Disinfection Technology in Hospitals: Harmful effects of UVC

Abstract

Ultraviolet C (UVC) disinfection is an effective technique for inactivating bacteria and viruses, while being non-corrosive to medical equipment. It is therefore very useful for hospitals. However, the handling of this type of radiation without precaution presents a potentially significant danger for the human health. This hazard can manifested immediately or after a long period, by harmful effects ranging from simple erythema to authentic skin cancers. Therefore restrictions should be imposed to control and avoid the risks involved in professional uses. For this reason, the limit values for exposure to UVC radiation have been specified and recommended by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP).