Frequently Asked Questions

Q) How long does it take to sterilize a counter top ?

A) It depends on the size of the counter top, how fast you move the UVS-1,  and what you are sterilizing against. For example, if you are sterilizing for influenza , and the counter top is 2ft by 1ft , and you move the UVS-1 at a moderate speed, it should take about 12 seconds. The dosage is accumulated, so if repeating the sterilization a number of times during the day will also increase the effectiveness even if you don't expose the area long enough the first time.

Q). Does the UVS-1 kill the H1N1 virus ?

A) Yes, the UVS-1 will sterilize H1N1 in about 1 3/4 seconds.

Q) How long does the UVS-1 last before recharging is required.

A) It depends on how often you use it and the length of time you use it. For example, if you sterilize for 5 seconds, every 15 minutes during an 8 hour work day, the UVS-1 would last several days before recharging is required. The UVS-1 can be used continuously for 2 hours before recharging is required , but can still be used if the charger cord is connected.

Q) How long does it take to recharge the UVS-1 ?

A) 1 hour if it has been fully depleted, less if it still has some charge remaining.

Q) How do I know the UVS-1 is working ?

A) Pressing the power button on the handle will light up the red light on the button. This lets you know that power is being sent to the bulb. If the bulb is working, you’ll see the round window on the top front light up in blue.

Q) Where is the UVS-1 manufactured ?

A) The UVS-1 is manufactured in Selden , NY. We do have manufacturing capabilities overseas, but we felt that the UVS-1 needed the highest quality of workmanship and customer support and so we manufacture them here.

Q) What is the purpose of the safety bypass switch ?

A) Normally the safety bypass switch is in the off position. This makes it so that the UVS-1 has to be on the surface and at the proper height to maximize its effectiveness. There are times when the contact points can’t touch the surface completely, so in those cases the safety bypass switch is placed in the on position. This allows you to sterilize uneven surfaces , or objects like door knobs, etc.

Q) What kind of light does the UVS-1 emit ?

A) The UVS-1 emits UV light at 254nm, which is referred to as germicidal UV light. It uses a high power 18 watt bulb that emits 5.5 watts of UV light at 254nm, yielding 3,700 uW ( micro watts ) at the surface you are sterilizing.

Q) How long will the bulb last ?

A) The bulb is rated for 9,000 hours of use. We recommend replacing the bulb every 1,000 hours or 1 year, whichever occurs first, to ensure that the bulb will always emit the full 3,700uW of power. This is because the amount if actual germicidal UV light that is emitted degrades by 15% until it reaches the 9,000 hour limit.

Q) I’ve seen another hand held sterilizer on the market that is much cheaper. Why does the UVS-1 cost more ?

A) The UVS-1 is a high power professional grade sterilizer, not a low power consumer/home grade unit.

When we developed the UVS-1 in 2003, there weren’t any products like it on the market. Since then there are a few that are designed for home use and are 1,000uW or less in output power. Lower power also allows them to use smaller bulbs/parts, and the cost is lower too. The drawback is that it takes much longer to sterilize. Also, since they aren’t designed to work on the surface, they are too far away from the surface to properly sterilize. For example, at 1” away from the bulb the UV effectiveness drops to about 1/3 , and at 2” it’s about 1/5. So for a unit rated at 1,000uW, when a person holds it above the surface about an inch they are likely only getting about 300uW on the surface. This is why these models suggest holding the light on the object for 20 seconds to sterilize for something like influenza. Having to pause for 20 seconds or more on each square inch of a counter would be very slow in an high traffic public setting.

The UVS-1 is designed for the professional market , with almost 4 times the output power, longer use time before charges, and can be used while charging. And since it’s designed to work on the surface, the full 3,700uW of power is applied to the surface. Also, due to the high output power on the surface, it would take one or 2 swipes across with moderate speed to sterilize a counter.

Q) What is ultraviolet light and how does it work to sterilize ?

A) Ultraviolet radiation (UV) comes naturally from the sun. There are also some manmade lamps and tools (welding tools, for instance) that can produce UV radiation. For most of us, however, the sun is the primary source of UV. UV is divided into at least three different categories based on wavelength:

UVA wavelengths (320-400 nm) are only slightly affected by ozone levels. Most UVA radiation is able to reach the earth's surface and can contribute to tanning, skin aging, eye damage, and immune suppression.

UVB wavelengths (280-320 nm) are strongly affected by ozone levels. Decreases in stratospheric ozone mean that more UVB radiation can reach the earth's surface, causing sunburns, snow blindness, immune suppression, and a variety of skin problems including skin cancer and premature aging.

