Ultraviolet (UV) light is a type of electromagnetic radiation that lies in the light spectrum between visible light and X-rays. This radiation has a shorter wavelength than visible light, making it invisible to the eye. human eye.
Ultraviolet radiation is present in sunlight and can also be produced artificially using UV lamps.
The vast majority of the UV spectrum is harmful to living things and can cause damage to the skin and eyes if overexposed. However, in its shorter waves, it also has benefits, such as the synthesis of vitamin D, the treatment of some skin diseases, etc.
Ultraviolet radiation is produced in nature through nuclear reactions in the sun. The sun emits a variety of types of radiation, including visible, infrared, and ultraviolet light.
When UV light from the sun reaches the Earth’s atmosphere, some of this radiation is absorbed by gases present in the atmosphere, such as ozone. The ozone layer in the stratosphere acts as a shield that blocks much of the harmful UV radiation, allowing only some to reach the Earth’s surface.
UV light can also be produced artificially using UV lamps, which emit UV radiation for applications such as disinfection, photocatalysis, and material curing. These lamps typically use mercury or xenon gas to generate ultraviolet radiation.
Common classification of ultraviolet light
UV-A: This is the longest-wavelength and least energetic form of ultraviolet light, found between 320 and 400 nanometers (nm). It is used in applications such as phototherapy in dermatology and in the sterilization of surfaces and water.
UV-B: is an intermediate form of ultraviolet light, with wavelengths between 280 and 320 nm. It is mainly responsible for sunburn and premature skin aging, but also necessary for the synthesis of vitamin D in the body.
UV-C: is the shortest and most energetic form of UV light, with wavelengths between 100 and 280 nm. It is absorbed by the ozone layer in the atmosphere and is widely used in the disinfection of surfaces, air and water due to its ability to destroy microorganisms.
These are the main types of UV, each with specific applications and effects in different fields of science and technology.
At UVINFRA we manufacture all types of custom ultraviolet equipment, and we supply replacement lamps for all brands on the market.
