Best UV Light Sanitizer – uvFreshr by Altan Robotech

The Best UV Light Sterilizer Emits the Most Effective UV Wavelength

Today, ultraviolet light has been widely used in public places like hospitals, schools, offices, restaurants, hotels, etc. And more and more homes are switching to environmentally friendlier UV sanitizers because they are more effective than those chemical-based cleaning agents.

However, in recent times, people prefer UV light devices mainly because they are hands-free to operate. Busy city folks simply hate any labor form of sterilizing work, which is the case with those chemical disinfectants.

The cleaner and more convenient way to eradicate disease-causing germs and viruses of ultraviolet light has been a natural choice for many. This observation is evident by the rapidly growing sales of UV devices worldwide, even before the covid-19 pandemic.

There is no better time to acquire such a game-changer item by leveraging the economy of scale caused by the pandemic. And that also means when you are out looking for a UV light device, you will be lost in a jungle of UV devices.

When every brand claims to be the most effective and safe for home use, how do you know which is the best UV light sanitizer to buy? And why Altan Robotech’s uvFreshr range of UV-C light germ killers is truly an effective UV sterilizer for your family? Let’s find out.

Do UV Sanitizers Work?

The answer is either a resounding yes or not up to your expectation. That will depend on the type of UV device you have acquired and your understanding of how UV radiation works.

Many consumer UV light sterilizers may not use the right UV type for optimum results, either home or personal use. The only proven UV type to destroy microorganisms completely is UV-C.

So, it would be best to make sure the device you are buying uses UV-C light at the minimum.

A good example of using UV-C light for sterilization can be seen in the high-end TOTO Neorest toilets. Just the Actilight UV feature alone costs a whopping $5000 to $6000. But don’t be turned off by the enormous cost; you are nowhere near those amounts with the uvFreshr sanitizer.

However, you can emulate the Neorest feature on your existing toilet at a fraction with a simple adaptation to your toilet seat lid using the uvFreshr sanitizer. You will find out how soon.

According to The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, UV-C light destroys the coronavirus that causes COVID-19. But the FDA has been cautious, only implying the effectiveness of UV light sanitizers on the Covid-19 virus. TOC

UVC radiation may also be effective in inactivating the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which is the virus that causes the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). – FDA

What is UV-C & How to Differentiate from the Other UV Types?

Though there are three types of UV light, the UV-C is the most effective in inactivating viruses and is found on many commercial products today. Even UV-A and UV-B have also become popular for their ability to kill germs without damaging human skin or eyes. However, data on their long-term safety is still lacking, and they are seen as weaker and less effective than UV-C.

And the only way to differentiate the three different UV types is their respective wavelength.

But of course, you can’t measure or verify the UV wavelength accurately without using a sophisticated scientific instrument such as a spectrometer and the knowledge to set it up. Let’s leave that to the experts. Meanwhile, you can use a UVC Dosimeter to verify UV-C radiation on a surface or object. It is a card coated with photo-chromatic ink that changes color when exposed to UV-C light.

If you are looking for the best UV light sanitizer for your home or personal use, you can’t go wrong with a UV-C sterilizer. They can kill close to 100% of bacteria & viruses, and the good ones will have fail-safe protection for harmful exposure to UV light.

Altan Robotech, the company that manufactures and markets the uvFreshr, offers one of the best UV light sanitizers. Depending on your needs, the company provides three options for your selection. And they are the uvFreshr MINI, uvFreshr GERM, and the uvFreshr POD. Let’s find out what makes them so effective, and most of all, how wallet-friendly they are. TOC

The Deadly Wavelength Every Bacterium Fears

It has been proven that at 253.7 nanometers (nm) wavelength (or 254nm) in the UV-C light spectrum is the most effective inactivation of disease-causing bacteria. That includes the highly contagious Covid-19 virus that is wreaking havoc globally.

When you place an object within the effective UV light range of a uvFreshr device, it can neutralize almost 100% of bacteria within minutes. They are “neutralized” instead of just killed is because when something dies, its DNA structure changes from being alive to dead. So even though the bacteria or virus may not show any signs of death, the cell itself can no longer reproduce anymore.

And all uvFreshr devices emit 253.7 nm UV-C light that kills 99.99999% of bacteria & viruses up to a certain distance at recommended exposure time. So it depends on your application, and choosing the right uvFreshr model is effortlessly easy. You may end up getting all 3 of them to best protect the family from harmful bacteria and viruses. TOC

Germicidal UV Light versus Chemical Disinfectant

One frequently asked question is what works better between using a disinfecting agent and UV light. Both seem capable of eliminating bacteria and viruses, but there are obvious differences. And if you choose the wrong path, you may stand to lose money and time in the long run.

