Frequently Asked Questions
Does UV-C really kill bacteria and viruses?
Yes. For several years, the scientific community has published peer reviewed studies regarding the effectiveness of UV light in eliminating bacteria, viruses, protozoa, funghi, and algae. UV-C was only identified in 2018 as the band of light that was responsible for the germ killing results.
For the last few years, hospitals have been using these lamps to decontaminate the air in rooms, medical equipment and personal protective equipment.
Can UV-C light pose a risk to my health?
Recent peer reviewed studies have found that pure UV-C is not harmful to humans since it cannot penetrate skin or tears in the eye.
However, Philips recommends avoiding exposure to eye or skin and operating in an enclosed environment which shields users since Philips UV bulbs radiate a small amount of light rays in UV-B and UV-A range. This could cause sun burns.
Are LED's better than Philips Bulbs?
No. There are currently no commercially available LED's which guarantee the specific spectrum of light for UV-C which kill bacteria and viruses (100-280 nanometers).
Philips brand UV-C bulbs are the only bulbs on the market that guarantee that the product emits UV-C light.
Consumers commonly purchase LED "wands" or other LED products from China which are nothing less than a black light!!! This gives the user of the lamp a false sense of security.
How Does UV-C Kill Surface Born Viruses and Bacteria?
UV-C disinfection targets the nucleic acid of the cells, breaking up and rearranging their RNA and DNA, rendering them harmless. As the UVC radiation is absorbed into the cells they become unable to reproduce or multiply to infectious numbers and are considered inactive or dead.
How Does UV-C Kill Airborne and Aerosolized Viruses?
The powerful 18 watt Philips bulb can illuminate a significant portion of a room, decontaminating all of the air it reaches. Since UVC light is mostly invisible to the human eye, the rays can travel farther than the perceived glow.