UV light kills viruses. Why isn't it everywhere?

The promise and pitfalls of using light to stop germs.
Subscribe to our channel! goo.gl/0bsAjO
When you think of disinfecting a space, what comes to mind? Wipes? Gels? Sprays? Maybe air purifiers or effective HVAC systems? All of these are great defenses against viruses and bacteria, but one thing has been missing from the toolkit despite our knowing about it for over a century: light.
Ultraviolet light is an incredibly powerful disinfectant. Study after study has proven that it can obliterate viruses and bacteria, and yet it’s not often thought about as a defense against germs. In fact, when most people think of UV, they think of the harmful rays from the sun that cause cancer - not the PR you want when advertising, obviously. Luckily, a few years after the pandemic lockdowns, researchers have found a type of UV that isn’t strong enough to penetrate human skin but still effectively stops the germs. Could it be our next defense? Check out the video above to learn more.
Don’t forget to read the full article on our website by Dylan Matthews: www.vox.com/the-highlight/239...
Studies on far-UV’s effectiveness against various viruses can be found here: www.nature.com/articles/s4159...
www.nature.com/articles/s4159...
www.nature.com/articles/s4159...
For more on ozone production (including Barber’s study):
pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021...
(MIT’s write-up on her study: news.mit.edu/2023/germicidal-...)
pubs.acs.org/doi/full/10.1021...
The ill-fated mouse study (even though they didn’t get cancer this time, we’re still sad about it!):
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/f...
The original study from 1937 can be found here:
ghdcenter.hms.harvard.edu/fil...
For more on 1Day Sooner and Far UV Technologies:
www.1daysooner.org/about/
faruv.com/
Vox.com is a news website that helps you cut through the noise and understand what's really driving the events in the headlines. Check out www.vox.com.
Watch our full video catalog: goo.gl/IZONyE
Follow Vox on Facebook: goo.gl/U2g06o
Or Twitter: goo.gl/XFrZ5H

[@israrisrar3800]

"why isn't it everywhere?" Should be a docu series

[@CapnCody1622]

I’m sure 90% of the time, the answer is cost and greed.

[@adrianblake8876]

And in this case, lying to the audience. The video literally said "Far-UV doesn't cause cancer", which is outright false. UV-C is the most harmful of the UV lights...

[@Y2Kvids]

Don't give them ideas .. for free

[@tiffanysandmeier4753]

Cost and greed go hand in hand, but even without greed, the cost of good UV lights is still very expensive. And isn't necessarily greed but cost effectiveness. They are expensive to produce and don't necessarily last that long. I am saying this as someone with just the experience of buying UVB bulbs for a pet reptile. The florescent UV bulb has to be replaced around every 6 months even if it is still producing light because the bulb breaks down in a way and produces less UV light. And testing that UV is being produced isn't practical. It isn't something that we can see, so it is better for the animal to switch periodically than to wait for it to burn out. And they are much more expensive than regular florescent bulbs.

[@CapnCody1622]

@@tiffanysandmeier4753 Then that proves that it’s a greed thing. UV lights are clearly beneficial. In your context, sure, it is expensive but you do it because you’re not greedy for the wellbeing of your pet. The government needs to think the same way about their citizens. Not everything needs to be monetarily profitable if it improves the wellbeing of humans.

[@sebastienwatling349]

Another thing to be considered is that UV is EXTREMELY damaging to some materials such as plastics. there would be unexpected costs on paints , computers, appliances, Anything with plastic on it.

[@seanplace8192]

Exactly. UV doesn't just break down DNA of microbes, it also breaks down other chemical bonds, including those in plastics and other synthetic materials. This is why you may see some plastics begin to "Yellow" after being left outside for so long.

[@SweetHyunho]

Yay, more microplastics!

[@my.names.robb.with.two.bs1]

The free market will pivot with the proper solution when the time comes like it always has. Spread the word.

[@MildMisanthropeMaybeMassive]

Also pigments and anything printed as anyone who left photos, books, papers facing a bright window for years know.

[@michaeladkins6]

@@my.names.robb.with.two.bs1 Oh good. Just trust free market Capitalism.

[@krishp1104]

My biggest fear getting a Far UV light bulb would be that manufacturers cut costs and ship defected UV lights that are harmful

[@jayandremcmurtry7331]

which they totally would 😭

[@FriskyDingo329]

From Chima?

[@youtube7076]

so is 5g but who cares....

[@xryphon]

@@FriskyDingo329 Probably from the US or somewhere else, quality control is pretty difficult and costly

[@my.names.robb.with.two.bs1]

Then they'll come up with a UV detector that will tell you what a device is giving off. Like a carbon monoxide detector.