Disinfectants work by killing organisms physically rather than chemically. These chemicals break apart the outer membrane of microbes, allowing other substances to enter the body and destroy the internal components.

In contrast, germicidal UV light works by destroying the nucleic acid of microorganisms which prevents reproduction. It does this by breaking down the genetic material inside the cells. The process takes about 10 minutes but once complete, the organism cannot grow and develop further.

You can say it’s a case of disinfection versus sterilization.

However, the stark difference between disinfection and sterilization is that while disinfecting agents do not harm humans, they cannot completely eliminate pathogens. Some studies suggest that there might be more resistant strains of bacteria following treatment with these types of agents.

On the contrary, UV germicides have been shown to reduce bacterial density repeatedly because no microbial cells can develop resistance against UV-C light. Unless fresh untreated microbes are introduced back to the same spot, the existing batch will diminish as it dies off gradually. TOC

What Makes uvFreshr the Best UV Light Sanitizer?

Independent 3rd Party Lab Tested For Peace of Mind

There are many consumer UV light devices claimed to have the capability to ‘kill’ the coronavirus. That’s a legitimate claim to be fair. But in reality, how efficient can they be? The questions you ought to be asking are, what types of UV light are they producing, and at what wavelength?

Unless they specifically state as UV-C light at 254nm (or 253.7nm), like what uvFreshr did, you should cast doubt about the product. Maybe it is UV-A or UV-B light, or the wavelength isn’t 254nm, even if it is UV-C. They can still destroy the coronavirus but not at 99.99% or takes longer than expected. And some companies don’t even bother to conduct a full test of their products, let alone send them to an independent 3rd party test lab.

Whatever. You are trying your luck by assuming the product will deploy its full sanitization capability as promised without any meaningful product data provided. You can’t see the UV rays neutralizing the viruses anyway. So, maybe they work, or they simply don’t. That’s one gamble you have no idea if you win or lose.

But why take risks when a company guarantees its product with data proven unambiguously to work 99.99% of the time. And they are not shy to show the test report for all three uvFreshr models from the University of Guelph to back up their claims. TOC

Portability & Convenience

The covid-19 pandemic has had a tremendous impact on our daily lives. Keeping a sanitizer handy wherever we are is a new normal many have learned to adapt. Therefore, for a UV device to be portable is highly desirable.

No bigger than a smartphone, the uvFreshr MINI is good for small enclosed spaces, like locker, toy bin, shoe rack or cabinet, drawer, etc. Or, on a family vacation or picnic, consider the uvFreshr POD, a UV box, or tote. You can use it to sterilize personal items like a makeup brush, sunglasses, cell phone, baby bottles, and whatever the tote can contain.

Even the uvFreshr GERM, which looks similar to the MINI but bigger, can easily fit into a handbag, backpack, or any hand-carry luggage. And of course, the uvFreshr GERM is meant for sanitizing bigger areas. Perfect for business travel when you are wary of the hotel’s hygiene standard.

Except for the uvFreshr GERM, the uvFreshr MINI and POD use USB rechargeable batteries. So you can use a battery pack, car charger, or any USB port to recharge the unit. There’s no extra power adapter to carry with the MINI and POD.

And just how safe are these uvFreshr UV-sanitizing devices? TOC

Health Safety Concerns

Most UV light sterilizers are rated UV-C/254nm, which means the UV light radiated is UV-C with a 254nm wavelength. But you never know; some may not be operating at 254nm. The issue is with a wavelength shorter than 240nm; it can possibly produce Ozone gas due to the photolysis of oxygen molecules.

Certainly not safe to use if that’s the case. The tell-tale sign is when you start to experience chest pain, coughing, shortness of breath, and throat irritation. These symptoms can occur even in little doses. The more severe health consequences are, Ozone can aggravate chronic respiratory disorders like asthma and weaken the immune system’s ability to fight infections.

The health hazard is why it is important to ensure that the UV product in question is not operating below 240nm. And don’t think by switching the device off, it is safe to enter the room. The harmful gas can still be present for around 2 hours after the UV light has been turned off.

With the uvFreshr MINI, uvFreshr GERM, and uvFreshr POD, you don’t have to worry about Ozone gas because they operate at 254nm or 253.7nm, to be precise. At that wavelength, not only no Ozone gas can be produced, it destroys it. So, you can safely enjoy the extra layer of protection the UV lamps provide.

Still, UV radiation can hurt the eyes and skin if you are not careful. And the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has determined that all three types of UV radiation can cause cancer (carcinogenic).

But don’t get paranoid because of what IARC says. The probability of you getting skin damage or skin cancers from a UV sanitizer is pretty remote. Unless you expose your skin to UV radiation routinely for a long period, then you are definitely at high risk. The brief occasional exposure is no harm done.

