Mint - (17th July 2020)
Fear of infections from contaminated surfaces has spawned a clutch of ultraviolet devices designed to kill pathogens, as companies try to keep pace with customer concerns stemming from the coronavirus pandemic. These devices use Ultraviolet C (UVC) radiation in a closed space to disinfect items such as newspapers and delivery packages, which many people fear carry spreading viruses and bacteria.
According to companies involved in selling such products, customers can range from regular users to food delivery platforms and e-commerce firms.
Bengaluru-based Minion Labs and its UV Saaph, a portable disinfection box.
There are studies indicating that UV light can be used for sterilizing surfaces. Rajesh Maheshwari, chief executive officer, National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies (NABCB) said that theoretically, these products work by using ultraviolet lights to kill microbes like viruses and bacteria He also said that he doesn’t think they pose a threat to humans as they are concentrated on a particular surface. It is not like a person is sitting and you have UV light continuously exposed to the entire room.
NABCB is the accreditation body for third-party agencies responsible for quality certification of certain low-risk medical devices. The quality of high-risk devices is directly looked at by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation. The ICMR has designated two institutes under the CSIR and three under the Department of Science and Technology (DST) to certify UV-based products. However, there seems to be no regulation for UV-based surface disinfectants. “UV light products do not come under medical device regulations. This product is like surface disinfectants and hand sanitizers. Just because you expose a surface to the UV light does not mean it will kill all viruses and bacteria. Medical disinfectants are considered drugs but not surface disinfectants," a senior official at Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation said.
For more information on this press article, visit https://www.livemint.com/technology/gadgets/demand-for-uv-based-disinfectants-on-the-rise/amp-11594946147723.html
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