[@88GODZORA88]

Vox unfortunately missed a few very important points to UV. HVAC Enginner here. For the last 100 years UV lights have largely been mercury lamps which have their own health risks. LED technology is getting there, but it hasn't got to the point of commercial usage. I am also surprised how much they glossed over how HVAC systems for non-residential often use UV for coil cleaning and you can add lights more to clean the air. I guess they simply don't understand you can add this to the airstream of 100% OA system and provide relatively clean air for building occupants. Also, you STILL need filtration and standard is to go with at least a MERV-13 filter as a final filter before entering most spaces. This is a 7min video but the fact they didn't talk more than a few words in this aspect of air treatment is mind boggling.

[@user-pg1ns1tf3o]

good but this isn't a HVAC enginer class its a vox video

[@krishp1104]

yeah they mentioned it at the end for a minute because this is a video about UV not HVAC. Though I do think they could've easily added a little bit more about it

[@SamSB250]

you have a point. i do think that what these type of video does do is make you wanna know more about it. look at these types of video as a " Kick starter " the spark that lights up ur Curiosity.

[@ttoleafoa70]

What's a few words to you is a lot of info intake for us who are not familiar with this field

[@sixclones6672]

Regarding the LED technology, there is a very good video by Veritasium on this topic published around a week ago

[@jimaaman]

"low wavelength" is a confusing way to say "short wavelength". It would seem less confusing to say "short" since the term "low frequency" is associated with long wavelengths (not short wavelengths like UV-C)

[@reynamainz]

glad someone else noticed this too. even the illustrations of the waves are inaccurate. and to think that UV-C waves are closer to x-rays in the spectrum. this is just plain confusing for the average viewer.

[@giovannirafael5351]

It's also super confusing, because short wavelength means higher energy and should be even more dangerous.

[@ipikluninja91]

Istg I thought the same. I was so confused when she said "low" wavelength. I understood that as long wavelength at first because I usually associate long wavelength = low frequency = red side of the spectrum. Then after I thought a bit realized she meant "short" wavelength.

[@user82938]

She seems like she did one day of learning before making this video.

[@DANGJOS]

​@@reynamainz How are they closer to X-rays?

[@thermitebanana]

"Low wavelength" is the weirdest expression, and I don't think I've heard it before. Short wavelength - yes Low frequency (which means LONG wavelength) also yes Low wavelength - never

[@yevrahhipstar3902]

Peak to trough?

[@evonne315]

It's just a little depressed.

[@aut0tech]

may be a new american way using words...lol

[@hbrpaulo]

It means Low wavelength frequency, perhaps... I don't know

[@MagicRoadrunner]

@@hbrpaulo The formula used to describe the relation of wavelength and velocity is "wavelength = velocity devided by frequency" (in light waves, velocity will be the speed of light). Wavelength refers to the length of one period, Frequency refers to the amount of periods that pass in a certain time. The smaller a period is (short wavelength) the more periods fit in a second (high frequency), as you can also see in the formula. Small ("low") wavelength thus means high frequency, high frequency means high energy. "Low" sounds like "less intense", which makes no sense when talking about wavelengths.

[@kodakomp]

One of the biggest uses for UV light is in water/wastewater treatment. Was not mentioned at all. Helps with lowering the level of chlorine that is needed on water supplies drastically as you don't need as much to have a chlorine residual. Also the UV bulbs are secured in a vessel where it is not harmful to humans.

[@tabby73]

I was also waiting for this to be mentioned. We used to have a water filter/purifier that used UV light to make water safe to drink.

[@sethsmith6042]

@@tabby73 Those are perfect for backpacking, so much better than drinking iodine!

[@GungaLaGunga]

which makes me wonder why we don't use UV light to keep swimming pool water sterilized instead of massive amount of chlorine and muriatic acid.

[@jsaunders2152]

I was waiting for them to say that too but I guess the focus of the video was on open spaces where people live/work and not on what we consume.

[@jwonz2054]

It just shows the level of superficial analysis that Vox performs. Keep this in mind when they do more contentious topics.@@jsaunders2152

[@Yenzi769]

I never realized how versatile and effective UV light can be for disinfection. It's amazing how many different applications it has!

[@notmewooshme9916]

I will make an obvious statement on this checkmark account and gain potential subscribers 🤓🤓

[@HariSupriono]

Oh dear it's an Ethereum scammer. I can't remember the last time I saw one of these back when I simply watched KZbin without commenting

[@Natboy23]

UV is used to treat water all the time@@HariSupriono

[@bluecat5669]

This guy bought a 1 million sub channel

[@dylanbystedt]

Well, this video leaves a lot of info out... like bulb age, lumens, time, physical dirt, etc... there are many things to account for in UV disinfection. If it was simply better it would be everywhere.

[@wllmsp9338]

I have a UV sterilization "box" for my CPAP equipment. One unmentioned problem is how BAD the UV sterilization process makes the tubing and other pieces smell. As it radiates microscopic stuff it causes the release of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). This odor has been described as a sulfuric smell similar to rotten eggs, garlic, or burning hair. It's so nasty that I've reverted to cleaning with baking soda and non-scented dishwashing soap. So much for convenience.

