplets on surfaces.
The previous studies revealed that using UV to disinfect operating rooms, where there is often little time to clean between procedures thoroughly, can decrease the time & effort required to ready the room. UV disinfection was also particularly useful in shared restrooms, one of the places in medical facilities with the highest number of pathogens.
Disadvantages of UV Disinfection
One of the disadvantages of UV disinfection is that it can be ineffective at killing certain organisms, such as Cryptosporidium, a protozoan that can cause severe diarrhea. Cryptosporidium & similar organisms have thick, protective cell walls impenetrable by lower-powered UV light systems.
UV light disinfection has a limited penetration depth that hinders its effectiveness in disinfecting deep-seated or shielded microbes. UV light can cause damage to DNA & cell membranes, leading to developing resistance to disinfection.
Another disadvantage is that many people who use this method of disinfection are unaware of the differences in wavelength dose & duration that can either reduce the effectiveness of the UV radiation in killing germs or can cause such a high dose that humans in the area suffer impacts such as irritation to the eyes & skin.
How to Choose the Best UV Disinfection Service
Choose a company that offers the following:
Comprehensive employee training
UV disinfection services should be applied by a knowledgeable individual who is trained on its safe application. They should be able to answer your questions promptly & help you understand the benefits & risks of this disinfection technology. Pritchard emphasizes safety, developing our practices in compliance with OSHA, EPA, CDC & WHO guidance. Our team of over 10,000 members are all ISSA trained.
Pritchard is pleased to have earned memberships to the U.S. Green Building Council. We are Green Seal certified & practice all LEED certification requirements.
Accountability
You & your company deserve open & honest communication when seeking any commercial cleaning service. You deserve to have a commercial cleaning partner that takes the time to learn about your unique needs. Pritchard is committed to its focus on customer service & developing relationships with our clients built to last.
Services made-to-order
Every client we have has needs that are specific to them. We do not offer one-size-fits-all solutions. Our services arrive when need when you need them, with the ability to change your level of service at any time.
Service to a wide variety of industries
In addition to medical facilities, public schools, data centers & other commercial offices, we provide services to sports & entertainment arenas & transportation & warehouse facilities.
Commercial UV disinfection services are an important way to eliminate germs from both the air & surfaces in public places. In addition to this technique, we offer a wide range of other commercial needs, including window & carpet cleaning, emergency services. Our exterior services range from power washing & snow removal to landscaping services.
With a 96% customer retention rate, you can trust Pritchard with all of your commercial cleaning needs. Contact us today! Be sure to follow us on LinkedIn for the latest updates & insider tips & tricks!