UV-C,
short-wave ultraviolet light in the 280 to 100 nm range
What
are the effects of ultraviolet light?
Biologically, the different regions of ultraviolet light have
completely different effects. The immediate result of exposing
the skin to UV-C and UV-B radiation is erythema or sunburn.
Long-term effects in this connection are premature ageing
of the skin and increased risk of skin cancer. Particular
risks are associated with wavelengths just under 300 nm in
the UV-B region. UV-C radiation in particular presents a further
health hazard: light of this wavelength is regarded as a cause
of conjunctivitis, i.e. acute inflammations of the conjunctiva,
the delicate mucous membrane covering the eyeball and the
under surface of the eyelid.
At the
same time, ultraviolet light in the wavelength range between
100 and 315 nm is used by industry for disinfecting foodstuffs,
as it kills off bacteria present in drinking water and milk,
for example. By contrast, ultraviolet light in the A-region
is completely safe in naturally occurring and artificially
producible doses. Its sole biological effect is pigmentation,
i.e. it tans the skin. That is why this range of radiation
is put to a wide range of industrial uses. In sunbeds, flourescent
lamps, in photochemistry and in copying equipment, UV-A light
plays an important role. And A-region ultraviolet light is
also widely employed in electric insect control devices.
A-region
ultraviolet light attracts insects
Unlike humans, some species of flying insect such as houseflies
and bluebottles, wasps and mosquitoes can see ultraviolet
light. In the 365-nanometre range in particular it exerts
an enormous attraction on these bugs. This fact has been put
to use for almost 20 years in the indoor battle against injurious
flying insects.
Electric
insect control devices are nowadays available in two different
versions. The older one lures insects by means of UV-A light
and destroys them on an electrically charged grid surrounding
the fluorescent tube. Smaller devices of this type, however,
offer only limited effectiveness - or are completely ineffective
- against flies and wasps owing to their low luminosity or
inadequate voltage at the grid.
In the
case of the innovative iGu® FANGREFLEKTOR®
System the luminosity of the fluorescent tube is appreciably
boosted by a reflecting adhesive foil which also acts as a
trap mechanism. The effectiveness
of the iGu®
FANGREFLEKTOR®
FR 3003 which
stands as a generic term for all models of iGu's Fangreflektor
system thus exceeds that of conventionally designed devices
many times over. By virtue of its insecticide-free mode of
operation, the iGu® FANGREFLEKTOR® FR 3003
was awarded Germany's prestigious "environmental angel" emblem,
as well as winning the "if" design prize.
By the
way, electric bug control devices cannot take the place of
a sunbed: the ultraviolet light rating is much too low to
give you a tan!