[@SarahEZiegler]

Interesting, as someone sensitive to VOCs but also covid cautious, I had been excited by far UV but not aware of this, thanks for sharing, this was valuable information.

[@reid.manares]

That's ozone.

[@ArawnOfAnnwn]

@@SarahEZiegler UV causes reactions in more than just DNA. It also degrades anything made of plastic, among others.

[@SarahEZiegler]

@@ArawnOfAnnwn Yes, that is correct, I read quite a bit about it after watching this video and also read that. I still do think it may be a promising way to reduce the risks associated with exposure to airborne pathogens though, definitely needs to be done very cautiously though.

[@Species-lj8wh]

The same here. Tried it, and a month later got rid of it.

[@willemvandebeek]

The problem with UV light killing those bad viruses is, that 99.999% of the good microbes out there are killed as well... Living in a too sterile environment is in the long term not healthy either.

[@MauritsWilke]

Why not?

[@triiidot]

​@@MauritsWilke imagine if you stop using your legs your muscles will "forget" how to work, its like that with your immune system because your body creates its own atycorps

[@nicholasgreen8703]

​@@MauritsWilkeyour immune system is like a muscle. The more you responsibly work it, the stronger it gets. Without proper stimulation it gets lazy

[@willemvandebeek]

@@MauritsWilke if the immune system doesn't get in touch with any microbes because of the clean sterile environment, it will start attacking benevolent substances, like peanuts, dog hair, latex, etc., and now an allergy has begun to develop.

[@gypsyvegan]

The immune system is nothing like a muscle - it is more akin to a clutch on a manual transmission vehicle. Every time you use it, you use a little of it UP. @kurzgesagt has an excellent explainer on this. Akiko Iwasaki does an excellent job of making immunology approachable, she has several videos here on YT.

[@jessetorres8738]

In the video game Dying Light 2, 1 way to survive against the zombie infection is to be near UV lights. It doesn't cure the characters of the zombie virus, but it does slow down the infection spreading in their bodies at night.

[@1337billybob]

Speculative fiction has always been a great way to introduce ideas. It’s a good metaphor to start a discussion.

[@lobaandrade7172]

This is why I clicked on this video. Glad someone else did too

[@quetzalcat2839]

i love dying light

[@pabloesparza1990]

So look at the date I post this. This is something I have already commented on. The best 2 places this could be utilized would be in your refrigerator and in your bath/shower, not the entire bathroom. If you set those 2 locations up with a timer, you would get clean food that would last longer in the fridge and a shower that wouldn't grow pink/black patches. The negative side would be that the materials used in those locations would probably deteriorate a tiny bit faster, meaning that corporations would be happy. That's the offset foe getting the benefits of the light. Since it would come with a timer, you could also just choose not to use it as often. Point made here on this date money will be made later.

[@RyanFennec]

🤔

[@rogerhargreaves2272]

Correct, it can cause material decomposition. I use U.V.C. in the kitchen on a timer so no one is exposed to the radiation.

[@IndigoIndustrial]

I use a UV torch to treat the sealant (mastic) in my shower to stop mould growing. It works.

[@ASelfAwareCoolCranchDorito]

@@IndigoIndustrial thats actually genius

[@halgerson]

My first thought was installing them under the cabinets in the kitchen to disinfect work surfaces. Of course it wouldn't be enough to stop cross-contamination while cooking (e.g. using the same cutting board for poultry and vegetables without washing), but maybe to disinfect the counter so it is disinfectanted the next day.

[@Xanderviceory]

I use UV bulbs to eradicate mold in housing areas, works like a charm, just can't forget protective gear

[@Y2Kvids]

Just damages paint and plastics

[@FlyinDogRecords]

Can you expand on this please. I heard mold had to be cut off in the area. If not it can spread. Have you been successful at using the bulb in porus material?

[@philipk89]

Mold means not enough ventilation. Get the warm humid air out and cool dry air in. Preferably using a HRV system (heat recovery ventilation). Haven’t had any mold here since it was installed a few years ago!

[@FlyinDogRecords]

@@philipk89 Thank you so much. I will look into it. I had it sent to the lab and it came back non toxicity c but I'm going to get rid of it and look into the recovery system.

[@Rudenbehr]

@@philipk89some places like bathrooms are just naturally awful for mold

[@jimmurphy6095]

One benefit not mentioned is that this will also work on the so called "super bugs" that are resistant to current antibiotics. They can't build up a defense against this.

[@Happy-xi9hl]

They can...eventually some bacteria will come up with a mutation allowing it to survive UV, but it'll come at a huge cost.... nothing is impossible in the bacteria world....

[@hanifarroisimukhlis5989]

@@Happy-xi9hl Ehhh... not really. Pretty much the only way to survive UV is melanin or cyst, both have huge tradeoff with infectivity.

