UV-C
Shortest ultraviolet band
UV-C is the shortest-wavelength band of ultraviolet light, ranging from 100 to 280 nanometers.
Unlike UV-A and UV-B, UV-C from the sun is absorbed by Earth's atmosphere and doesn't reach the surface.
Artificially produced UV-C is used for germicidal purposes—sterilizing medical equipment, purifying water, and disinfecting surfaces—because it damages the DNA of microorganisms.
Complete elimination of microbes
- disinfectionEliminating pathogens from surfaces
- sanitizationCleaning to remove pathogens
- bactericidalAble to destroy microbes
- antimicrobialKills or inhibits germs
decontamination · pathogen · microorganism · aseptic · cleanroom · infection control · hygiene · biosecurity
Metric unit, billion-fold smaller
- shortwaveHigh-frequency radio band
- spectrumContinuous range of values
- electromagneticInvolving electric and magnetic fields
- radiationEnergy propagation through space
photon · frequency · absorption · transmission · energy · quantum · spectroscopy · photodetector
Cutaneous vascular flushing
- DNA damageInjury to genetic material
- mutagenicCausing permanent DNA changes
- carcinogenicCauses cancer
- shieldingProtecting from harm
safety goggles · dosimeter · occupational safety · warning signs · timer · motion sensor · interlock · protective equipment
Second atmospheric layer up
- ozone layerAtmospheric UV filter
- ozone depletionProtective atmospheric layer destruction
- ozone holeThinned protective layer
- CFCsOzone-depleting compounds, abbreviated
chlorofluorocarbons · atmosphere · solar radiation · ozone shield · halons · ozone-friendly · blocked · filtered
sterilization
Complete elimination of microbes
- disinfectionEliminating pathogens from surfaces
- sanitizationCleaning to remove pathogens
- bactericidalAble to destroy microbes
antimicrobial · decontamination · pathogen · microorganism · aseptic · cleanroom · infection control · hygiene · biosecurity · water treatment
nanometer
Metric unit, billion-fold smaller
- shortwaveHigh-frequency radio band
- spectrumContinuous range of values
- electromagneticInvolving electric and magnetic fields
radiation · photon · frequency · absorption · transmission · energy · quantum · spectroscopy · photodetector · quartz
erythema
Cutaneous vascular flushing
- DNA damageInjury to genetic material
- mutagenicCausing permanent DNA changes
- carcinogenicCauses cancer
shielding · safety goggles · dosimeter · occupational safety · warning signs · timer · motion sensor · interlock · protective equipment
stratosphere
Second atmospheric layer up
- ozone layerAtmospheric UV filter
- ozone depletionProtective atmospheric layer destruction
- ozone holeThinned protective layer
CFCs · chlorofluorocarbons · atmosphere · solar radiation · ozone shield · halons · ozone-friendly · blocked · filtered
- Electromagnetic Wavesvisible light, radio waves, infrared light, ultraviolet light, gamma rays
- rayos UVUV-A, UV-B
- sterilization methodsUV light, ultraviolet, dry heat, moist heat, pasteurization
- radiation
- disinfectantsbleach, chlorine, antiseptic, disinfectant spray, hydrogen peroxide
UV-Cinfrared
Heat-bearing electromagnetic waves
far-infrared · radio waves · microwaves · red light · near-infrared