How does quartz treatment affect a person?

Anyone who has visited children’s clinics or been in hospital inpatient departments remembers the smell of ozone in the air and knows what “quartzization” of premises is. Medical personnel, using special ultraviolet radiation devices, periodically process the premises in order to destroy harmful bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other pathogens. Exposure to UV rays has a bactericidal effect, causes DNA damage and the death of bacteria. Safety precautions when working with germicidal lamps are of paramount importance. Failure to comply with it can easily cause harm instead of the expected benefit. Due to numerous viral and bacterial threats that have become more frequent recently, the demand for such devices has increased greatly.

Quartz devices for air and surface disinfection

The traditional ultraviolet emitter device in medical institutions is called a “quartz lamp” due to the material used (quartz glass). The use of this germicidal emitter was complicated by the fact that quartz glass transmitted the full spectrum of waves (from 100 to 300 nm), including the 185 nm line responsible for ozone production. In small doses it is useful, but its excess can be harmful to human health. Therefore, in addition to ventilating quartz-treated rooms, rules for using a bactericidal lamp of this type have been developed. Modern bactericidal lamps or irradiators, which have become widespread, use uviol glass instead of quartz, which is capable of filtering the 185 nm spectrum line. The design of the irradiator is simple: a housing with a cylinder tube made of uviol glass, a reflector, and a device for installation on a horizontal surface or mounting on a wall. Thanks to the reflector, the rays disinfect the entire room. Germicidal lamps are:

• Open type. This is the most common type. A direct stream of ultraviolet radiation disinfects the air, vertical and horizontal surfaces.
• Closed type (recyclers) – allow you to quartz the room when people are there.

Rules for operating bactericidal lamp irradiators

One device can provide disinfection treatment for a room with an area of ​​25-30 square meters. m. In larger rooms it is possible to use two or more disinfectants (but not simultaneously). One operating cycle consists of 60 minutes (25 for the actual operation of the device, 35 for airing the room). Medical staff are required to study and strictly follow the rules for using bactericidal lamps. Irradiator lamps are universal. They can be used not only indoors, but also in transport (vehicles, trains, airplane cabins).

Germicidal lamp: safety precautions

Before turning on a quartz lamp (especially the open type), in order to prevent harm to humans or the environment, you need to carefully study the instructions, the rules of operation of the bactericidal lamp, and the safety requirements when working with electrical appliances. During the quartzing process, you should strictly follow the rules for using bactericidal lamps. During the working cycle in the room you cannot:

• Be around strangers. An operator wearing special glasses turns the lamp on and off. It should be taken into account that fresh flowers or pets may be harmed if they are not removed from the room.
• Look at the operating device without special protective glasses. Otherwise, you may get serious eye burns.

After irradiation is completed, the room should be ventilated (at least half an hour). For safety reasons, the germicidal lamp can only be reused after the device has completely cooled down. In case of mechanical damage to the device, you must:

• de-energize it;
• wearing rubber gloves, collect glass fragments in a bag, using a rubber bulb to remove mercury balls from the surface of the floor or table;
• carry out disposal.

Tips for using bactericidal lamps, rules for their operation

Despite the high efficiency of using quartz irradiators, it makes sense to repeat the bactericidal treatment of the premises one or two weeks after quartzization. Regular quartz treatment is also desirable during seasonal peaks of diseases, and even more so if the premises are damp and susceptible to fungus. UV irradiation must necessarily be accompanied by sanitary and hygienic treatment of the premises using disinfectants, antiseptics, and antimicrobial agents.

Quartzization of a room is ultraviolet radiation, under the influence of which harmful microorganisms, viruses and bacteria die. It is extremely necessary to carry out such disinfection, especially during periods of peak acute respiratory viral infections. Why is the presence of people not allowed during quartzing? Today we will talk about the features of ultraviolet disinfection, determine what types of irradiators exist, and also find out why in some cases UV disinfection should be carried out without human presence.

Content

• What is quartzization and how does it happen?
• The effect of ultraviolet radiation on the human body
• How to protect your own health?
• Quartz lamps for home use
• Where to buy a quartz lamp in Ukraine?

What is quartzization and how does it happen?

Quartzization is carried out using a special lamp that generates ultraviolet light. A quartz lamp consists of quartz glass. Its main feature is that, unlike any other irradiators, quartz and bactericidal lamps operate in a special ultraviolet spectrum. The waves emitted by these devices have a length of two hundred to four hundred nanometers. If you look at the diagram, you will notice that their work is on the border of visible and X-ray irradiation, which indicates a fairly high ultraviolet generation coefficient.

Depending on the degree of exposure, there are three main types of ultraviolet radiation:

1. Near. For near-field radiation, the wavelength typically reaches three hundred to four hundred nanometers. Devices with this level of irradiation are effective in controlling insects;
2. Medium. The wavelength is from two hundred eighty to three hundred fifteen nanometers. This type of irradiation is used in the beauty industry (manicure, solarium, etc.);
3. Further. Irradiation with a wave from one hundred to two hundred and eighty nanometers is effectively used in the fight against various microscopic organisms, including viruses, bacteria, fungi or mold spores.

