Last Updated on December 29, 2023
Ultraviolet light, or UV, is a part of the electromagnetic spectrum along with cosmic rays, gamma rays, x-rays, visible light, infrared and radio waves. It has a wavelength ranging from 100 to 400 nanometers. Thus, it is shorter than visible light but longer than X-Rays, as shown below. Ultraviolet is the part of the spectrum that we focus on for ultraviolet water purification and air and surface disinfection.
Ultraviolet is further classified into 3 wavelength ranges:
- UV-C, from 100 nanometers (nm) to 280 nm (Referred to as Germicidal Light)
- UV-B, from 280 nm to 315 nm (Referred to as Sunlight)
- UV-A, from 315 nm to 400 nm (Referred to as Blacklight)
Germicidal UV-C light deactivates the DNA of bacteria, virus, and other pathogens and thus destroys their ability to multiply and cause disease. Specifically, UV-C light causes damage to the nucleic acid of microorganisms by forming covalent bonds between certain adjacent bases in the DNA. The formation of such bonds prevents the DNA from being unzipped for replication, and the organism is unable to reproduce. In fact, when the organism tries to replicate, it dies.
For more information on Germicidal Ultraviolet lamps, visit Ultraviolet.com.
Need help? Call Our Ultraviolet Light Specialists at 1-631-273-0500, Monday – Friday 7am to 6pm EST
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View the entire infographic below, as taught by our UV Application Specialist:
