Not all Ultraviolet Wands are Safe

Many consumers use ultraviolet (UV) wands to disinfect surfaces and kill germs. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently announced that certain brands of UV wands  that may expose the user and nearby person to unsafe levels of ultraviolet-C (UV-C) radiation which may cause injury to the skin, eyes, or both after a few seconds of use. For a list of UV wand brands that may cause harm and to learn more please visit the FDA Safety Communication.

FDA Warns About Risks from a Hand-held UV Wand

The FDA has issued a safety communication about risks of ultraviolet light exposure from a hand-held ultraviolet-C (UVC) wand.  UVC light can cause damage to skin and eyes, and devices that produce UVC light should be designed to prevent injury to users.  Unfortunately, manufacturing defects or poor design can put users at risk. If you use a UVC device and develop skin or eye burns, please report this to the FDA.

Because of the danger of injury if a UVC device is used improperly or has a manufacturing defect, it is generally safer to clean surfaces using household cleaners or disinfectants. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has more information on how to safely clean and disinfect your home.