The most effective means of eliminating microorganisms are bactericidal irradiators, the wavelength of which varies from two hundred to two hundred and ninety-five nanometers. This type of ultraviolet radiation has the greatest bactericidal effect.

The effect of ultraviolet radiation on the human body

Why is ultraviolet radiation a threat to humans and in what cases is it deadly to be exposed to such radiation? The direct threat to human life and health mainly lies in the dose of this radiation itself. The sun, as we know, is our most important source of radiation, which helps the human body produce vitamin D. However, even prolonged exposure to the sun can cause damage to health. Under the influence of high doses of ultraviolet radiation, degeneration of epithelial and fibrous tissue, as well as blood vessels, occurs. In the worst case, radiation can cause skin cancer and cataracts.

How to protect your own health?

In order to achieve effective disinfection of premises, but not to get hurt yourself, it is necessary to strictly follow the operating rules prescribed for a specific irradiator. If the instructions say that it is prohibited to be present while the device is operating, then you must leave the room and also remove plants and animals from there. This usually applies to irradiators with open-type lamps. Also, do not forget that after any ultraviolet disinfection it is necessary to ventilate the room well.

To choose the right bactericidal lamp or irradiator, consider factors such as:

• Area of ​​the room being treated;
• Device power;
• Lamp type (open/closed);
• Modification (floor-mounted, wall-mounted, mobile).

Before purchasing an irradiator, think about the area of ​​the room you plan to treat. If you have a small room, it is not necessary to purchase powerful appliances, recirculators and other specialized devices. A small lamp is quite suitable for an apartment. Open-type irradiators, as a rule, require the absence of people during processing. Some closed lamps allow human presence. Regardless of the type of lamp, after ultraviolet disinfection, be sure to ventilate the room.

As for modifying devices – if you have children or pets at home – it is better to buy a wall-mounted irradiator so that a child or animal does not touch the lamp and it is not damaged. If you need to irradiate several rooms, we advise you to buy a mobile irradiator. In some cases, you can also buy a UV floor lamp.

Quartz lamps for home use

There are special quartz lamps that are used to achieve a healing physiotherapeutic effect at home. They are used to irradiate the outer zones of the body with an ultraviolet wavelength of 205-315 nanometers (according to the classification, this is the zone of far and medium ultraviolet). Quartz therapy is usually prescribed by a doctor, with a detailed indication of the course duration and procedure schedule.

Quartz lamps have a wide range of indications for their use. With the help of ultraviolet irradiation, diseases of the musculoskeletal system, diseases of the dermatological area and disorders of the respiratory system are treated. Quartz treatment is effective for overall strengthening of the immune system. Lamps with a more powerful ultraviolet wave are used in the fight against viruses and infections, which is why they are used when disinfecting premises. It should also be noted that among all possible types of disinfection, ultraviolet exposure is the most practical, environmentally friendly and safe (subject to compliance with safety regulations and strict adherence to established dosages).

Features of quartz lamps

Quartz lamps consist of a special quartz bulb, which is made of natural calcium dioxide (SiO2). The advantage of this substance is that it is highly resistant to high temperatures, so when exposed to ultraviolet radiation, as well as sudden cooling, the lamp will not crack or deform in any way. Quartz lamps typically transmit wavelengths larger than two hundred and fifty-seven nanometers, meaning that rays penetrate into the environment and destroy oxygen molecules. This chemical reaction provokes the production of ozone, which is harmful to the human body. When operating such a lamp, it is necessary to leave the disinfection area, and also remove animals and plants from the premises. After the procedure, be sure to ventilate the treated area. However, there are also ozone-free irradiators, during which the presence of humans and other living organisms is not prohibited.

Recently, it is increasingly possible to find universal models of irradiators with curtains. You can use such a device to treat external areas of the body, and by removing the curtains, you can easily disinfect the surrounding area. The lamp usually comes with special safety glasses that protect the cornea from burns. It is strictly necessary to use them every time you turn on the device. Also, most irradiators of such models as, for example, “Solnyshko” come with special tube attachments designed for intracavitary procedures.

Where to buy a quartz lamp in Ukraine?

You can buy a bactericidal irradiator or a quartz lamp in the ORTO SMART chain of stores – Medtekhnika, orthosalon. We specialize in the sale of medical equipment and orthopedic products, and also cooperate with the world’s leading brands. All products provided by our company are certified and have appropriate documentation confirming their excellent quality. Our devices have a long service life and will serve you for as long as possible.

Our stores employ qualified employees who will help you choose a device, as well as answer all your questions and provide competent instruction regarding the rules for using the devices. You can also preview the network’s products on the website of our online store Orthosalon and order an ultraviolet irradiator right now.