Last Updated on May 22, 2020
Germicidal ultraviolet light emitted from UV-C lamps inactivates many bacteria, mold, and virus that may be present in the air, on surfaces, and in water. Our products use STER-L-RAY® Germicidal UV-C Lamps 
producing ultraviolet wavelengths at 254 nanometers, the region of germicidal effectiveness most destructive to harmful microorganisms including Corynebacterium diphtheriae, also known as C. diphtheriae.
C. diphtheriae Classification & UV Dose for Inactivation
| Organism: | Alternate Name: | Type: | Disease: | UV Dose*: |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corynebacterium diphtheriae | C. diphtheriae | Bacteria | Diphtheria | 6.50 mJ/cm2 |
C. diphtheriae can produce a toxin causing the disease diphtheria. It can get into and attach to the lining of the respiratory system. When that happens, it may cause weakness, sore throat, fever, or swollen glands in the neck. Within two to three days, it can produce a thick, gray coating that inhibits breathing or swallowing. On limbs, C. diphtheriae can produce lesions covered by a gray-brown membrane. The poison can also cause paralysis and congestive heart failure if distributed through the bloodstream.
Diphtheria spreads from person to person, usually through respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing. People can also get diphtheria by coming in contact with an object or surface that has C. diphtheriae on it and then touching their eyes, nose, or mouth. Rarely, someone can get the disease from either touching open sores, or touching the clothes of someone having open sores from diphtheria.
Who can it affect?
People
Where can it be found?
Contaminated Droplets
Contaminated Surfaces
What can it infect?
Skin
Nose & Throat
How can it be contracted?
Inhaling Contaminated Droplets
Touching Contaminated Surfaces
* Nominal Ultraviolet dosage necessary to inactivate better than 99% of microorganisms. See sources below.
- “The Use of Ultraviolet Light for Microbial Control,” Ultrapure Water, April 1989.
- Dr. Robert W. Legan, “Alternative Disinfection Methods-A Comparison of UV and Ozone,” Industrial Water Engineering, Mar/Apr 1982.
- Myron Lupal, “UV Offers Reliable Disinfection,” Water Conditioning & Purification, November 1993.
- John Treij, “Ultraviolet Technology,” Water Conditioning & Purification, December 1995.
- Bak Srikanth, “The Basic Benefits of Ultraviolet Technology,” Water Conditioning & Purification, December 1995.
Learn More & Shop Our Products to Inactivate C. diphtheriae
Made in the USA from U.S. and imported parts, the Air & Surface Disinfection product lines from Atlantic Ultraviolet Corporation® are constructed of the highest quality materials and use germicidal UV-C lamps to disinfect air and surfaces, inactivating microorganisms like C. diphtheriae.
Learn Here! Ultraviolet.com
- Download Ultraviolet Air & Surface Documents from our PDF Library
- View all our Blog Posts for Air & Surface Disinfection
- View all the applications that can benefit from Germicidal UV-C
- Learn about STER-L-RAY® Germicidal Ultraviolet Lamps
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- Shop UV Air & Surface Disinfection
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- Call 1-631-273-0500, Monday – Friday 7am to 6pm EST
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CM-000388
View Our Infographic on C. diphtheriae
