Open AccessAccidental Exposure to Ultraviolet-C (UVC) Germicidal Lights: A Case Report and Recommendations in Orthodontic Clinical Settings
Author(s) -
Harshita Gupta,
Harneet Kaur,
Payal Mahajan,
Gurkeerat Singh
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
journal of indian orthodontic society/jios : journal of indian orthodontic society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 0974-9098
pISSN - 0301-5742
DOI - 10.1177/03015742211013761
Subject(s) - sterilization (economics) , covid-19 , medicine , accidental , ultraviolet radiation , radiation exposure , medical emergency , dentistry , infectious disease (medical specialty) , disease , business , pathology , radiochemistry , nuclear medicine , chemistry , physics , finance , exchange rate , acoustics , foreign exchange market
An emergent health crisis, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has demanded strict disinfection and sterilization protocols to limit the spread. One such approach is the use of ultravioletC (UVC) radiation for surface decontamination in hospital settings. UVC is the most powerful of the UV wavelengths and, therefore, the most damaging. The radiation is used for sterilization of workplaces and objects, and although there is no current evidence, perhaps it may eradicate airborne coronavirus. Humans should not be subjected to this form of irradiation. This form of radiation comes with a health warning, and humans should not be in the vicinity when UVC sterilization is occurring. This case report deals with the unfortunate incidence of an operator affected by UVC radiation while working on a patient in an orthodontic clinic. The article will serve as a timely warning to clinicians that awareness of the safety protocols should be observed. Besides, we present some recommendations for the use of UVC depuration of dental operatories.