If professionally installed, yes, UVC lights are entirely safe in your home. Proper installation is the key concept because UVC light exposure is dangerous to living organisms of all types.

The Dangers of Ultraviolet C (UVC) Light

Ultraviolet radiation is fairly safe and undeniably necessary for life on our planet – but it’s still radiation and excessive exposure, or even normal lifetime exposure, can have health consequences. UVC is the most dangerous wavelength of ultraviolet light that generally doesn’t reach the Earth’s surface thanks to the ozone layer.

Exposure to UVC light can pose several risks, including:

Skin damage: UVC radiation can cause skin burns and irritation, even with short exposure times. Prolonged or repeated exposure can lead to skin aging, increased risk of skin cancer and other skin disorders.

Eye damage: UVC light can cause damage to the eyes, including photokeratitis (a painful inflammation of the cornea, sometimes referred to as "welder's flash" or "snow blindness") and cataracts. Direct exposure to UVC light can be particularly harmful to the eyes, so protective eyewear should be worn when handling UVC devices.

Harm to other living organisms: UVC radiation is effective at killing bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms, which is why it is used for disinfection purposes. However, this also means it can be harmful to other living organisms, including plants and household pets, if they are exposed to the radiation.

Why Would You Want to Invite This Form of Radiation Into Your Home?

Sterilization. UVC is positively deadly for bacteria, viruses and mold spores – essentially any little microbial invaders that are carried in the air and circulate through your home’s ductwork.

Where Can UVC Lights Be Safely Placed in the Home?

Any home with an HVAC system contains spaces you never see – namely the inside of your ductwork. UVC lights can be placed in ductwork where the rays can’t escape, but any microbial contaminants that pass through your ductwork will get zapped when they pass by that UVC light in your ducts.

UVC Lights Are an Increasingly Important Tool in a Variety of Settings

Air purification: In the average home, UVC lamps are primarily used to improve indoor air quality (IAQ). A properly installed UVC light can inactivate about 70 to 80 percent of airborne microorganisms per cycle through the system, drastically reducing the risk of airborne disease spread.

Water treatment: UVC lights are used in water purification systems to disinfect drinking water, swimming pools and wastewater by inactivating waterborne pathogens. UVC radiation can also help reduce the formation of harmful disinfection byproducts in water.

Healthcare settings: UVC lights are employed in hospitals and medical facilities to sterilize instruments, surfaces and rooms. They can be used in operating rooms, patient rooms and laboratories to reduce the risk of infection.

Food industry: UVC lights are used in the food and beverage industry to disinfect surfaces, equipment and packaging materials, as well as to extend the shelf life of certain products by reducing microbial growth.

Laboratories and research facilities: UVC lights can be used to sterilize equipment, lab benches and biosafety cabinets to maintain a sterile environment and prevent contamination.

Public transportation: UVC lights have been increasingly used in buses, trains and airplanes to disinfect surfaces between trips and improve air quality for passengers.

Personal devices and consumer products: Small UVC lights are available for personal use, such as portable disinfection wands and devices designed to sanitize items like smartphones, keyboards and face masks.

Most people don’t use UVC lights at home in the same way doctor’s offices, hospitals or public transportation use them. To minimize the risks associated with UVC light, it is important to follow safety guidelines and precautions when using UVC devices. Depending on the device, this may include wearing protective clothing and eyewear, limiting exposure time, using timers and safety interlocks and ensuring that the area is clear of people and pets before operating the device.

The effort involved and risk of using UVC lights often outweighs the benefit for the average household – but installing them in ductwork eliminates both those disadvantages.

Harness the Power of UVC to Improve Your Home’s Indoor Air Quality

You can take advantage of this low-cost, highly effective indoor air quality tool by calling the experts at Home Air Services. Our team excels at safely installing and servicing UVC light systems in all types of HVAC systems. Contact us at (301) 585-8100 to learn about the benefits of UVC air purification or to schedule installation.