[@Selsato]

"They can't build up a defense against this" is the funniest possible sentence to say in the context of superbugs lol

[@JPA65]

Nature finds a way

[@RickJaeger]

I would bet against nature finding a way, tbh. Getting blasted with large doses of high-energy radiation is one of those things that kills things universally, such as getting dropped into the Sun.

[@Tindog81476]

Sometime interesting is during the pandemic we were manufacturing some LED UV lights for the military, and a strange thing happened we found when we shined a UV light on oil it lost its stickiness and fell to the ground. It was super odd. We were all just like "Did you know UV light did that?" Not sure an application for that but it was an interesting thing that we didn't know UV did. As soon as you removed the light the oil returned to being sticky. Kinda weird to see, I'm sure there is probably an application here, but we were just trying to disinfect surfaces.

[@iknowsolittle]

dude. this is a super interesting comment. could you expand on this or find some other people talking about this? pretty please?

[@grilledflatbread4692]

sounds like it would help in cleaning

[@Tindog81476]

That was literally the first thing we thought of/did we stuck it in our CNC mills closed the doors and turned it on, and all the chips and oil on the walls fell down, unfortunately, due to light always traveling in a straight line it missed some spots, but still got it pretty clean, it looked almost new. We did have to be careful though since UV light is actually dangerous, but not bad for turning the lights on and off. The old oil when it fell looked like black water running down the sides of the machine, when the light turned off it resolidified again. So instead of the oil being on the top of the machine, it was now on the bottom of the machine. It was pretty cool we tried it on several machines.@@grilledflatbread4692

[@hanifarroisimukhlis5989]

Simple answer: it also hurts humans. Antiseptic don't really hurts (in small quantity).

[@lazyman2451]

It’ll blind you when waking up in the middle of the night with that s$&@ on

[@FelipeKana1]

Also... it actually is everywhere. From the sun. That's why we should use sunblockers.

[@adrianblake8876]

​@@FelipeKana1 Ironically UVC isn't everywhere, because our atmosphere is very effective at blocking it. Shorter wavelengths, unlike what the video seems to imply, are more harmful. Even shorter than UVC are X-rays, and gamma rays, the latter being radioactively harmful...

[@gypsyvegan]

It depends on what part of the spectrum/what wavelength you're talking about. 222nm is only harmful if you're in immediate proximity to it, and still effective at killing viruses. The OSLUV Project is a good resource, as is Aaron Collins (aka The Mask Nerd) here on YT.

[@ether4211]

Antiseptics also hurt humans and are grossly overused - especially during COVID. We don't fully know how much damage they do at low doses but they certainly have an impact on your microbiome and some are known to depress the immune system or cause serious allergic reactions. Not to mention that repeated low dose usage promotes antibiotic resistance.

[@ebridgewater]

Also keep in mind we don't want the general environment too clean. Our natural immune system is very important and needs to be trained.

[@MedicinalBlood]

That’s a myth. Old wives tale.

[@madeline7272]

That’s what vaccines are for

[@BenjaminGoose]

Could you link to some information on that? I always thought it was true.@@MedicinalBlood

[@HowVeryDelightful]

​Not an old wives tale. Having a diverse microbiome has a myriad of different health benefits - including for your immune system. The key is close contact with nature. Many studies have shown significantly lower prevalence of auto-immune diseases in rural children compared to urban.@@MedicinalBlood

[@AkshayKumarX]

​@@MedicinalBloodisn't that the reason why so many kids develop ailments like nut allergies, etc because they didn't have a varied diet in their early childhood years? Natural inoculation towards diseases works the same way doesn't it?

[@Manuel-hd8qf]

I got hired at a light source company during the pandemic and business was booming for them

[@mysisterisafoodie]

I work for a company that is working toward getting this FDA approved by the end of this year, we’re getting there!

[@leahmcpherson7560]

Question: do the lamps generate a buzzing or humming? I'm susceptible to migraines but am still highly interested in a potential future purchase. Thank you for your time

[@mysisterisafoodie]

@@leahmcpherson7560 no, not at all, they entire device is in a contained capsule, with a mini glass view point (that isn’t really functional, more for the aesthetics of people seeing “UV light”). So it’s really quiet! But there is a cooling fan, which isn’t any louder than a laptop. The mercury lamp does deteriorate and need replacement after a year, so that will be a pretty costly consumable, but hey, I guess it’s just like lamps in your current lighting situation. Just a lot more expensive.

[@isaiahcabino6431]

What’s the name of the company? :)

[@HowVeryDelightful]

Having UV as a solution for cleanliness is misguided because it kills all microbes indiscriminately - microbes that are beneficial to humans and their environment. In some settings where cleanliness is of the utmost importance UV can be a good solution - such as hospital and laboratory settings where it is already in use.

[@doujinflip]

Only where the light touches though, which won't be everywhere. Even if not completely eliminated, just reducing the density of damaging pathogens in the environment goes a long way in suppressing the subsequent illness.

