12 items in this article
1 item on sale!
Read more
An employee of the Chilean-Brazilian airline LATAM monitors the operation of a robot that uses UV light to clean the interior of the aircraft.
Photo: Nelson Almeida/AFP via Getty Images
We first heard about the disinfecting powers of UV-C light (ultraviolet light with a wavelength between 200 and 280 nanometers &#; and the same light that causes sunburn and skin-cell mutation in humans) while talking to certified sex coach Gigi Engle about the best rabbit and bullet vibrators you can buy online. She uses a UV-light sterilization pouch to clean her sex toys of bacteria that could lead to yeast infections or bacterial vaginosis. According to her, UV light is much more convenient than soap and water. &#;You just need to wipe off your toys and pop them in the pouch and you&#;re done,&#; she says.
That made us wonder: If UV light is better than soap at cleaning sex toys, what else might it be useful for cleaning? To find out, we talked to five medical professionals (and one Strategist staffer who swears by her UV-light-blasting water bottle). Eric Lee, a St. Louis&#;based physician, says that &#;UV light, the type used in most common devices on the market to clean household objects, has been shown to be effective in laboratory studies at killing bacteria on computer screens, toothbrushes, and other objects. It has also been shown to affect viruses in similar ways that it affects bacteria.&#; According to Alex Berezow, a microbiologist and senior editor at Big Think who has written on the topic, &#;UV light is lethal to bacteria and viruses because of its high frequency that scrambles and damages their nuclear material. When it damages the DNA (or RNA) code of these pathogens, it also triggers lethal mutations that prevent them from reproducing properly.&#; (As we all protect ourselves from unnecessary coronavirus exposure, we also asked if the existing technology was effective against it. According to Dr. Aaron Glatt, the chair of medicine at Mount Sinai South Nassau and a spokesman for the Infectious Diseases Society of America, &#;there&#;s just not enough evidence to say whether [UV light devices] are an effective tool against COVID-19 or not.&#; Berezow, however, says, considering that &#;UV light kills everything &#; bacteria, fungi, viruses &#; it should kill coronavirus.&#; What we do know for sure is that it is effective against other viruses like the flu.)
With their advice in mind, we found a number of devices that use UV light to kill a range of dangerous bacteria and viruses from MRSA to E. coli. One of them is a UV-light-emitting robot that quite literally zaps operating rooms clean of all pathogens. Another is a giant UV light wand designed by Boeing to disinfect the insides of airplanes.
Outside of those industrial uses, there are a bunch of portable UV sanitizing boxes, wands, and water bottles that claim to kill 99.9 percent of bacteria and viruses on phones, toothbrushes, pacifiers, and a number of other surfaces. We&#;ve found the best available online and included them below. Note that, while none have been proven to kill the coronavirus, a number of them have been put through rigorous third-party lab testing to support their claims. And just in case we need to say it, UV light should never be used on the skin or any other part of the body. Also, you should be careful not to look at it when using a UV-light device to clean objects or surfaces.
[Editors&#; note: No matter how effective these devices are at killing germs, none of them can replace frequent hand-washing, social distancing, and wearing face masks.]
Munchkin Portable UV Sterilizer
$20
Linda Lee, environmental health expert and chief medical affairs and science officer at UV Angel, says UV light and chemicals like bleach or ethanol are equally effective methods for sanitizing surfaces. She suggests using whatever cleansing method is available to you, but points out that, in some situations, UV treatment can be superior. &#;For instance, chemical treatment might be difficult for a baby&#;s pacifier, because the way chemicals work, there&#;s a residual left behind that continues to treat the surface,&#; she says. So maybe don&#;t scrub your baby&#;s pacifier with a Clorox wipe and then hand it right back to them. Another benefit of UV light over wipes or paper towels is that you create less waste. Although Linda Lee has not tested this product, Munchkin claims that it has been put through rigorous testing by an independent lab.
$20
at Munchkin
Buy
$20
at Bed Bath & Beyond
Buy
59S Nursery Sterilizer
$130
This sanitizer, also made by Munchkin and 59S, is designed to sanitize larger things like kids&#; toys, baby bottles, cell phones, or other household items. It takes just five minutes to kill 99.9 percent of bacteria and viruses. Plus, it&#;s lightweight and folds down for easy carrying.
$130
at Munchkin
Buy
Coral UV Sterilizer and Dryer
$169
$169
Here&#;s a similar sanitizer from Coral UV that fits up to four bottles with caps and nipples. And its effectiveness has been tested by an independent laboratory.
