Since time immemorial, UV light has been extensively used to disinfect hospitals, chemical laboratories, meatpacking industries, etc. It was also used to treat diseases like tuberculosis and disinfection of water bodies in France in 1908. UV light has a wavelength between 100 to 400 nanometers, and photons transmitted through it have high energy levels. UV light is divided into three categories -
1) UV-A having a wavelength between 315 to 400 nanometers
2) UV-B having a wavelength between 280 to 315 nanometers
3) UV-C having a wavelength between 100 to 280 nanometers
Out of all these, UV-C has photons that vibrate at a faster rate and produces more energy, followed by UV-B and then UV-A.
Because of the ability of UV to sterilize any material that falls under it, it has been used for disinfection purposes for a very long time for residential and commercial purposes. But on the other hand, prolonged exposure to UV light can cause skin damage and even cause temporary eye loss.