Is a quartz lamp harmful to humans?
Invented in 1906 by Koh and Reshchinsky, the quartz lamp was a breakthrough in the field of prevention of nosocomial infection. The device itself got its name due to the quartz from which the outer bulb of the lamp is made. It is this material that transmits the ultraviolet spectrum of light, which is detrimental to most pathogenic microorganisms. However, not everything is so simple, and the topic requires additional study before applying this method of disinfection.
Useful properties of the lamp
Since the discovery by William Herschel in 1800 of low-frequency light radiation, its action and potential have not been fully disclosed to this day. Modern use of ultraviolet lamps has found in such areas as:
- medicine - prevention of nosocomial infections, sterilization of medical instruments and packages, sanitation of purulent foci on the skin, prevention of rickets in children;
- cosmetology - in solariums for getting a tan;
- food industry and water supply - disinfection of cereals and food packaging, water disinfection;
- high technologies - in the production of photocomposite materials.
We advise you to watch the release of the health program: Quartzization - kills viruses or people
In medicine, the inactivating property of ultraviolet radiation is widely used. Most known viruses, bacteria, protozoa, fungi and their spores die under the action of the 205-315 nm wavelength range. This occurs due to the destruction of the chain of DNA, RNA and cell membranes of microorganisms under the influence of long-term UV radiation. This method of disinfection has an advantage over chemical and thermal disinfection, because:
- does not lead to chemical changes in the composition of the medium;
- does not affect the appearance and condition of items;
- does not change the taste and smell of water, food products;
- relatively safe;
- does not require special conditions, additional reagents, specific qualifications when servicing the unit.
In addition, the effect of UV radiation on the body is similar to the effect of the sun in the sense that ultraviolet radiation promotes the production of melatonin and vitamin D.
Feature of the quartzization procedure
Most of all, medical institutions need the disinfecting effect of low-wavelength light, especially operating blocks, delivery rooms, virological and bacteriological laboratories, where sterility is the first and indispensable condition.
For reference: more than 70% of cases of exogenous Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection occur in general wards and intensive care units. The phenomenon is characterized as nosocomial infection.
Based on the modern guidelines of the Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation dated February 28, 1995 N 11-16 / 03-06, ozone-free installations with a wavelength of 265 nm should be used for quartzing. It is this length that has the widest possible range of bactericidal action, while not leading to the release of ozone harmful to humans.
Low-pressure ozone-free lamps are commonly called bactericidal. Installations come in various types and modifications, but for the most part they are a long emitter tube with a reflector and a starting device built into the housing. Bactericidal lamps are installed in such a way that the rays cover the maximum area of \u200b\u200bthe room.
It will be useful to know: Differences between quartz and ultraviolet lamp.
The procedure for quartzing the chamber is carried out in the absence of people in the following order:
- The health worker puts on a protective mask and goggles.
- Turns on the quartz lamp and leaves the room, closing all the doors behind him.
- After 1–2 hours, a medical worker in goggles and a mask turns off the device and, in the case of outdated samples that lead to the release of ozone, opens windows to ventilate the room for 10–15 minutes.
- After the lamp has cooled down, the health worker removes protective equipment and only after that the rest of the staff and patients are allowed into the room.
According to a similar scheme, disinfection is carried out with quartz emitters in children's, utility and industrial premises. There are closed-type installations used for air sanitation in filtration systems, as well as with a reflected bactericidal flow directed to the upper hemisphere so that direct rays do not fall at the level of human growth. Such lamps can work both in the absence and in the presence of people.
Safety measures are associated with the risk of exposure to an aggressive spectrum of UV radiation on a person, as a result of which there is a risk of burns of the conjunctiva and the iris of the eyes, and with prolonged exposure to UV devices, burns and the development of malignant skin diseases.
Harm and contraindications of a quartz lamp
Contraindications for quartzization there are no premises in the absence of people. With regard to the general or local effects of ultraviolet radiation on a person, there are a number of contraindications:
- systemic connective tissue lesions;
- the presence of moles and birthmarks on the skin;
- any stage of malignant formations;
- post-infarction conditions;
- acute circulatory disorders in the brain;
- feverish conditions;
- cachexia;
- hyperthyroidism;
- photodermatosis and hypersensitivity of the skin to ultraviolet;
- active forms of pulmonary tuberculosis, hepatitis, pancreatitis, peptic ulcer of the stomach and duodenum;
- advanced atherosclerosis of vessels, exacerbation of arterial hypertension and cardiovascular insufficiency;
- blood clotting disorders;
- renal and hepatic failure in the acute phase.
Even in the absence of contraindications, prolonged quartz treatment is harmful to a person in a room with the unit turned on, as it leads to a thinning of the lipid membrane of the epidermis, which performs a barrier function, and in some cases, burns. In addition, there is a destruction of normal microflora on the surface of the skin and a violation of immune mechanisms. However, these phenomena occur when uncontrolled use of germicidal lamps with safety violations.
What to do in case of a burn
The organs most sensitive to UV radiation are the eyes and skin.
The severity of the flow depends on the individual photosensitivity of the body, but in most cases, to get a burn of the cornea, conjunctiva and iris, it is enough to look at a quartz lamp located at a distance of two to three meters for a few seconds to several minutes. Symptoms appear after 3-4 hours and resemble conjunctivitis. In severe cases, vesicles appear on the conjunctiva with the impossibility of opening the eyelids.
First aid is provided in the following order:
- Eliminate the radiation source.
- Place the patient in a darkened room.
- Cold on the eyes through the gauze layer.
- Call a doctor.
Treatment occurs under medical supervision with the use of drops containing non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and glucocorticosteroids.
A skin burn is similar to a sunburn, it is treated with anti-burn creams and ointments.
Read more in this article: Eye burns from ultraviolet light.
How to protect yourself from radiation
A quartz lamp is dangerous only if the safety rules are neglected. To protect the skin from the harmful effects of UV rays, it is enough to wear clothing that covers the entire surface of the body. Special goggles are put on the eyes with a photo filter that cuts off the dangerous UV range.
Attention! Ordinary tinted glasses do not protect against harmful wavelengths of light, but they cause the pupil to dilate, exacerbating the severity of the lesion.
Employees of organizations and enterprises who inevitably have to fall under the rays of bactericidal lamps are advised to protect exposed skin with sunscreens with an SPF of 60 units or more.
Quartzing at home is only useful if it is necessary to carry out sanitation after a visit to the house by a potential source of infection. To prevent the spread of the disease in the presence of an already infected family member, quartzing is ineffective.