$169
at Coral UV
Buy
HoMedics UV-Clean Portable Sanitizer
$80
Berezow, Eric Lee, and Linda Lee all agree that UV light is most effective when used to disinfect something that is likely to come into contact with germs from multiple people. So under normal circumstances, or if you&#;re staying mostly home due to social distancing and not touching anything from outside your personal bubble because of coronavirus, &#;the germs on your are most likely the same germs that are normally found on your hands,&#; says Berezow. Since most people touch their phones thousands of times a day, killing those germs is rendered pointless once you pick it up and start swiping again. That said, if you leave the house to go grocery shopping, you should be cleaning your when you return &#; preferably before cleaning your hands. You can do that with an alcohol or Clorox wipe, or you can drop your in a box like this (though, again, UV light has not yet been proven to kill the coronavirus). And in general, if your baby drops their pacifier on the grocery-store floor or shares a toy with every kid on the playground, disinfecting it with UV light could reduce the spread of germs. This UV sanitizer from 59S can be used to disinfect phones and keys as well as small objects like pacifiers, toys, or even teething rings.
$80
at Amazon
Buy
$80
at Amazon
Buy
59S UV Light Sanitizer Wand
$120
$120
&#;I think these devices would make more sense in public places,&#; says Berezow, who strongly believes that industrial UV-light devices could reduce the transmission of diseases on a large scale if used in airplanes, restaurants, and other places where people congregate. &#;Unfortunately it&#;s an inconvenience and expensive,&#; he says. For now, and as an alternative to chemical cleaners, many UV sanitizing wands have been shown to work about as well as a Clorox wipe at killing bacteria and viruses on smooth nonporous surfaces like airplane tray tables or cell phones. After looking into the research around UV wands for the Strategist, Berezow says, &#;I would say that UV-light wands may be useful as an alternative to chemical cleaners on tabletops or other &#;plain&#; surfaces.&#; But he couldn&#;t find any information regarding rough services like fabric or hotel bed sheets. Purvi Parikh, an immunologist and allergist with Allergy & Asthma Network, says that portable devices such as this &#;are helpful on surfaces and objects such as your but should not be used on your skin.&#; 59s recently came out with this folding UV-light wand that shuts off automatically to protect your eyes when it is turned upside down. According to the manufacturer, its lights have a life span of 10,000 hours, and it can kill up to 99.9 percent of germs on keyboards, desks, sofas, and bathtubs in just three minutes.
$120
at 59S
Buy
VeriClean Portable UV-C Wand
$110
$110
Like the options above, this portable UV-light wand is designed to kill 99.9 percent of surface bacteria as well as most viruses and mold spores. For best results, the brand recommends holding it two to three inches away from the object you want to sterilize, for at least ten to 20 seconds. It&#;s also important to note that this wand will not shut off when turned upside down. So you should use caution to not look directly at the light when using it.
$110
at Oak & Hearth
Buy
UVDF are exported all over the world and different industries with quality first. Our belief is to provide our customers with more and better high value-added products. Let's create a better future together.
There are also several water bottles and bottle caps that harness UV light to kill germs in your water, reducing bad odors and in some cases making the water safer to drink. Strategist associate director of audience development, Stephanie Downes, who is immunodeficient and extra sensitive to bacteria due to her Crohn&#;s disease, got a Larq water bottle as a gift from her sister after several water bottles with built-in filters didn&#;t work for her. She says &#;because of my Crohn&#;s I can&#;t drink water from the tap. At home, I have a Berkey filter, but it&#;s nice to have this with me when I am out of the house so I can pour tap water in, press a button, and make it drinkable.&#; For a slightly less expensive way to sanitize your water, you can purchase this UV bottle cap that fits most S&#;well-shaped water bottles.
Katadyn Ultra Water Purifier
$120
$120
The rechargeable Katadyn SteriPEN water purifier uses UV-C light to kill 99.9 percent of protozoa (including diarrhea-causing Giardia and Cryptosporidia), bacteria and even viruses. It was designed for backpackers and travelers as a waste-reducing alternative to buying bottled water. The company claims it can sterilize 16 fluid ounces of hot or cold water in less than a minute and 32 ounces in 90 seconds.
$120
at REI
Buy
get the strategist newsletter
Actually good deals, smart shopping advice, and exclusive discounts.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
By submitting your , you agree to our Terms and Privacy Notice and to receive correspondence from us.
The Strategist is designed to surface the most useful, expert recommendations for things to buy across the vast e-commerce landscape. Some of our latest conquests include the best acne treatments, rolling luggage, pillows for side sleepers, natural anxiety remedies, and bath towels. We update links when possible, but note that deals can expire and all prices are subject to change.
