How UV-C light is used to disinfect hard to reach surfaces better than chemical disinfectants and how we are using this technology to better our self-services kiosks.
What is UV-C light?
The three main types of UV rays are UV-A, UV-B, and UV-C. UVB rays are responsible for producing sunburn and UVA rays penetrate more deeply into the skin causing wrinkles. UV-C rays, on the other hand, have the shortest wavelength and the highest energy – allowing them to kill bacteria and viruses.
How UV-C light kills viruses.
In 1878 UV-C light was identified as a way to sterilise bacteria – eliminating 99.9% of pathogens. It is highly effective at decontamination because it destroys the molecular bonds that hold together the DNA of viruses and bacteria, including “superbugs,” which have developed a stronger resistance to antibiotics. Under proper conditions low doses of UV-C light is harmful for pathogens, but safe for humans.
UV-C vs chemical disinfectant
Unlike other forms of disinfectant, UV-C light is a very reliable and fast way to kill known pathogens, bacteria, viruses, and superbugs.
Chemical disinfectants are a great option for stopping the spread of a virus but it isn’t the most practical. Chemical disinfectants can be very difficult to accurately and routinely disinfect large surface areas, especially in areas such as hospitals, planes and shopping centres.
Chemical disinfectants are often flammable, required long wait times on surfaces after application and shouldn’t be used on porous surfaces. For high traffic areas with large surface areas such as aeroplanes and hospitals, accurately using chemical disinfectant can be an extremely challenging task.
UV-C light in action.
Using UV-C light to kill unwanted bacteria and viruses isn’t anything new. It has been used in hospitals for years and you can even buy handheld UV-C wands to sterilize drinking water. In the wake of COVID-19, there has been an increase in UV-C lights for commercial use to prevent the spread of pathogens.
Dimer has developed the first UV-C system designed just for aeroplanes called the Germ Falcon. Dimer uses 254nm UVC, proven effective against Coronavirus, Ebola, Influenza, and all other known disease-causing pathogens.
UVD Robots is reducing hospital-acquired infections with a fully autonomous UV Disinfection Robot. The UVD Robot is used as part of the regular cleaning cycle and aims at preventing and reducing the spread of infectious diseases, bacteria, and other types of harmful organic microorganisms in the environment by breaking down their DNA-structure. These UV disinfecting robots have been deployed in about 50 countries so far.
How Neo is using UV-C.
We have introduced a UV-C cleaning solution as one of our Neo Guard Modules – utilising ultraviolet light to destroy harmful bacteria on touch screens. The automated chemical-free disinfecting technology is your second line of defense against the spread of infectious microorganisms in retail and hospitality POS and kiosk touchscreen applications.
The UV cleaning module provides a 24” active cleaning area range and has fully automated and customisable cleaning cycles. Motion activated sensors provide a safe deployment of UV-C light to eliminate the spread of viruses.
Neo Guard UV cleaning comes in flexible configurations to allow easy attachment to existing kiosks and surfaces. It is also adaptable to different needs with a wide variety of potential applications. UV Cleaning is also a more cost efficient way to clean your surfaces.
Kiosk Mount – Gaming machines and Balance check terminals
Clamp Mount – Casino chips and Playing cards
Surface Mount – EFTPOS pin pads, Door access pin pads and Elevator pin pads
Standalone – Restaurant menus and Staff handheld devices
Our 6 Neo Guard Suite.
The UV-C Cleaning Module is just one of 6 new health modules in the Neo Guard suite. Neo Guard is a suite of modular innovative solutions that utilise leading edge technology to interact, health screen, sanitise, clean and control access to reassure customers, visitors and staff of a safe environment. Each module can be implemented separately or co-exist in an integrated kiosk.
- Interactive Screen – Provide access requirements information, wayfinding and verification questions
- UV Cleaning – Elimination of harmful germs and bacteria from kiosk screens using UVC
- Medical Screening – Touchless solution to take temperature and identify if within safe ranges
- ID Verification – Check and validate through ID card swipe, document verification or facial recognition
- Sanitisation – Monitor and dispense hand sanitizer and / or sanitization wipes
- Access Control – Print labels and grant access through entry gates or bollard systems
As COVID-19 remains at the forefront of our decisions, we need to ensure that we are doing everything we can to prevent the spread of the virus. This includes adapting and innovation to provide our customers and the public with the highest level of safety.
Although these disinfectant methods and safety precautions have been initiated as a result of COVID-19, they will remain as integrated modules to all of our future self-service kiosks.
For more information about the Neo Guard please contact us here.