[@watema3381]

@@JDns-we4fw And soap.

[@AcidRP]

It's not for everywhere though, it's for hospitals, events, malls, ect...

[@Metqa]

@@JDns-we4fw So does fire...

[@gunsite45]

Very good comment. There's no need for this stuff at home. You aren't contacting the flu in your home bathroom or kitchen. Places where this is useful as you said, it's already there.

[@clkersting]

Maybe it's been mentioned, UV light also damages various materials. It prematurely breaks down plastics, wood, etc.

[@charlieclarke3713]

Thanks for this! Very informative!

[@hayeonkim7838]

Thanks for useful and informative video as always ❤❤❤

[@jtwrecks]

I have a UV light device with a proximity sensor that turns off if a human or pet is close to it. It's amazing

[@soup331emd5]

How much did it cost?

[@steveswoodworking2504]

How does this affect people with lupus who are sensitive to the sun and can get a rash in minutes? I spend a great deal of money and effort staying away from UV light.

[@Madonnalitta1]

So it's not for you. Move on.

[@steveswoodworking2504]

@@Madonnalitta1 Thanks for the kind words. If commercial businesses start putting these all over the place, it will affect me and others with lupus, and we may not even be aware they are being used. A lupus attack can start, which possibly can end up killing the kidneys. It's right in the title "Why isn't it everywhere", that is my concern.

[@Susyyasmin]

Thank you for sharing this. Very insightful

[@trailerwookie]

My friend built a rainwater collection and filtration system for a client. Part of the filtration and purification process involves UV light since the client uses the water for consumption.

[@analienfromouterspace]

Most common usage for UV.

[@bennydreamly]

What about the good bacteria on your skin? and in the environment? What would that do?

[@joelmulder]

UV kills them. It also damages the DNA in your skin with prolonged exposure just like sitting in the sun does, and will give you skin cancer.

[@Karlach_]

It kills them as well. UV light is indiscriminate with the bacteria and viruses it kills. This is why UV lights aren't good for households and are best used in places like hospitals and labs.

[@kirbykracklemusic]

It kills them as well, but the moment you step outside again it comes rushing right back.

[@kirbykracklemusic]

@@Karlach_Yes, UV-A and UV-B is best used in hospitals and labs. Far UV (222nm) cannot breach the outer layer of the skin or eye making it safe and extremely effective against both airborne and surface laying pathogens in the home and workplace.

[@GP-qz6kk]

@@kirbykracklemusic That prevents damage to our DNA and cancer, but there's also good microbes outside of our body.

[@neo122333]

I'm a bit concerned about the neutrality of having a CEO on who literally sells the UV lights discussed in the video. Wouldn't the profits from the advertising of his own use counter any negative downsides of the use?

[@malinullberg]

UV IS widely used as disinfectant in drinking water treatment plants, since a few decades! Very good against bacteria and parasites, but less so viruses /Process engineer for water systems

[@mikerooney7600]

They have Portable ones you can buy too. My Ultrablu literally doubles as a phone charger! Literal life saver.

[@robertnathanson]

I have one too. It’s the best thing ever and I just got one for the entire family! Thank you Michael Rooney!!!!! ❤😊

[@HomesOnSocial]

I have an UltraBlu for each member of my family as well. My wife and I actually use it all the time we preferred using it over hand sanitizer, which was drying out my hands to no end.

[@mikerooney7600]

@HomesOnSocial all I want is a charged phone! The covid hocus pocus is a bonus 👌

[@HomesOnSocial]

@@mikerooney7600 facts!

[@buccizero]

I set up my 1st aquarium back in 90.. it included a uv sterilizer. UV is unstoppable

[@007KrausBean]

Great information. Sadly, here in America people seem to be of the "All or nothing" mindset which means I could see so many people latching on to UV as a fix for things and over doing it. This makes things worse and creates more problems. If only, the general public did more reading, research, and learning before going all in.

[@gladitsnotme]

Yeah that's just an American thing, not a human problem at all. Only Americans overdo things.

[@aiocafea]

@@gladitsnotme while I don't like generalisations, I do feel like the over-abundance in The US can promote a sort of 'spend now, think later' way of solving issues, where cost-effectiveness and consequences in the long term are not very visible with immediate prices up until deployment

[@doujinflip]

Americans express it openly, but the absolutist mindset is common throughout humanity particularly with easily-terrorized traditionalists.

[@adrianblake8876]

This video is by definition, misinformation. The reason UV is harmful is because of the shorter wavelength, so they suggest bombarding us with lamps that emit even shorter wavelengths. The reason UVA and UVB are more infamous is because they have a long enough wavelength to NOT be blocked by our atmosphere. To demonstrate, we're bombarded 24/7 by extremely long wavelengths for radio broadcast, and the public panics even though they're relatively harmless...

[@kirbykracklemusic]

An understandable concern, and with that the moment you turn it off or step outside everything starts growing back right away.