If you're responsible for maintaining a business or commercial building, this can be a very uncertain time. COVID-19 has changed the way all of us operate. Your building may either be closed, reopening, or overrun with people. Regardless, there is one thing that's top of mind: the health of everyone who uses your building.
Germicidal ultraviolet disinfection (also called UV-C) products can kill up to 99.9% of viruses and bacteria on surfaces without the use of harsh chemicals.
These UV-C disinfecting products are not just for hospitals. Any commercial building like hotels, banks, and offices can benefit from UV-C disinfection.
Modes of transportation like airplanes, trains, subways, and buses can also benefit. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is currently using them to keep the transit system as safe as possible.
There are multiple ways you can use the disinfecting power of UV-C. One of those options is a mobile UV unit. Before you get started with any new system, we recommend you consider the following factors:
- Disinfection time &#; How quickly do you need the product to work? If you're thinking of using a mobile disinfection unit in a hospital, you may have less cleaning time available than if you're using it in a hotel.
- Labor &#; Do you have the staff available to move UV disinfection products to different areas or rooms? Even if they are robotic, mobile UV disinfection units require someone to operate them.
- Space &#; How big is the space you need to disinfect? Do you need more than one disinfecting unit to operate efficiently? How much area do UV-C products cover? Your space will determine the best option for you.
Keep reading for the pros and cons of mobile UV disinfection units, the best places to use them, and products available for you.
It's important to note these products contain germicidal UV, which can be harmful to humans. If used incorrectly, UV-C radiation can hurt the skin and eyes. The Illuminating Engineering Society recently released a report with safety guidelines that should be followed along with manufacturer guidelines. You can also read more about safety here.
Pros of mobile UV disinfection units
- Mobility &#; The biggest perk of mobile UV disinfection is the fact that you can move them to the threat, or the area you want to disinfect. All you have to do is plug the unit in one room, allow it to run its cycle, then unplug and move it to another area. If you have multiple rooms to disinfect at different times of the day, moving the UV-C disinfection unit between spaces is easy.
- Operate on any schedule &#; Instead of using ceiling or wall mounted UV disinfecting products that operate on a schedule, mobile UV units can be used when it's convenient for you. This is especially beneficial in areas that are used frequently, like hospital rooms, hotel rooms, or airplanes. When you know the room is empty, you can run the germicidal UV unit.
- Adjustable equipment &#; There are several different variations of mobile UV disinfection units. Some are robotic, some are pushcarts, and some are built on stands like the products mentioned below. Most involve adjustable equipment to make sure you are hitting the areas you want to hit with germicidal UV light. That leaves little room for hiding spots for germs.
- Easy to use &#; With proper training, it's easy to operate mobile UV units. Most also come with occupancy sensors that will shut off if motion is detected.
Cons of mobile UV disinfection units
- Move room to room &#; Mobility may be a big advantage for mobile UV disinfection units, but it can also be a con. If you have multiple rooms you want cleaned at the same time, it might be better to buy UV-C disinfection products that are either wall mounted or ceiling mounted and can run on a timer or with controls. Plus, if you have an extremely large building, relying on one mobile UV disinfection unit may not be a reality to clean all of the areas you need. Some customers have ordered multiple units to give them more flexibility.
- Labor requirement &#; This is linked to the con listed above. Someone has to man the system, and move it from room to room. You should think about your staffing and whether or not this is a reality for your current staff or crew.
- Time constraints &#; While some mobile UV disinfection products operate on a timer, you may want to use your unit in an area that's frequently occupied. The room should be empty while the system is running to limit exposure.
- Multiple cycles &#; UV rays disinfect by line of sight, meaning any area that UV energy does not hit will not be disinfect. Also, UV does not penetrate through furniture or other objects. You will probably need to run multiple cycles in a room to make sure all areas are disinfected. Finding the right dose is also key in this process.
How to tell if mobile units are working
Since you may have to run mobile UV units multiple times in a single space, you probably want to know if they're hitting the surfaces you need with the right dosage.
One option is called the UVC Dosimeter.
You can place the dosimeter on different surfaces before you run a cycle. The yellow dot or spot in the middle of a card will change color based on the UV dose that hits the surface.
The dose needed to inactivate coronaviruses like SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) is between 10 and 20 mJ/cm² in laboratory settings.
The dosimeter provides a good benchmark to follow and will help you decide the best placement of mobile UV units. Following this standard can help decrease exposure time while increasing disinfection rate.
Where to use mobile UV disinfection units
The first place you probably thinking of using mobile UV disinfection units is a hospital. Yes, they can help fight against healthcare-associated infections and protect patients. Hospitals have used mobile UV units for many years.
But mobile UV disinfection units can also work for other commercial buildings.
