Is a quartz lamp harmful to humans
Invented in 1906, Köch and Reschinsky quartz lamp was a breakthrough in the prevention of nosocomial infections. The device was named for the quartz from which the outer bulb of the lamp was made. It is this material that transmits the ultraviolet spectrum of light, which is destructive to most pathogenic microorganisms. However, not everything is so unambiguous, and the topic requires further study before using this method of disinfection.
Useful properties of the lamp
Since the discovery of low-frequency light radiation by William Herschel in 1800, its action and potential have not been fully disclosed to this day. Modern applications of ultraviolet lamps have found such applications 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 tanning;
- Food industry and water supply - disinfection of crops and food packaging, water disinfection;
- high technology - in the production of photocomposite materials.
Watch this issue of Health: Quartz treatment - kills viruses or people
The inactivating property of ultraviolet light is widely used in medicine. The 205-315 nm wavelength range kills most known viruses, bacteria, protozoa, fungi and their spores. This happens due to the destruction of DNA, RNA and cell membranes of microorganisms under the influence of prolonged UV radiation. This method of disinfection has an advantage over chemical and thermal disinfection because:
- does not cause chemical changes in the composition of the medium;
- does not affect the appearance and condition of objects;
- does not change the taste and smell of water, food products;
- relatively safe;
- does not require special conditions, additional reagents, specific skills for maintenance of the installation.
In addition, the effect of UV radiation on the body is similar to that of the sun in the sense that UV light promotes the production of melatonin and vitamin D.
Peculiarities of quartz treatment
Most of all the disinfecting effect of low-wave light is needed in medical institutions, especially operating rooms, delivery rooms, virology and bacteriology laboratories, where sterility is the first and obligatory condition.
For reference: more than 70% of exogenous Pseudomonas infections occur in general and intensive care wards. The phenomenon is characterized as nosocomial infection.
On the basis of modern methodical instructions of Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation from 28.02.1995 N 11-16/03-06 for quartz treatment it is necessary to apply bezozonovye installations with a wavelength of 265 nm. This wavelength has the widest possible range of bactericidal action, while not resulting in the release of ozone which is harmful to humans.
Low-pressure ozone-free lamps are commonly referred to as germicidal lamps. The units come in various types and modifications, but for the most part they are a long tube emitter with a reflector and a trigger device built into the housing. Bactericidal lamps are installed so that the rays cover the maximum area of the room.
It will be useful to familiarize yourself with: Differences between a quartz lamp and an ultraviolet lamp.
The room quarts procedure is performed in the absence of people in the following order:
- The health care provider puts on a protective mask and goggles.
- Turn on the quartz lamp and leave the room, closing all doors behind you.
- After 1-2 hours, the health care worker wearing protective goggles and mask turns off the device and, in the case of outdated samples, leading to ozone emission, opens the windows to ventilate the room for 10-15 minutes.
- After the lamp has cooled down, the health care worker removes the protective equipment and only then the rest of the staff and patients are allowed in the room.
In a similar pattern disinfection by quartz emitters is carried out in children's, economic and industrial premises. There are closed-type units used for air sanitation in filtration systems, as well as with reflected bactericidal flux, directed to the upper hemisphere so that the direct rays do not fall on the level of human growth. Such lamps can operate in both the absence and presence of people.
Safety measures are associated with the danger of ingress of an aggressive spectrum of UV radiation on humans, so there is a risk of burns of the conjunctiva and iris, and with prolonged exposure to UV devices - the appearance of burns and the development of malignant skin diseases.
Harm and contraindications of quartz lamp
Contraindications for quartz treatment There are no contraindications to quartz treatment in the absence of people. There are a number of contraindications for general or local human exposure to ultraviolet light:
- systemic lesions of connective tissue;
- The presence of moles and birthmarks on the skin;
- Any stage of malignancy;
- postinfarction conditions;
- acute circulatory disorders in the brain;
- febrile conditions;
- cachexia;
- hyperthyroidism;
- photodermatosis and hypersensitivity of the skin to ultraviolet light;
- active forms of pulmonary tuberculosis, hepatitis, pancreatitis, gastric and duodenal ulcer
- neglected vascular atherosclerosis, exacerbations of arterial hypertension and cardiovascular insufficiency;
- blood clotting disorders;
- Renal and hepatic insufficiency in the acute phase.
Even in the absence of contraindications, prolonged quartz treatment poses certain harm to the person in the room with the unit on, as it leads to thinning of the lipid layer of the epidermis, which performs a barrier function, and in some cases, the appearance of burns. In addition, the destruction of normal microflora on the surface of the skin and disruption of immune mechanisms are noted. However, these phenomena occur with uncontrolled use of bactericidal lamps with a violation of safety precautions.
What to do in case of burns
The most sensitive organs to UV radiation are the eyes and skin.
The severity of the course depends on the individual photosensitivity of the body, but in most cases, to get a burn of the cornea, conjunctiva and iris is enough to look at a quartz lamp located at a distance of two to three meters over the course of a few seconds to several minutes. Symptoms appear after 3-4 hours and resemble conjunctivitis. In severe cases, blisters appear on the conjunctiva with the inability to open the eyelids.
First aid should be given as follows:
- Eliminate the source of radiation.
- Place the patient in a darkened room.
- Put cold on the eyes through a layer of gauze.
- Call a doctor.
Treatment occurs under medical supervision with drops containing nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and glucocorticosteroids.
Skin burns are similar to sunburn, treated with anti-burn creams and ointments.
Read more in this article: Ultraviolet lamp eye burn.
How to protect yourself from radiation
Quartz lamp is dangerous only if the safety rules are neglected. To protect your skin from the harmful effects of UV rays, it is sufficient to wear clothing that covers the entire surface of your body. You should wear special goggles with a photofilter that cuts off the harmful UV wavelengths.
Warning: ordinary blackout goggles do not protect from the harmful wavelength of light, but cause the pupil to dilate, increasing the severity of the lesion.
Employees of organizations and enterprises, which inevitably have to get under the rays of germicidal lamps are recommended to protect the exposed skin with sunscreens with SPF-filtering index of 60 units.
Quartzing at home is useful only if it is necessary to sanitize the home after a visit by a potential source of infection. To prevent the spread of disease in the presence of an already infected family member, quartzing is ineffective.
