Frequently Asked Questions
Finsen Tech has complied a list of FAQ’s to assist your research into our product offering. Please feel free to reach out to us if you have an unanswered questions.
Clostridium difficile, commonly known as C. diff, is mainly contracted through direct contact with contaminated surfaces or objects. Hands with C. diff spores can transmit infection when the person touches their mouth. It often spreads in healthcare settings, where bacterial spores can be transferred from person to person or person to object via unwashed hands or medical equipment, flushing a contaminated toilet with the lid open, and fixtures like faucets, light switches, or doorknobs. These spores can survive on surfaces for long periods, making effective disinfection crucial.
UVC technology effectively inactivates C. diff spores by disrupting their DNA, preventing replication and spread. THOR UVC® is particularly useful at eradicating C. diff by disinfecting whole rooms from floor to ceiling, including areas other robotic systems struggle to reach. Using UVC in healthcare environments ensures a higher standard of hygiene, significantly reducing the risk of C. diff infections and promoting a safer environment for patients and healthcare workers.
Sources:
https://www.yalemedicine.org/conditions/c-diff-infection
https://www.cdc.gov/c-diff/about/index.html
https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/disease/clostridioides-difficile.htm
UVC disinfection enhances indoor air quality by targeting and neutralizing airborne pathogens like bacteria, viruses, and molds. By altering their DNA or RNA, UVC light effectively prevents these microorganisms from multiplying and spreading. This results in a substantial reduction of harmful airborne particles in the air.
Implementing UVC systems in ventilation and air conditioning units or systems like EIR® ensures continuous disinfection of circulating air, promoting a healthier indoor environment and reducing the risk of airborne-related illnesses. EIR® exposes indoor air to germicidal UVC light and passes it through industry-leading HEPA filtration to produce clean air everyone can breathe easily.
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The amount of UVC exposure required to inactivate viruses depends on several factors, including the type of virus and the duration of exposure. Generally, higher intensities and longer exposures result in greater effectiveness.
For many viruses, exposure to UVC light at a wavelength of around 254 nm can effectively disrupt DNA or RNA within seconds to minutes, depending on the specific environment and UVC system used. UVC systems are typically configured to ensure optimal exposure dosage to reliably inactivate a broad spectrum of pathogens while maintaining safety for the surrounding environment. Always refer to specific product guidelines for accurate exposure times and safety protocols. Trials may be necessary to determine the precise exposure for the surface or room you are disinfecting. Consider any areas UVC light cannot easily access, especially due to shadows or obstructions.
Sources:
https://uv-light.co.uk/uv-dosage-required-to-kill-microorganisms/
Yes, UVC technology can effectively inactivate C. diff spores on surfaces. UVC light disrupts these spores’ DNA, preventing them from replicating and spreading. This makes UVC an essential tool in healthcare environments, where controlling C. diff is critical to maintaining high hygiene standards and ensuring patient safety.
THOR UVC®’s constant wave technology kills C. diff on surfaces throughout entire rooms, including complicated, sensitive spaces like operating rooms. By comparison, hand-cleaning surfaces can miss up to 50% of pathogens. If used daily, THOR UVC® is proven to reduce hospital-acquired infections by up to 37%, including infections caused by C. diff lingering on surfaces.
It is important to note that while UVC light can eradicate C. diff from surfaces, C. diff can still be carried on your hands after you have touched a contaminated surface. Thorough handwashing, wearing gloves, and practicing safe waste handling are all key elements of C. diff control.
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UVC disinfection is generally safe when used according to proper guidelines and precautions. Direct exposure to UVC light can harm skin and eyes, so it is crucial to follow safety protocols that prevent exposure. This includes automated systems that operate when spaces are unoccupied and shut off if motion is detected or shielded designs for continuously operating devices. Such safeguards are built into the THOR UVC® system. Organizations that purchase THOR UVC® also receive thorough training for safe operation.
By ensuring UVC systems adhere to safety standards, they can be a safe and effective disinfection method. As an added safety benefit, our systems require no chemicals and produce no residue or ozone. UVC light, however, is considered a complementary practice to traditional cleaning with disinfecting products, which may involve chemicals.
Source:
https://www.fda.gov/radiation-emitting-products/tanning/ultraviolet-uv-radiation
Yes, UVC light effectively inactivates a wide range of germs and bacteria on surfaces and in the air. It works by inactivating airborne pathogens such as bacteria and viruses at the DNA or RNA level, preventing them from replicating and spreading.
UVC systems can be standalone like EIR® or integrated into air circulation and ventilation units. They continuously treat the air, which ensures a healthier indoor environment. EIR® systems circulate air at least three times per hour and are configurable according to building specifications. In a single pass, EIR® has a remarkable 99.995% kill rate. EIR® combines UVC light disinfection and HEPA filtration to maintain optimal air quality in healthcare settings, offices, schools, and other high-traffic spaces. Our UVC systems like THOR UVC® and EIR® can be adjusted according to the environment they are cleaning to guarantee thorough disinfection.
UVC light is effective against a broad spectrum of pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi. By targeting their DNA or RNA, UVC light prevents them from reproducing, neutralizing their ability to cause infections and spread.
UVC light easily kills common pathogens such as influenza, coronaviruses, molds, and antibiotic-resistant bacteria, making it a versatile tool in disinfection and infection control. UVC light systems also help control the spread of high-concern diseases like measles, Ebola and mpox by treating objects, surfaces, and air. Our THOR UVC® and EIR® systems work effectively in diverse environments, from homes undergoing mold removal to schools combating COVID-19 and influenza to hospitals fighting MRSA.
Sources:
https://www.health.wa.gov.au/Articles/U_Z/Ultraviolet-disinfection-of-drinking-water
UVC light is a type of ultraviolet light characterized by its short wavelength, typically between 200 to 280 nanometers. It is distinct from other forms of UV light, such as UVA and UVB, due to its energetic potency and strong germicidal properties.