Right now, businesses are trying to reassure employees and customers that their buildings are safe and as clean as possible. As our economy returns to normal, using a mobile UV disinfection unit can let your customers and employees know their health is your highest priority.
Here are some suggested application:
- Airports &#; You can plug in multiple UV disinfection units, line them in the aisle of an airplane, and disinfect the plane in minutes. Germicidal UV is also a good option for airport bathrooms, but you will have to temporarily close the bathroom to make sure no one is in there at the time.
- Restaurants &#; Germs can easily spread from the bathroom to the kitchen in restaurants. Some mobile UV disinfection products (like the ones listed below) are FDA approved and safe to use around food. Using germicidal UV in the kitchen and bathrooms can protect both customers and workers.
- Grocery stores &#; Grocery stores generally have very large open spaces, but mobile UV disinfection units can work in areas where germs originate, like bathrooms and back-of-house areas.
- Banks &#; Think about how many people touch ATMs or bank counters throughout the day. Using a mobile UV disinfection unit at the end of the day or first thing in the morning can protect your customers and your employees.
- Hotels &#; You can plug in a mobile UV disinfection unit in one room while the cleaning crew focuses on changing sheets in the next room. Disinfecting hotel rooms is a great way to protect your guests and keep them coming back to your hotel.
- Primary care centers &#; A lot of people are currently visiting their doctors office with COVID-19 symptoms, potentially exposing other patients. Protecting primary care centers with germicidal UV can help stop the spread of viruses and bacteria.
- Assisted living &#; Caring for the at-risk is a high priority with COVID-19, and as a result, assisted living facilities and other senior care centers can benefit greatly from the added layer of protection that germicidal UV light offers. Mobile units give the greatest flexibility in these environments, but taking the step to install permanent fixtures may become the new norm.
- Commercial offices &#; A lot of your employees may be working remote right now, but they will come back into commercial office buildings eventually. Using germicidal UV is a great way to ensure they are safe at work.
Click here to learn how to use UV products for specific industries.
Mobile UV disinfection units for sale
When it comes to selecting the mobile UV disinfection unit that's right for you, there are several factors to consider.
How much power do you need? What average cleaning cycle time is ideal? Are you going to use the mobile UV disinfection unit in smaller rooms or larger spaces?
There are a variety of options available, from large pushcarts to smaller units with wheels.
PURO&#; Lighting, a UV disinfection company, has four mobile disinfection units available for purchase. These products use broad spectrum UV and pulsed xenon technology to disinfect.
Here's a comparison of each of these products, powered by Violet Defense&#; technology:
- Sentry M1-2-T &#; The Sentry M1-2-T gives your 360-degree with two Helo F1 units on a tripod stand.
- Sentry M2-T &#; The Sentry M2-T features a tripod stand that can be easily moved. This unit involves the most labor because it must be carried, but still gives you flexibility.
- Sentry M2-C &#; The Sentry M2-C has a rolling stand, so it's easier to move around. The average cleaning cycle time is 30 minutes.
- Sentry M4 &#; The Sentry M4 gives you more power and nearly 360-degree coverage.
We have a more thorough look at the pros and cons of PURO's products here.
We also have three products available from American Ultraviolet®, a company that started making UV products in .
All of these mobile units can achieve the same level of disinfection. The difference is in the intensity and the amount of exposure time. Here's a comparison of each of these products:
- ARTZ 2.0 &#; This is a healthcare-grade product made specifically for hospitals. It's powerful, gives 360-degrees of coverage, and can disinfect frequently touched surfaces within minutes.
- MRS45-12 &#; Slightly slimmer than the ARTZ 2.0, the MRS45-12 uses 12 UV-C lamps to provide 360-degree coverage. The MRS45-12 is ideal for senior living centers.
- MRS33-8 &#; The MRS33-8 is the smallest mobile unit made by
American Ultraviolet®
, but can still provide UV power for cleaning crews in commercial offices, restaurants, or hotels.
Another portable option to consider is American Ultraviolet®'s handheld unit called the Blade. Watch the video below to see how it works.
This is a great solution for areas that are otherwise hard to reach, like keyboards and office equipment, elevator buttons, and other high-touch surfaces.
The Blade emits UV-C rays, so safety guidelines need to be followed. Safety glasses are included, but long sleeves and lint-free gloves are also recommended while operating.
UVC Blade
View product
Using a dosimeter is a great way to test how long you need to hold the Blade over a surface for full disinfection.
If you are curious about the best ways to use mobile UV disinfection units in your commercial building, please do not hesitate to contact us. We would love to find a solution that best fits your needs.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of uv sterilization device for sale. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.
Comments
0