UV water purifiers like the UV sterilizer help ensure the baby’s food is as healthy and hygienic as possible. UV light destroys harmful microorganisms that can lead to diarrhea, vomiting, and pneumonia, all of which are more likely to occur in children than adults. UV sterilizer also has a positive effect on babies suffering from gastrointestinal problems like colic and gassiness.
How Do UV Water Sterilization and Purification Work?
- UV sterilizers work via irradiation with UV light, which causes damage to the DNA of microorganisms. Only bacteria, viruses, and parasites are susceptible to UV irradiation because their DNA is located outside their cells in special protein envelopes called nucleoprotein capsids. In contrast, most mammalian cells have their DNA inside, so UV does not affect us. UV sterilizers do not work on non-living materials like plastic, so they are safe to use with feeding bottles and teats.
- UV sterilization has been used successfully in developing countries to treat drinking water. UV illumination is commonly used on large-scale water purification plants due to its effectiveness and low power consumption at small-scale applications. Solar panels or batteries can often power the UV light. UV is very convenient in these applications because UV products are so small and can be used in remote locations where access to conventional water treatment systems would be difficult.
- UV sterilizers use UV-C light, which has a wavelength of between 200 nm – 280 nm. UV-C lights are the most germicidal type of UV illumination, although there is also evidence that UV-A (300nm – 400nm) may effectively deactivate pathogens. UV sterilization will not remove chemical contaminants from water, so the source water must be free from poisonous chemicals. A UV sterilizer requires regular maintenance to ensure its efficiency, for example, replacing UV bulbs periodically.
- The most common type of UV sterilizer is a small plastic tube filled with UV-C producing mercury vapor, similar to the ones found in older aquarium air pumps. These tubes are sometimes mounted on faucets between uses. Once turned on, they emit a distinctive blue glow and require about 10 minutes before water is safe to use.
Some UV systems sit outside the house and connect directly into plumbing leading into the home or attach directly to the incoming water supply. UV sterilizers can also be built into many types of cleaners such as countertop filters, under sink units, and ice makers. UV sterilization has been used in some air purifiers to kill germs and bacteria that may come through the ventilation system.
Advantage Of UV Sterilization And Purification
Do you want to know some core benefits of UV sterilization and Purification? We have presented some advantages of the same below that you shouldn’t miss.
- UV filtration’s advantage over other methods is that it leaves normal healthy minerals intact (e.g., calcium, magnesium, etc.), which are important for maintaining our health and nutrition.
- UV systems are also used to control bio-remediation by UV irradiating wastewater treatment lagoons, and UV disinfects air being exhausted from operating rooms, intensive care units, etc. UV Water Sterilization and Purification Tall zones with a high concentration of infectious agents (Weber et al., 2003).
- UV can be combined with heat sterilization or pasteurization. UV lamps have been proven not only to kill bacteria but they have also been shown to eradicate yeast and mold spores as well as viruses.
- Unlike chemical water purification, especially those which are chlorine-based, UV purification doesn’t involve harmful chemicals. So you are not exposed to vulnerabilities.
- In UV sterilization and purification, there is a lower investment in equipment. In comparison to chemical treatment which requires a significant amount of money, it is less expensive.
- One of the most important benefits of UV filtration is that the procedure does not change the odor or color or taste of water.
- There are non-contact tanks involved, like chlorine purification. The UV-based process is purely a virtually immediate disinfection method.
- The best thing about UV sterilization and purification is that this method is absolutely eco-friendly. There is no pollution, no environmental emission, less power consumption, no by-products or disinfection.
Conclusion
That’s all about UV sterilization and purification. If you were wondering about the details of the entire method, I hope you have got sound clarity by now. Undoubtedly it is a better water purification process than chlorine filtration. What do you think about the article? Let us know in the comment area below. We are waiting eagerly to hear you out.
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