Frequently Asked Questions about UV Lamp Disinfection

Microorganisms are simple organic structures that can easily absorb UV-C wavelengths, causing photodissociation (destruction). Microbial DNA (deoxyribonucleic acid) is first adversely affected due to its weaker molecular bonds. Within a hundredth of a second, it suffered irreparable damage. The subsequent loss of genetic instructions can cause the cell to die and/or fail to replicate, making it harmless. Continuous exposure will cause uninterrupted degradation, such as the sun, which will only be significantly faster.

What is UVC?

UV-C is one of many electromagnetic frequencies emitted by the sun. Like these other waveforms, their characteristics are unique to their wavelength. In order to synthesize this frequency, the glass tube is evacuated and filled with argon at a pressure far below atmospheric pressure. In addition, a small amount of mercury is added. When the mixture is energized (excited), it produces a plasma of glowing electrons passing through the mercury vapor. When they hit mercury atoms, mercury electrons are released at a frequency (253.7 nm) that represents the mercury spectrum. The main emission (>90%) of these lamps is UV-C energy. The "C" frequency of the electromagnetic UV series is especially bactericidal. This is so important that Westinghouse quickly "sterilized" low-pressure mercury vapor into commercial lamps in the early 1930s. Since then, its humanitarian value has been successful worldwide.