MANILA, Philippines — The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) strongly advises against the use of ultraviolet (UV) light near or on human body parts for disinfection against coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
The FDA through Republic Act 9711 or the FDA Act of 2009 is mandated to regulate radiation devices such as UV emitting devices.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), UV radiation can cause skin irritation and damage to eyes due to exposure.
Additionally, the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation (ICNIRP) does not recommend the use of UV lamps for consumers or personal use.
UV radiation is typically classified into three wavebands with varying effects to human health specified as follows:
- UV-A (100-280 nm) classified as soft UV with health effects associated with skin aging and other effects;
- UV-B (280-315 nm) associated with sunburns, skin cancer and cataracts;
- UV-C (100-280 nm) commonly used in ‘germicidal’ or disinfection lamps, also associated with sunburns and eye injury – a condition known as ‘photokeratitis’.
The agency advised the public to follow disinfection protocols from the Department of Health (DOH) like proper handwashing, coughing and sneezing etiquette and physical distancing as best preventive measures against the virus.
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