![]() There's no mention of safety certification other than 3C certification via Chinese regulators, either. And, as an observant CNET reader pointed out, Amazon has it categorized under "Hand Sanitizers."Īnother wand listed on Walmart features no child lock or auto-shutoff at all, and the listing never warns of any hazard to the eyes or skin - though it does boast of lights that are twice as intense as a previous model. You have to scan the fine print in one of the product photos to find a warning about exposure to the eyes and skin - it isn't printed anywhere else in the listing, though it does say you should wear protective goggles. The product features a child safety lock and an auto-shutoff feature if the wand isn't shining downward, but a misleading chart at the top of the product listing comparing the wand's LEDs to other types of UV lamps wrongly claims that the light comes with no side effects. One of the sponsored products at the top of Amazon's search ranks is a UVC light wand from a company headquartered in Shenzhen, China called 59S. Many of the products currently being sold seem to downplay that risk, or ignore it altogether. "So it may take several days before you realize you've damaged your eyes or caused burns on your skin." "The damage that's being done is also not instantaneous," Gwynn adds. There has to be some time for the device to be in place for it to be able to do the work it's intended to. "This is a hazard you can't see," explains Pamela Gwynn, principal engineer for UL's Life and Health Sciences related to medical equipment. The listing makes no mention of the potential hazard UV light poses to eyes and skin. This UVC wand is sold by Walmart for $20. ![]() UL is unwilling to certify wands like those due to the high risk in an uncontrolled home setting. The biggest concern, UL's experts say, are uncontained devices like light wands that could potentially expose a user's eyes or skin to the invisible UVC light at close range, causing damage. One potential source of risk is older, mercury-based UVC lamps, as well as lamps that emit ozone, which can be toxic to the lungs - but newer, UVC LED lamps are a potential hazard, as well. "The risk may increase if the unit is not installed properly or used by untrained individuals. ![]() "UVC lamps used for disinfection purposes may pose potential health and safety risks depending on the UVC wavelength, dose, and duration of radiation exposure," the guidance reads. The FDA is now warning consumers about UVC lights, too, with new guidance issued this summer. "Nevertheless, in the midst of COVID-19, we are concerned about proliferation of UVC disinfecting devices being sold with uncertain safety features and incomplete operating instructions." "We know that UVC is a proven way to help eliminate dangerous bacteria and viruses in water, air and on surfaces," says Karen Willis, NEMA's industry director for lighting systems.
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