[@graemepennell]

So hold on, the first answer to your question tells you all you need to know, yet you still ask the question again for ... what? Hope of a different answer?

[@hko2006]

Ya I remember seeing one in my classroom, I wondered how effective it was, thank you answering this for me

[@rubysresource]

This is why I have a set of Nukit Torch Far-UVC Lights as part of my mitigation toolkit, along with my Aranet4 and comfortable Trident valved P2 masks. Having multiple layers of protection and real time air quality measurements at my disposal gives me flexibility and lets me make informed decisions about how I want to manage risk in different circumstances.

[@UjjwalKumar_234]

"... even though they operate at a low wavelength ..." -- Vox 😂

[@mabonora]

Why did you choose to show the spectrum graph that way? I get that the axis is showing wavelength instead of frequency, but the other way around is more common and especially more clear! Even infrared gets its name because is "below" red and UV (ultraviolet) because is beyond violet, don't they?

[@jmckendry84]

I disagree that they way you describe is more common. It doesn't seem unusual to me for the plot to show shorter wavelengths on the left and longer wavelengths on the right.

[@mabonora]

@jmckendry84 And how do you explain INFRAred and ULTRAviolet?

[@florianluo8131]

This was super interesting, I did wonder why its not everywhere, forgot about the cancer risk. Here in Hong Kong for example we have UV-projecting disinfectant gadgets above lift buttons and door handles, as well as little machines on escalators that UV disinfect the handrails, hopefully more to come.

[@Awakening_Sunshine]

I have a UV box for sanitizing my phone! I also sometimes use it to disinfect cloth masks before washing them

[@michaelcarey]

Low wavelength? Light is measured by its frequency. Does low wavelength mean low amplitude, a weak UV light? IIRC all UV-C is bad for you. There have been quite a few situations where people have inadvertently exposed to UV-C germicidal lamps instead of UV "blacklights" and suffered severe skin and eye damage.

[@YokoFuongAnh]

I have a LarQ water bottle that has UV light and I love that I dont; have to worry about bacteria/viruses that can be in the water I drink 🤗

[@blues03]

I watch resotoration channels that deal with yellowed plastics. It's nice to see the explanation behind the process.

[@jakemoeller7850]

We had UV lights in the men's gym changing rooms. They were positioned on the walls near the ceiling, pointing up. This was in the early 60s.

[@peterjones701]

When I used to work at a hospital I remember seeing UV sanitizers being wheeled around.

[@erictaylor5462]

There was a club owner who had a black lite on the dance floor. When that light burned out he replaced it, with a UV light meant for sanitation purposes only. UV-C. It liked just like the old light so he had no idea what he had done before the complaints started coming in. It was bad

[@MrMonkeybat]

How many people were affected? What were the worse injures?

[@jmckendry84]

Citation needed

[@davidrennie8197]

What I'd love for my home: solar-powered device pulling in air from outside, whacking it with UV then HEPA-grade filtering along the route to to pumping it at positive pressure through the house. Toilet output to be UV-irradiated on its way down south - maybe UV light in underside of seat to come on whrn the lid is down.

[@robertlivingston360]

Most hospitals and public buildings use a lot of stainless steel for commonly touched surfaces, but its not as effective as using copper. Copper just needs more polishing.

[@Pou1gie1]

I have a portable water purifier I got from REI in 2004 that uses UV light technology, and I used it is Papua New Guinea. I never got worms or any other ingestible pathogen ...so I guess it worked. Other ppl told me they had gotten stomach worms from drinking the water and eating the food.

[@tayloriginals999]

I wonder if it could be paired with better air movement and filtration. Put the lights inside the duct work where it won't expose people before improved filtration to filter out the ozone.

[@FR-oz9px]

That’s what probably didn’t fit into this short video and wasn’t promoted by the company they’ve interviewed. If you ask scientists, that’s exactly what they’re saying.

[@BudzBunny422]

I have a UV light phone disinfectant and a UV light toothbrush holder. I love UV I know fast-food and restaurants have UV light in the kitchen

[@martinweizenacker7129]

That's probably not a UV-C light in the restaurant, but UV-B (does not desinfect) and it's purpose is to attract insects to keep them away from the food.

[@wombat.6652]

The thing that worries me, the searches I do come up with a LOT of "buy our lamps" not a lot of scientist' studies.

[@darkroastordeath]

The ICU in my hospital has UV lights in the bathrooms that automatically switch on when no one is inside. Dunno how much good it does (good thing I'm watching this video!) but it's pretty cool

[@FR-oz9px]

That should be the standard tbh. Toilets were constructed without droplets and aerosols in mind. That’s dangerous in a hospital.

[@Realsagarbhat]

"Drew, I need a UV Light."

