Are UV sterilizers safe?

[Micro-Reefs Aquarium]

Where is casing for that UV light? Is it shown here without the housing so we can see the bulb?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

I’ve heard that some of the UV lights used are invisible to our eyes, but the radiation can pass through cheaper plastics.

Seems like rolling the dice with something you’re looking at multiple times a day?

My understanding is that UV does not transmit well through silica glass or opaque plastics. Certain types of clear acrylic allow varying percentages of UV through. Always look for UL or CE listing when buying a unit.
Jay

 

[CanuckReefer]

Where is casing for that UV light? Is it shown here without the housing so we can see the bulb?

Yup! Scary stuff eh? Gives me the heebee jeebees just looking at it...you can purchase them at Walmart etc...

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Yup! Scary stuff eh? Gives me the heebee jeebees just looking at it...you can purchase them at Walmart etc...

Crazy! I wouldn’t use a bare bulb UV, even a low wattage one...
Jay

 

[Quietman]

UV radiation is easily absorbed by plastic, clothing or glass and then is no longer active. A cheap UV device that is covered in opaque plastic is going to be safe even if thin walled. My UV is in my cabinet and itself is covered by black plastic and a glass sleeve over the bulb. No worries here. I'd be more concerned with the electrical connections/transformers of a cheaper device.

That said...bulbs without covering can cause eye damage quickly and even skin damage if exposure is long enough and it's close enough.

Disclaimer...I am not a UV physicist/engineer. Always follow usage directions and take reasonable precautions with the technology and take appropriate safety practices for your specific usage.

 

[blasterman]

I know you guys are laughing at this, but go read some of the trash A Grandis posts in the lighting forum.

No, UVB/C can't pen plastic. It barely attenuated through water.

 

[Spare time]

This seems like one of the urban legends I came across often.
these include flat earth, popcorn popped by 3 mobile phones and 5G masts killing birds.
sorry but I can’t help jus laugh.

I think we need to distinguish what we all are talking about when we say "UV"

Long wave UV (300-400nm) can easily pass through plastic.

However, long wave UV is not the wavelength for sterilization (300-400 vs short wave 100-300nm). Short wave can't go through most plastics or ordinary glass.

https://teachers.stanford.edu/activities/InvisibleRays/InvisibleRays.pdf

 

[Jeffcb]

Just don't look at the light!

 

[attiland]

I think we need to distinguish what we all are talking about when we say "UV"

Long wave UV (300-400nm) can easily pass through plastic.

However, long wave UV is not the wavelength for sterilization (300-400 vs short wave 100-300nm). Short wave can't go through most plastics or ordinary glass.

https://teachers.stanford.edu/activities/InvisibleRays/InvisibleRays.pdf

Yes this just confirms nothing to be worried about.

 

[Spare time]

Yes this just confirms nothing to be worried about.

The "most plastics" is the thing I am unsure of

 

[Bo.]

The "most plastics" is the thing I am unsure of

Why?

 

[Simon Reefing]

Would y’all be worried about the green killing machine the highest wattage one?

 

[piranhaman00]

Bump. Most uvs have a view port so you can see the UV is on. Is this safe to look at ?

 

[Jay Hemdal Verified Community Expert]

Bump. Most uvs have a view port so you can see the UV is on. Is this safe to look at ?

I've also wondered about that, but since the view ports are small and made of transparent plastic (not UV transmitting acrylic) I've felt that there is no risk for the user from those.