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Tip of the week: Keep up on proper UV bulb replacement
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May 27, 2009
Those of you who use ultraviolet (UV) bulbs in your hospitals have a pair of considerations beyond the immediate use of the light for germicidal irradiation.
For starters, the UV bulbs in germicidal equipment are most likely classified as universal waste. Hospitals should check with state and local environmental authorities for the rules governing their disposal, said Aaron Engel,vice president of marketing for Sanuvox, a UV manufacturer in Saint-Laurent, Quebec.
Another pointer: Make sure you replace the bulbs according to manufacturer's instructions, said Dan Shattuck, HVAC foreman at Wilson Hospital in Johnson City, NY, who directs UV lights on his facility’s chiller coils.
Bulbs may still throw visible light but be ineffective in killing bacteria. Reasons for this include dust and film buildup. In fact, the bacteria-killing part of the light rays is invisible, so knowing the age of your bulbs and when they need to be replaced is a key maintenance component when attempting to kill organisms.
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