[@TillerMicroSkiffs]

Shine this inside of the hvac ducts contra to the airflow flow would limit human impacts

[@dystopia9289]

Why isn't UV light used in every fridge, switching off when you open the door? Veggies would last much longer 🥦

[@TLGIII]

I like our plan. When are we going to implement this and how much money can we make? You can be the CEO and I’ll be the CFO.

[@1gorSouz4]

Someone commented that the uv light damages plastic

[@Karlach_]

Most foods are wrapped in or contained within plastics nowadays. UV light breaks down plastics.

[@PeanutsandPopcorn]

@@TLGIII😂😂😂😂

[@zettaiengineer4202]

absorbed uv generates heat which is counterproductive to keeping things cool

[@BudzBunny422]

Restaurants and fast-food use them in the kitchen. You might even see a blue light in the dining room area at some places.

[@Martin-dz7gy]

Those are insect traps. The light attracts the insects and there is glue paper near it to catch them. They are not meant to sterilize the air

[@nguyenlamanh2919]

Why low UV is safer? I thought the lower the wavelength, the stronger it is. Shouldn’t low UV create more cancer?

[@waamintion5653]

Its still on the high end of the frequency range. Its just low enough to not cause immediate damage.

[@RyanFrazee-xs4gl]

Yes, UV-C is more powerful and more penetrating than UV-A or B, the writers of this video got it backwards.

[@ineedtoeatcake]

Thank you scientific method.

[@recklessroges]

I thought that this was already deployed on some escalator hand rails, using a clever device that is powered by the movement of the hand rail itself.

[@4RILDIGITAL]

I hadn't realized the potential of far-UV light as a disinfectant until now. The possible side effects, such as ozone production, are definitely a concern that should be further researched. This could indeed be an important additional tool in our health safety toolkit.

[@DanielDogeanu]

Placing UV light barriers inside HVAC and filters seems far more effective to me than placing it directly into the room. Kind of like water sterilizers work.

[@brianaa96]

I wonder how effective are the hand held wands people use to disinfect and does the light really have to be constant like those shown in the schools

[@Fomites]

I have been wondering for several years why this has not been implemented much more widely.

[@jalex4251]

I own uv c lights and I caution people BE CAREFUL! they don’t seem strong until the damage is done.

[@tylerfortier2666]

Dying Light 2 noises intensify

[@Karlach_]

Stray noises intensify as well

[@VINTERIUM..EXPLORIUM.1]

Nice Work & Video 👍

[@themarcusismael13]

Just like in the game dying light where every door to and inside a safe zone has UV light bars. I’ve always wondered what the real world application could be and it turns out it’s not far off.

[@theemersonstuff]

Doesn't light reflect on surfaces? So, weren't those kids shown in the beginning of the video still in danger of developing cancer later in life?!

[@layneburton9172]

Can any microbiologists expand on the idea of viruses and bacteria mutating to become UV-resistant if the use of the techology expands, similar to the antibiotic crisis we're in today?

[@thomasellis1814]

I loved this!, I almost bought a UV phone cleaner before

[@boa1793]

Thank you for the caveats about this technology.

[@SmoggySandwich]

Put them on airplanes and in airports. I get sick every single time I fly and it would slow any spread of a new disease from country to country.

[@SweetGypsyMamma213]

Yes because the air before the flight takes off and during landing is at peak toxicity while onboard a plane.

[@FR-oz9px]

It’s already used in airports, but not in airplanes. Airplanes have HEPA-filters, because they’re recycling air inside, but they’re rather small. Air quality levels are often bad around boarding, if you carry a CO2-sensor with you, it’s quite astonishing to watch. I highly recommend you to wear a well-fitting respirator. I’ll never fly again without wearing one. There’s always going to be sick people on planes and it’ll only get worse from now on.

[@dlwestphalen]

You guys missed the chance to show the Sanuvox products used in commercial (shopping malls, hospitals) and residential applications. I have it installed in my home HVAC system.

[@joshnizzle]

They need something like that in schools now. My kids are constantly sick anytime they go to school and get around other kids. But when they’re home long period of time they don’t get sick basically ever really.

[@squibbelsmcjohnson]

Trying to shield your child from any and everything actually only does faaaaaaaaar more damage to them in life

[@joshnizzle]

@@squibbelsmcjohnson I didn’t say anything about shielding them from everything and making them soft pansies. You’re reading too much into that.

[@MrGuru666999]

Several youtubers have been analyzing commercial UV lamps finding some to be different of their package specifications making them dangerous for the people. Specially some UV-A or UV-B (the decorative or tanning ones) being actually UV-C (the germ killing, blindness making or cancer inducing ones)

[@DJH316007]

Why not just circulate the air through vents and do the UV cleaning in the vents?

[@Shmityorshen]

Believe it or not some places do this! Video missed it

[@ockertoustesizem1234]

hvac systems do that

[@ErmiusJillian]

fellas, it's better to take a bath of water than bathe something that literally says "Ultraviolet" light

[@Karlach_]

For now yeah, but the tech is evolving. Once it gets FDA approval you'll start seeing it much more often.

