Five points to consider before purchasing UVC LED light products
The COVID-19 pandemic and the subsequent need to find safe ways of living and working mean that many people are only just learning about the germicidal properties of UVC LED light products. To add to the confusion, the market now seems flooded with many different products - all claiming to be the best. But how do you know the UVC product you are purchasing actually does what it says? Additionally, can you be sure you’re getting good value for money?
UVC LED light products work by the emission of UVC light waves, invisible to the human eye, which have the ability to inactivate microorganisms, bacteria, protozoa, viruses etc., at the DNA level and render them harmless. These germicidal properties have been known for over a century and UVC light has been used to sanitise drinking water, purify air and sterilise hospital equipment. The subsequent development of UVC LED from traditional mercury lamp technology has resulted in products that are more durable, longer lasting and without the harmful by-products of ozone gas and mercury.
However, caution should be exercised before purchasing as UVC light can cause skin and eye damage. So, when selecting products, it is vital to ensure that they have undergone rigorous testing and have robust safety features to prevent accidental exposure. Here I’ve put together 5 points to consider before you purchase.
- What do you need the product to do?
Think carefully about what you want to sanitise. For example, a hairdresser may require a small sanitising box to clean hairdressing tools between customers. A retailer may require a device to clean clothing or footwear. If you’re a manager, it may be an entire office you want to sanitise. Knowing exactly what you want to clean will help you select the relevant product and not be overwhelmed by the vast array on offer. If you’re unsure of what product would be best suited to your needs, discuss your requirements with the supplier.
- Buy from a reputable supplier
Its worthwhile doing your research here. How long has the company been established? Do they have a website and are they easy to contact? Does the website have images, videos and give dimensions of the product itself? Has the company suddenly ‘sprung up’ just to sell UVC products? If so, it could be that the company may ‘disappear’ in the very near future, leaving you with no come-back for faulty or sub-standard products.
- Does the product have a test certificate?
All products should have a safety test certificate to ensure it does what it claims to do. Additionally, always ask if the product has a warranty and make sure both of these are supplied with the product.
- What safety features does the product have?
All products should come with easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions. The products safety instructions should also be easily understood. Remember UVC can be harmful if misused, so it is vital that the product has an inbuilt fail-safe design.
- Beware a bargain
The old adage is often correct – if a products price seems too good to be true its usually because it is. UVC LED products are a relatively new technology that require a great deal of engineering design and should be regarded as a long-term investment, not a cheap solution.
If you’re still unsure, please contact us at info@inui.co.uk or alternatively call us on (+44) 01509 266355 for some friendly advice.