Should schools use UV LED lights?

The covid-19 pandemic has altered the way the world functions. It encouraged new-age ideas like work from home and online classes that proved of pivotal importance in ensuring the safety of the teachers as well as of the students. However, online classes are leveraged with multiple disadvantages that hinder the overall growth of the child.

Online learning limits human interaction and may create a sense of isolation. Students may fall back in learning essential life lessons about teamwork, partnership, and cooperation. Thus, many schools are gradually opening doors for students again, keeping in mind all the precautionary measures for ensuring their safety and wellness. One such measure is the use of UV-C LED lights.

How do UV lights work? Is it safe for installation in schools?

Germicidal lights such as UV-C lights use the power of ultraviolet light to eliminate harmful pathogens, bacteria, viruses, and other microbes from the air as well as from the surfaces in a defined space. It damages the RNA and DNA of pathogens and disinfects the space quickly. It breaks down the chemical bonds in harmful microorganisms and disrupts their DNA replication process to ensure a safe and sound environment.

UV-C lights are completely safe for school installations when used with all precautionary measures. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that schools should consider using ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) as a supplement to inactivate coronavirus, especially in places that lack proper ventilation.

Benefits of UV light in schools 

Ultraviolet light surpasses all other disinfection technologies on various fronts and can potentially be regarded as one of the best safety solutions against the deadly coronavirus.

Here are some benefits of installing UV lights in schools:

Highly effective against coronavirus

First and foremost, UV-C lights are effective against the novel strains of coronavirus. For instance, various studies now confirm that UV-C lights can effectively kill SARS-CoV-2 or other coronavirus in liquids, from surfaces, as well as from the air.

Effective against antibiotic-resistant bacteria

Using the same disinfectants or cleansers to clean the surfaces may result in the development of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. These bacteria can make students prone to a variety of infections and diseases. Fortunately, UV-C lights are effective against such resistant microbes as they attack the DNA and RNA of pathogens to eliminate them.

Non-toxic disinfectant

Cleansers and disinfectants may contain many harmful and toxic chemicals that may put student’s health at risk.  For instance, many cleansers contain ethyl alcohol or ethanol - a highly flammable chemical that can result in drying, cracking, or peeling of the skin. It may also lead to headaches, drowsiness, nausea, or vomiting in students. On the other hand, UV-C light is a non-toxic disinfectant that sanitizes space with the power of light.

While precautionary measures like social distancing and wearing masks go a long way in ensuring the health and wellness of students, school authorities are required to decide on a comprehensive solution that sanitizes the space quickly and effectively. Fortunately, this safety goal can be achieved easily with the use of UV light-based indoor lighting solutions.