UV Sterilizers are becoming a trend that parents are starting to pick up on – and for good reason. They’re easy to use, they do more than just sterilizing utensils and many more. While their benefits are usually worth the investment, some are still skeptical about their safety which raises the question: is UV sterilizer safe to use in your day-to-day life?
What the science says
The short answer is yes, UV sterilizers are generally safe for use. Hence the trend. The long answer is quite complicated and will need some science to explain. According to research done by the Skin Cancer Foundation, UVC, the type of UV light that kills germs, is carcinogenic and harmful to both humans and germs. But luckily for us, they are being filtered away by the ozone before they damage our skin. The amount of UV light needed to kill bacteria and germs will vary from household to household, but they will never be enough to penetrate the filter of the ozone.
However, it’s worth noting that it hasn’t been confirmed nor denied whether UV sterilizers are effective against viruses like COVID-19. From a recent BBC article, there is one type of UV that is effective against the virus, but they are very dangerous to our skin and cells.
In the light of these recent findings, the answer to this question is yes, UV sterilizers are safe to use because the type of UV light they give off, UVC, is being filtered out by the ozone. There is still lots of research ongoing regarding how they can be utilized to combat the virus which will most likely cause another craze in UV sterilizers’ sale if proven.
How powerful are UV sterilizers against germs and bacteria?
UV sterilizers are very effective against germs and bacteria. The time it takes to kill a bacteria will vary with its size and species, but they generally do not take a long time since again, UV is so powerful against it. UV is also effective on a variety of materials, not only on baby utensils. They can be used to disinfect water, air, gadgets, toys, surfaces, and many more. It’s a common misconception that only mothers should get UV sterilizers. Since we are in a pandemic, it’s much advisable to get one and sterilize the things in our house that get passed around often. Even though UV sterilizers aren’t effective (yet) against viruses, it’s still an effective precautionary as we are still killing germs and bacteria that may cause other illnesses.
The reason why UV sterilizers are a popular pick for moms with babies is that babies love to play and put their hands on everything. Maybe on the floor, on their mouths, or on their toys, it becomes easy for them to carry bacteria from one place to another. Thus, the need for UV sterilizers at home is a necessity for moms. Mothercare’s Hanil UV Multi Sterilizers and Dryer might be an ideal pick up for you if you are in need of a reliable and affordable UV sterilizer for your home.