[@volpedo2000]

Interesting in certain applications and environments. I did find the tone condescending at times.

[@void2240]

UV light great idea. But please always specify when such device is there in public places.

[@savagepro9060]

1:21 That UV destruction is too slow. Let me boost it with some toasty nicotine. Yeah baby!

[@joshrockz100]

😂😂

[@AndSendMe]

This issue needs to go viral. It should have gone viral at the beginning of the pandemic, when scientists at Columbia had already done the research and if our country still retained anything like a WWII attitude we could have had air cleaners all over the place. Those who got in the way of this should be publicly shamed.

[@sophia.lb95]

UV was used in my middle school back in 07 during the MRSA outbreak

[@tonys.1946]

I'm down for having this at my house, where I can turn it on when I'm at work

[@rsmith02]

I've seen them in HVAC systems which seems like a good use (assuming ozone is being controlled).

[@savagepro9060]

UV . . . Ultra Vox . . . the next branch of a powerful enLIGHTENING KZbin channel

[@darkendkefka]

It would be interesting if yall did a deep dive into UV. I work in an industry with some lasers and a lot of UV light

[@micahnguyen8857]

The residential hvac industry has been using this tech since the 90’s.

[@MySNova]

Good video vox.. good video.

[@bloop_official]

Vox + Netflix explained + Johnny Harris + Cleo Abram is the best TV routine of all time, and the fact that all of these are related to Vox is mindblowing, the number of subscirbers of Vox are less than the video quality it creates.

[@no_name4796]

Fun fact: fow news youtube channel has around the same subs then vox lol

[@HygienistDentist]

I’d love to have this in treatment rooms in between patients.

[@photokunstler]

i just purchased one.. unfortunately its at 253 nm. hoping to get some help with people in household from having this annoying dry cough + clean/mop/vacuum.

[@jonahplayscello]

Cool

[@maximilianmorse9697]

It is everywhere, you never heard if the sun?

[@jacobshirley3457]

That star up there?

[@ajaykulkarni576]

Great muisc at the beginning. Where is that music from?

[@tiffanysandmeier4753]

I recently watched a video that discussed the issues that had to be overcome to create blue LEDs. In the end, they talked about research into making cost effective UV LED lights for this or similar applications. The scientist who made the breakthrough for blue LEDs is part of that research.

[@1gorSouz4]

Veritasium, right? Great channel

[@tiffanysandmeier4753]

@@1gorSouz4 Yep

[@nawa2396]

imagine if they put them in our screens

[@sn0tkore]

This smacks of the whole ultra clean environment issues. Allergies and autoimmune conditions could be tied to growing up in an ultra clean environments. Healthy people that aren't old aren't dying from every day illnesses. Maybe this is worthwhile in hospitals and care homes, but this isnt reqired everywhere.

[@reddragonflyxx657]

It's more complicated than that, and still being researched. The level of contamination in our current environments can be harmful too. Doing this in restaurants could easily turn out far more beneficial than harmful, and if we figure out which exposures are beneficial (which is useful regardless of UVGI catching on) it might not be necessary to get them through inhalation. We used to drink water contaminated by sewage. That's far worse for public health than our autoimmune disease issue. We haven't tested air treatment at that scale, but it could be a similarly clear net benefit. Excerpts from doi: 10.1073/pnas.1700688114 > Measles and many respiratory diseases proved not to be protective against allergic disease, and, in many cases, even increased the risk > “The trouble is, as soon as you use the words ‘hygiene hypothesis,’ the word hygiene prejudges what the cause is,” says Bloomfield. To the public, “hygiene” is interpreted as personal cleanliness: washing hands, keeping food clean and fresh, sanitizing the home. However, because the hypothesis has been largely uncoupled from infections, the idea that we need to be less hygienic is wrong. Relaxing hygiene standards would not reverse the trend but only serve to increase the risks of infectious disease, says Bloomfield. The term “hygiene hypothesis” also fails to incorporate all of the other factors now linked to the increase in immunoregulatory diseases. > Early in life is the key: It is likely any intervention will need to be done by 3 or 4 years of age, by which time a child’s microbiome is established and the immune system has completed much of its training.

[@billcox6791]

It could also be useful in other places where many people gather: classrooms, offices, stores, restaurants. You don’t know who they might be bringing whatever disease home to, and things like measles and covid are no joke even for healthy populations. But, I agree it’s not needed everywhere. At home, it would be both ineffective (more direct means of transmission are much more prevalent) and, as you mention, being too clean has its own issues (in addition to allergies, there are helpful microbes). Apply where appropriate, get vaccinated, wash your hands.

[@rhammond7517]

What about kitchens n bathrooms in buildings n places were large groups meet

[@darexinfinity]

Sprays, wipes, sanitizers are used on visible enemies or for timely "it's clean" maintenance. Many people do not utilize anything for germ prevention.