UVC wavelengths (100-280 nm) are very strongly affected by ozone levels, so that the levels of UVC radiation reaching the earth's surface are relatively small. This is also known as Germicidal UV. ILAB's Ultra V Cleaner series of products use the 254nm UV-C range of ultraviolet light.

All UV radiation can be damaging. Studies have shown that increased UV radiation can cause significant damage, particularly to small animals and plants. Phytoplankton, fish eggs, and young plants with developing leaves are particularly susceptible to damage from overexposure to UV.

UV sterilization is widely used to treat air and water in hospitals, aquariums, ponds, commercial buildings, food processing plants, home water treatment, pet care and other areas requiring sterilization. It has been widely used to kill bacteria, fungi, mold spores, cysts , yeasts , eliminate water borne algae, and prevent the spread of disease. UV Sterilization is a proven, dependable and effective method that alters or disrupts the DNA and RNA of target organisms, and eradicates effectively without any harmful residuals.

Germicidal UV is primarily intended for the destruction of bacteria and other microorganisms in the air or on exposed surfaces.  In order for ultraviolet light to kill bacteria, the rays must directly strike the microorganism.  Germs floating in the air or on an outer surface may easily be reached by the ultraviolet rays and, therefore, are readily destroyed.  If the bacteria or mold spores are hidden below the surfaces of a material or are not in the direct path of the rays, they will not be destroyed.

The UVS-1 has an intensive germicidal effect that effectively kills micro-organisms, such as viruses, bacteria, fungi and yeasts by rendering them incapable of reproducing.

The exposure to UV necessary to kill microorganisms is the product of time and intensity ( dosage ).  High intensities for a short period of time, or low intensities for a long period are fundamentally equal in lethal action on microorganisms disregarding the life cycle of the microorganisms.

UV will not penetrate most substances.  Meat, cloth and food will not be sterilized by exposing to UV because the rays do not go beneath the surface.  Even ordinary glass is too opaque for UV.  Among the very few exceptions to this rule are clear water, which does permit some penetration, certain plastic films and specialty glass such as silica or quartz glass. Ordinary window glass blocks over 90% of germicidal UV light emitted by the UVS-1.

UV light from the UVS-1 causes adjacent thymine molecules on DNA to dimerize, if enough of these defects accumulate on a microorganism's DNA its replication is inhibited, thereby rendering it harmless (even though the organism may not be killed outright). However, since microorganisms can be shielded from ultraviolet light in small cracks and other shaded areas, the UVS-1 is advised to be used as a supplement to other sterilization techniques.

Q) Are there any chemicals used or byproducts when using the UVS-1 ?

A) The UVS-1 does not leave behind any chemical residue because it uses no chemicals or additives.

Q) What is the UVS-1 warranty ?

A) 1 year for defects in parts or workmanship.

Q). Should there be any precautions taken while using the UVS-1 ?

A) Skin and eye contact should definitely be avoided. The UVS-1 isn't like the home UV wands that are out there. It's much more powerful, and it’s power is what makes it so effective. We include UV safety glasses with the unit so that you can use them as an extra precaution. If you want to increase safety, then you can also ensure that you wear long sleeves and gloves. The UV light won't penetrate even through latex gloves or plastic. Also, the strength of the UV light diminishes rapidly even at short distances of an inch. This is also what makes the UVS-1 more effective than the home UV wands, because they are unsuitable for the market we are reaching for Doctor’s, Dentist’s, Hospitals , Medical offices, Hotels, and Cruise Ships.
If the UVS-1 is used properly then there is no need for the glasses or gloves. Exposure to the UV light can cause what would be similar to a sunburn. If the eyes are exposed, it would be like a sunburn to the eyes like a welder would get without using eye protection. And like sunburn, repeated sunburn or a bad sunburn can lead to skin cancer.
We would also recommend that if someone is sitting down at a reception desk, that when they use the UVS-1 they stand up so that the UVS-1 is not at eye level.
So using the UVS-1 safely as recommended in the user manual is important. Just like products like a curling iron, a clothes iron, a stove, a car, an Xray machine, etc. , there are dangers if not used properly.


Q) Is the UVS-1 suitable for killing dust mites in mattresses and pillows ?

A) In order for the light to sterilize dust mites, the light has to reach them. So the dust mites that remain inside the mattress or pillow wouldn't be affected. Those on the surface would be sterilized. Each time the UVS-1 is used, the amount of dust mites will be decreased as it sterilizes those feeding on the surface, as they eventually have to come up to where the food is.