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Comment by themantra514 | Hacker News Reader

254NM UVC light lamps might be a good solution for packaging.

Make sure they are made by a reputable manufacturer, and that you get them from a reputable distributor that tests for proper maximum UVC efficiency.

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I'm curious about the intensity and length of time needed to break down viruses with this light. Just wondering if there's some a possibility to use a "light bomb" to sanitize a room--set a light on a pole in the middle of the room. Leave the room and close the door, then trigger it for some length of time. Just an idle musing I had.

This is exactly one method hospitals use to sanitize rooms.

We literally do this for hospital rooms. There are uv devices that the cleaners bring in and turn on for 30-45 min.

So good idea!

> Make sure they are made by a reputable manufacturer, and that you get them from a reputable distributor...

Any recommendations? I'm guessing Amazon isn't the place to find them right now since I'm not seeing much. Google found a few, but some have shady/low-effort websites.

Also, be careful and wear sunglasses and long-sleeve clothing and pants.

You can easily burn your skin or eyes.

Curious, what's special about 254 nm? Is that a proven effective wavelength for killing bacteria/viruses for some reason?

Was wondering if places like Amazon considered adding UV lamps into the process to reduce contamination potential.

254 nm is the emission peak of a low-pressure mercury lamp. Anything in that range will have a germicidal effect, but this happens to be a cheap and effective way of generating UV.

I've got that in my main furnace duct and with two portable air purifier/filter machines.

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