Even though it is harmless from random exposures, avoid as much as you can; particularly, the eyes. Leave the room or space immediately once you switch on the uvFreshr and return only when the device has turned off (by itself). Treat this as a good practice when handling all UV light devices.

And you are well protected with the uvFreshr sanitizers, which have motion sensors that will automatically switch off the device once it detects your presence. That greatly reduces all risks of exposure, random or otherwise. TOC

All 3 Altan Robotech’s uvFreshr Models

1. uvFreshr MINI

uvFreshr MINI is also available on:   Walmart ● Home Depot ● Amazon

Make sure to carry this little uvFreshr Mini wherever you go to protect yourself. You can discreetly turn the office drawer or locker into a sanitizing compartment. Or use it to do a quick scan of the toilet seat in a public restroom. And don’t be shy to shine on the cutleries in a restaurant or cafeteria; people can understand in this coronavirus pandemic.

At home, you can use the provided 3M velcro tape to secure the Mini on the underside of the toilet lid to sanitize the bowl. It will get rid of odor caused by bacteria that proliferate on the toilet bowl surface. And it will also prevent biofilm formation, which is the disgusting brown ring around the bowl outlet.

These are some suggestions for the use of the uvFreshr MINI. Because of its small size, you can use it on those hard-to-reach or hidden areas in the house. And if you have a bigger space to cleanse, the uvFreshr GERM has you covered.

2. uvFreshr GERM

uvFreshr GERM is also available on:   Amazon ● Home Depot

In hotel rooms, you can never be too sure what’s on the table, mirror, toilet vanity top, nightstand, etc. The previous occupant may be sick and have sneezed or coughed freely in the room. And hotel housekeepers are the busiest, constantly on a tight schedule to clean so many rooms, they may miss a spot or two. Plus, not forgetting, there are the lazy ones.

So, having a good UV sanitizer that can cleanse a large area is a godsend. The uvFreshr GERM will be the perfect sanitizer that can cover an area of up to 6 feet in diameter. And, it can also get rid of bad odor in the room.

At home, the uvFreshr GERM will be a handy device to keep all household items and utility areas sanitized. Especially in the bathroom, where moisture can trap in some corners, it will help reduce or prevent mold and mildew growth. And don’t forget the kitchen countertop where food is being prepared and the hideous sink cabinet.

With the uvFreshr GERM, you are only limited by your imagination to keep the surroundings germ-free. But for personal effects like combs, toothbrushes, jewelry, phones, watches, etc., a better sanitizing device is the uvFreshr POD. It will save you time and be six times more efficient than the uvFreshr MINI and GERM.

Watch how the uvFreshr GERM works and its features in the video below.

3. uvFreshr POD

uvFreshr POD is also available on:   Walmart ● Amazon

As you have learned from the uvFreshr MINI and GERM, the applications are mainly on bigger or immovable objects and one-sided. Of course, you can always place small items where the UV light shines on. But when dealing with smaller personal items, productivity becomes the most important factor.

You wouldn’t want to flip, turn, or rotate your phone or makeup brush in front of the MINI or GERM, even if you can override the safety motion sensor. And you have got only two hands. That’s utterly unsafe and unproductive. The right device to deal with small personal items is the uvFreshr POD.

There are mirrors on all five walls inside the POD, and the UV lamp is on the lid. So the object will have full exposure on all sides without the need to flip or reposition. This feature is why the uvFreshr POD is six times more productive, and you are never exposed to UV radiation. You also can have more than two items sterilized at one go.

The best is that you can use the lid like a UV wand and are still protected from the UV rays. When you flip the lid over, the light switches off immediately to protect your eyes. Another advantage is when you also need to bring along the uvFreshr MINI or GERM, you can keep it inside the uvFreshr POD and save space on your main luggage.

And who says UV light sterilizers are only good for inorganic stuff. How about using the POD for “cooking” some food (or fruits)?

Watch how the uvFreshr POD works and its features in the video below.

In Conclusion – The Disadvantage of UV-Sanitizing Devices

As we know it, light cannot bend, curve, fuse, or wrap around any object. And that means, for UV light to have any effect, microorganisms have to be exposed directly to the rays. So it works best on nonporous surfaces versus those full of crevices where some of the undesirables can hide away from the UV rays.

However, the UV-A with the longest wavelength can penetrate through most fabrics and even skin. But since UV-C has a short wavelength, the most destructive, it is the least penetrative. So if you need to deal with porous objects or rough surfaces, try placing mirrors around the object for maximum exposure. Otherwise, you can rotate the surfaces in turns to face the light or vice versa.

Or, try electrolyzed water which is another effective way to sterilize any porous object, provided it won’t be damaged by water, whatever that is. Works best with clothing as electrolyzed water is gentle on linens but with more sterilizing power than bleach. TOC