Health Care

A UV filter is a piece of equipment that uses ultraviolet light to sterilize water in order to make it drinkable for humans.

Many other filters involve the use of chemicals or other such materials in order to sterilize water by killing any bacteria or viruses that may be present in it. An ultraviolet filter is different because it incorporates a UV light generator. As water passes through the filter when it is in operation, it is exposed to the UV light, and any viruses or bacteria present in the water can thus be dealt with.

The “active ingredient” of the filter, ultraviolet light has long been used in applications that require constant and fast sterilization, from food processing and preservation to waste water treatment and laboratory and medical applications requiring the sterilization of air, flat surfaces, equipment and so on. Certain sorts of ultraviolet light have also been proven effective against bacteria, viruses and certain microorganisms such as Cryptosporidium, Giardia and protists. As a matter of fact, one of the most ancient methods of disinfection of various substances – solar disinfection – partially relies on the ultraviolet radiation that is part of sunlight.

Ultraviolet light works against viruses, bacteria, pathogens and other potentially harmful particles by modifying and even destroying their nucleic acids and disrupting their DNA. When employed in a UV filter, UV light can have two effects on these microorganisms. It can either eliminate their ability to reproduce, or can kill them outright, a more desirable outcome where water purification is concerned.