The idea that ultraviolet is capable of destroying pathogenic bacteria is not new: for the first time, mankind learned about its disinfecting properties back in 1878, when ultraviolet began to be actively used in hospitals and factories. In the future, the beneficial properties of ultraviolet radiation began to be used to destroy microbes that live in tap water, which turned out to be resistant to chemical disinfectants, such as chlorine. Today, when the need for frequent disinfection has greatly increased due to an outbreak of coronavirus infection, the request for the purchase of ultraviolet equipment has become one of the main trends among users of the Western Internet. However, is it true that ultraviolet light can kill a coronavirus or other infection and is it safe for humans?
Ultraviolet is not only capable of destroying pathogenic bacteria, but it can harm a person
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Ультрафиолетовое излучение — это невидимая часть солнечного света, которая делится на три типа. Ультрафиолет типа А обладает самой большой длиной волны и способно проникать в базовый слой кожи человека. Ультрафиолет типа B имеет среднюю длину волны и является причиной солнечных ожогов. Ультрафиолет типа C имеет минимальную длину волны и используется при сварке металлов. Научно доказано, что ультрафиолетовое излучение способно уничтожать микробов.
UV light damage
Ultraviolet light, first discovered by German physicist Johann Wilhelm Ritter in 1801, is a unique electromagnetic radiation that can destroy harmful bacteria. Being an integral part of sunlight, ultraviolet radiation affects not only the bacteria around us, but even affects the general well-being of a person. So, it is known that with a chronic lack of solar ultraviolet radiation, a person begins to suffer from chronic depressions, and his health gradually begins to give serious failures.
However, is it true that the use of ultraviolet light can protect us from the rapidly spreading COVID-19 infection? And if so, maybe the usual sunny weather can defeat the epidemic?
As you know, sunlight contains three types of UV radiation. The first is UV-A radiation, which makes up the vast majority of ultraviolet radiation reaching the Earth’s surface. It is known that UV-A is capable of penetrating deep into the skin, being the main cause of wrinkles and age spots.
Внимание: В соляриях используется излучение УФ-А, однако его интенсивность более чем в 10 раз выше обычного солнечного. Будьте предельно осторожны и внимательны при посещении соляриев. А лучше вообще этого не делать, т.к. долгое и интенсивное воздействие УФ-излучения вредит здоровью.
Abuse UV-B radiation, can harm our skin and often leads to sunburn and even skin cancer, writes bbc.com.
The third type of ultraviolet radiation is UV-C – consists of the shortest wave of light and is capable of destroying the genetic material of both humans and microorganisms. Luckily for all of us, UV-C radiation is effectively filtered out by ozone in the atmosphere long before it reaches our fragile skin, however, scientists have learned to use this type of ultraviolet light for purposes that are useful to humans – for example, for welding metals.
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Some types of ultraviolet radiation can destroy the genetic material of living organisms.
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Although there are no studies to investigate the effects of UV-C on COVID-19, ultraviolet light is widely used in China to disinfect surfaces in the most visited public places and hospitals.
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The bus is disinfected with UV-C in Shanghai
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Although UV-C is currently used almost universally, its improper use can lead to burns, even after only a few seconds after the start of operation. The Sun was and remains a much safer and more natural method of surface disinfection, whose light is still used to sterilize water and is even recommended by the World Health Organization as a means to kill harmful bacteria. As an example, scientists cite the increasing cases of influenza in Brazil that occur during local forest fires, when smoke dilutes the sun’s ultraviolet radiation.
Еще больше актуальных статей о коронавирусной проблеме вы можете найти на нашем Telegram-канале.
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Forest fires in Brazil cause outbreaks of flu due to smog suppression of solar ultraviolet
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One recent study showed that the longer the flu particles were exposed to concentrated sunlight, the weaker their infectious properties became. Unfortunately, currently no one knows whether the ultraviolet radiation of the Sun can similarly affect the coronavirus, which is why its potential use in real life can be extremely problematic. So, we don’t know how much time is needed to destroy COVID-19 with the help of sunlight and how much energy may be required for this. In addition, the disinfection of human skin with ultraviolet radiation will lead to significant damage, thereby increasing the risk of skin cancer.
Кроме того, как только вирус окажется внутри вашего тела, даже самая большая доза ультрафиолета уже не сможет помочь при лечении инфекции.
Earlier, we at Hi-News.ru already talked about the fact that there are a large number of methods for treating surfaces for disinfection. You can read about how to protect yourself and your family from infections, in this article.
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