Those are all high-end, commercial-grade products -- but interest in cheaper, simpler UVC products that people can bring into their homes is on the rise, too. Be respectful, keep it civil and stay on topic. "Immunization and antiviral medications are also important, but again, have limitations. It's already making its way into homes, businesses and schools across the country. Researchers at Boston University found that Signify's wall-mounted UVC lights killed up to 99% of the virus within seconds; the company is now broadening its portfolio of UVC luminaries for commercial environments. Run a quick search for "UVC" on Amazon or at Walmart and you'll find page upon page of products that promise to sterilize your home. Therefore EPA cannot confirm whether, or under what circumstances, such products might be effective against viruses such as SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. Another wand listed on Walmart features no child lock or auto-shutoff at all, and the listing never warns of any hazard to the eyes or skin -- though it does boast of lights that are twice as intense as a previous model. UVC light is ultraviolet light that falls specifically between 180 and 280 nanometers -- the shortest, most intense part of the ultraviolet light spectrum. But he believes "the use of overhead, low-level far-UVC light in public locations would be a safe and efficient method for limiting the transmission and spread of airborne-mediated microbial diseases, such as influenza and tuberculosis.". "And unlike flu vaccines, far-UVC is likely to be effective against all airborne microbes, even newly emerging strains," he said. "UVC lamps used for disinfection purposes may pose potential health and safety risks depending on the UVC wavelength, dose, and duration of radiation exposure," the guidance reads. Here's what you need to know -- the science, the safety risks and everything experts say you should take into consideration before bringing any UVC-powered light source into your home. All rights reserved. Do echinacea and vitamin C really help a cold? In the meantime, research continues into the potential efficacy of UVC light against the virus that causes COVID-19. The listing makes no mention of the potential hazard UV light poses to eyes and skin. UL is unwilling to certify wands like those due to the high risk in an uncontrolled home setting. But experts urge caution for anyone tempted to bring the tech into their home. How Long Does Coronavirus Live On Surfaces? "They're not toys. EPA certification only signifies that the company making the device has registered with the EPA, and is listed in its database of companies who make products that include an active pesticide. It could offer a new, inexpensive way to eliminate airborne flu viruses in indoor public spaces such as hospitals, doctors' offices, schools, airports and aircraft, said the team from Columbia University Medical Center in New York City. One way we do this is by requiring our suppliers to comply with all rules and regulations applicable to the products they sell, whether those items are sold in stores, online, or on our third-party marketplace. It appears that low-dose far-UV light is safe and effective, and has the advantage of inactivating a wide range of disease-causing viruses.". UVC light has a long history as a proven disinfectant at places like hospitals and laboratories, and businesses including airlines, hotels and retail spaces have been relying on the invisible light more than ever in 2020. Two flu experts were encouraged by the findings. The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. "The risk may increase if the unit is not installed properly or used by untrained individuals. UL's reference guide for UVC devices notes the "serious risks" associated with UVC exposure. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Some companies that sell UVC products, like Signify and Big Ass Fans, are putting those products to the test at third-party research labs to verify effectiveness against SARS-CoV-2. MONDAY, Feb. 12, 2018 (HealthDay News) -- As a particularly nasty flu season rages across the United States, scientists have found a powerful new disinfectant that makes "light" work of the virus. They're not instantaneous. "An EPA establishment number on a pesticide device label identifies the EPA-registered location where the product was produced," an EPA spokesperson tells CNET. Lamps with this type of UV light currently cost less than $1,000, Brenner said, but that price would likely fall if the lamps were mass-produced. Straka and other safety science experts at UL recently teamed with the National Electrical Manufacturers Association and the American Lighting Association to address these concerns in a two-page position paper (PDF) outlining the potential risks of using uncertified UVC devices. "Under the pandemic, we've seen a great increase in the interest around UV germicidal-type devices, including those that are now more consumer-facing," says Todd Straka, global industry director of lighting at Underwriters Laboratories, where UVC products are tested for safety certification. Discussion threads can be closed at any time at our discretion. If Walmart learns that a supplier is providing non-compliant items, those items are promptly removed from sale. This UVC wand is sold by Walmart for $20. ... † PhoneSoap 3 has been laboratory tested against common household bacteria. ", Many of the products currently being sold seem to downplay that risk, or ignore it altogether. "What we would suggest is definitely looking at products that do have a safety certification from a nationally recognized testing laboratory, such as UL," Straka adds. Here in Kentucky, Big Ass Fans recently released a UVC ceiling fan designed to disinfect air as it circulates throughout the room. A Walmart spokesperson provided the following statement after we first published this story: "Walmart is committed to providing safe and compliant products to our customers. The findings were published online Feb. 9 in the journal Scientific Reports. "Nevertheless, in the midst of COVID-19, we are concerned about proliferation of UVC disinfecting devices being sold with uncertain safety features and incomplete operating instructions.". "UL has made a conscious decision not to certify the consumer-facing, portable, handheld wand-type devices due to the inability to manage the risks," Straka tells CNET. Unlike less intense UVA and UVB light, which will burn your skin if you sit out in the sun too long, UVC light can burn skin within seconds. Ultraviolet light is invisible electromagnetic radiation that falls between 180 and 400 nanometers in wavelength. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. However, "because viruses and bacteria are much smaller than human cells, far-UVC light can reach their DNA and kill them," he said in a university news release. Similar tests for the Haiku UVC ceiling fan from Big Ass Fans produced encouraging results, with independent researchers finding that the fan was able to reduce the presence of SARS-CoV-2 released into a test chamber by 99.99% within 20 minutes. Sign Up to Receive Our Free Coroanvirus Newsletter, Personalized Treatments for Your Cold Symptoms. Now, interest in UVC light is surging. "The damage that's being done is also not instantaneous," Gwynn adds. We delete comments that violate our policy, which we encourage you to read. Being listed in that database does not certify that the company's product is safe or effective for use in the home. However, Brenner and his colleagues wondered if a much narrower spectrum of ultraviolet light, far-UVC, might be a safer option.