The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic has increased the demand for newer and more effective disinfectant technologies, such as a UV sterilizer cabinet for restaurants and other public places. The novel coronavirus is known to stay active on surfaces for several hours to days or even weeks. As such, the sterilization of high contact surfaces in public places, such as counters or tabletops, door handles, elevator buttons, handrails, etc. can be the difference between life and death.
Here’s how sterilization in public places is changing:
What is Commonly Used for Sterilization?
Detergents or soap and water are commonly used for cleaning surfaces in public places. This cleaning method neutralizes viruses and kills bacteria. At the least, washing public spaces with detergent and water reduces the number of viruses and bacteria on surfaces.
The second common sterilization method involves the use of certified hard surface disinfectant solutions or wipes. The solutions and wipes usually contain alcohol, which gives them disinfectant properties. But cleaning public places with this method is painstaking. You must wear gloves and first wipe the surface clean of any visible dirt or spillage. Next, you have to use the alcohol solution to disinfect the surface and discard the gloves and wipes. Finally, you have to wash your hands with soap and water properly.
There is also a growing concern that microorganisms are developing resistance against the most commonly used agents, leading to an interest in newer sterilization technologies. Let’s have a look at the new sterilization methods and technologies.
New Sterilization Technologies
Electrochemically Active Solutions (ECAS)
While ECAS has long been used to treat drinking water, companies are now exploring their use in more day-to-day situations. These chemicals can be made on the spot using simple salts and water without the production of detrimental byproducts. For this reason, ECAS is much easier to transport and store. They can eradicate microbes, such as bacteria and viruses, within seconds – much faster than conventional disinfectants like alcohol or bleach. The most significant benefit of ECAS is that it can be aerosolized and easily sprayed on walls, floors, high contact surfaces, and even food items like vegetables and fruits.
Ultraviolet (UV) Light
UV light can be used to disinfect a wide variety of surfaces. This dry sterilization method kills a broad spectrum of bacteria and neutralizes viruses. Unlike chemical agents, susceptible microorganisms cannot develop resistance against UV light. Since there are no toxic chemicals used, this sterilization method is eco-friendly and safer for human health, provided you don’t come in direct contact with the rays.
There are many affordable devices available in the market that make use of UV light as a disinfectant. For example, a UV sterilizer cabinet is a relatively small cabinet with a tempered glass door that can be placed in any facility to decontaminate a wide variety of plastic, wooden, and metal objects including office supplies, kitchen utensils, and industrial products.
Ultrasound
Ultrasound is a common radiological imaging technique used for medical diagnosis. It makes use of soundwaves above the audible frequency to produce depth mapped images. Interestingly, higher frequency and intensity ultrasounds can also be used for sterilization purposes. These energy waves have bacteriostatic and bactericidal properties, meaning that they can inactivate microorganisms such as viruses. This is a safe and easy way to decontaminate surfaces and food items because it does not use toxic chemicals.
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