While UVA and UVB reach the Earth’s surface and play roles in skin tanning and vitamin D synthesis, UVC is absorbed by the atmosphere. However, when used in controlled environments through devices like lamps and the lighting components in our UVC solutions, UVC light effectively inactivates microorganisms by disrupting their DNA. As a result, it plays a pivotal role in disinfection and sterilization.
Source:
https://www.stouchlighting.com/blog/uva-uvb-uvc-differences
https://scied.ucar.edu/learning-zone/atmosphere/ultraviolet-uv-radiation
UVC light can inactivate viruses on surfaces rapidly, typically within seconds to minutes. This includes surfaces like furniture, counters, or desks as well as the surfaces of smaller objects like phones and remotes.
The speed of inactivation depends on factors such as the virus type, the intensity of the UVC light, and the exposure distance and duration. The closer and stronger the exposure, the faster UVC light works.
By effectively breaking down the virus’ DNA or RNA, UVC light prevents it from multiplying, offering a swift and reliable method of surface disinfection.
UVC light is extremely efficient in inactivating COVID-19 and similar viruses by damaging their RNA, which prevents propagation and infection.
Laboratory studies have demonstrated that UVC light can significantly reduce the viral load of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19, on various surfaces and the environment when applied under controlled conditions. UVC light technology is a valuable tool in infection control strategies, especially when integrated into disinfection protocols for high-contact areas.
The THOR UVC® whole-room disinfecting robot and the EIR® air purifying series make an especially effective team for killing COVID-19 on surfaces and in the air in any indoor space.
Source:
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-85425-w
UVC light disables bacteria by damaging their DNA, specifically by causing the formation of thymine dimers that interfere with DNA replication and cell function. The dimers cause bumps in DNA and prevent strands from bonding, effectively killing bacteria or preventing reproduction.
UVC is generally useful against a wide range of bacterial types, though sensitivity may vary among different species and strains.
It is most efficient on surfaces and air within environments where controlled application and exposure conditions are optimized for thorough disinfection. THOR UVC® is designed to eliminate pathogens on the surface and in the air throughout an entire room with constant waves of UVC light.
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UVC light has been scientifically validated to effectively inactivate a broad range of bacteria by disrupting their genetic material, preventing reproduction and growth.
Its reliability hinges on applying the correct dosage and ensuring adequate exposure time. UVC systems are calibrated to optimize these parameters, providing consistent and effective disinfection when used properly. Provided operators use the correct settings and follow training, UVC systems can kill most bacteria on surfaces and in the air. The EIR® series, for example, inactivates airborne bacteria with an impressive 99.995% kill rate on a single pass.
Studies and practical applications across various industries highlight its efficacy as a microbial control measure.
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UVC light is utilized to manage and diminish infectious pathogens by targeting and inactivating their genetic material. This prevents germs from spreading.
By employing UVC systems in environments such as hospitals, laboratories, and public spaces, the microbial load on surfaces and in the air can be reduced, lowering the risk of transmission.
The integration of UVC technology like our THOR UVC® whole-room disinfecting robot and EIR® air purifying systems into air and surface disinfection efforts provides continuous treatment and protection, creating safer spaces. When applied correctly, UVC is a potent tool for infection control alongside existing hygiene protocols. Traditional practices like handwashing and cleaning with disinfectant chemicals are still recommended, but the addition of UVC light makes infection control strategies substantially more successful.
UVC technology mitigates airborne diseases in medical settings by deactivating airborne pathogens that linger in the air. Integrated into ventilation and air conditioning systems or utilized in standalone solutions like our plug-and-play EIR® systems, UVC light regularly treats the circulating air. It disarms bacteria and viruses as they pass through, harming their DNA or RNA to prevent them from multiplying.
This continual disinfection process significantly lowers pathogen concentrations, reducing airborne transmission risk. EIR® systems combine UVC light with HEPA filtration to move one step further in creating cleaner and safer air, helping hospitals and clinics maintain high standards of hygiene and patient safety.
No, UVC light does not replace manual cleaning. Instead, it acts as a supplementary measure, enhancing surface and air disinfection. The greatest chances of successful infection control come with traditional cleaning with disinfectants combined with UVC light, because disinfectants kill many pathogens while UVC light damages them so they cannot reproduce and spread.
Manual cleaning misses up to 50% of pathogens. Where it fails, UVC light solutions like THOR UVC® finish the job.
While UVC effectively inactivates organic matter like bacteria and viruses with invisible light, it does not remove physical debris or dirt. Therefore, routine manual cleaning remains crucial for overall hygiene, ensuring both physical cleanliness and microbial safety are maintained. UVC bolsters these efforts by targeting pathogens that manual cleaning may miss.
While UVC disinfection is effective, it does come with certain limitations and concerns. One challenge is the presence of shadows, especially those directly beneath UVC units, which can prevent effective coverage and potentially lead to cross-contamination. This issue becomes prominent with mobile units, where pathogens might be transferred from one area to another by wheels.
Furthermore, accurately calculating UVC dosage for full deactivation of pathogens is complex and often placed in the hands of under-trained staff, which can lead to inconsistencies.
The high initial purchase cost of UVC systems is another consideration, although these costs are often offset over time by reduced healthcare-associated infections (HAIs).
Finally, maintenance can be costly. UVC units are vulnerable to physical damage like broken bulbs due to frequent movement within facilities, which increases service costs.
Despite these challenges, when managed properly, UVC disinfection provides significant benefits as part of a broader infection control strategy.
We hope these FAQs helped you to understand UVC disinfection better.
Again if you have any remaining questions, please feel free to contact us.
