The History of UV Light Disinfectant [A Journey through History and Science]

Like electricity, ultraviolet light is as old as the universe. It just took someone to notice.

The use of ultraviolet (UV) light as a disinfectant dates back to the 1800s when it was first discovered to have germicidal properties. Over the years, the technology has advanced, and UV light disinfection devices have become an increasingly popular method for killing harmful microorganisms in various settings, including healthcare facilities, laboratories, and public spaces. In this article, we will delve into the history of UV light disinfectant, exploring its origins, evolution, and applications in modern times.

1800s to 1902: First Discoveries

• 1801: German physicist Johann Wilhelm Ritter discovers UV radiation.
• 1877: British physiologist Arthur Downes and scientist Thomas P. Blunt observed that sunlight could kill bacteria, paving the way for further research on the effects of light on microorganisms. 
• 1902: German ophthalmologist Ernst Hertel identified that the UV-C wavelength (versus UV-A or UV-B) is most effective for killing microorganisms.

1903 to1950s: Pioneers of Invisible Light

• 1903: Niels Finsen, a Danish physician, was awarded the Nobel Prize for his use of UV against lupus vulgaris, tuberculosis of the skin. Finsen's work laid the foundation for the use of UV light in medical applications. He invented the Finsen Lamp, which was used successfully through the 1950s.
• 1910: For the first time, UV-C is used to disinfect the water supply in in Marseille, France. 
• 1933: William F. Wells, a Harvard University sanitary engineer, made significant strides in understanding and applying UV light for air disinfection. He discovered that airborne microorganisms could be killed by UV light, leading to the installation of such lights in suburban Philadelphia day schools to combat the spread of measles in 1937.
• 1930s: Throughout the 1930s, Westinghouse Electric Company R&D engineers and scientists developed and patented the first commercially available UV lamps. These lamps were mainly used in hospitals.
• 1940s: UV light was employed to sanitize air in a variety of settings, including hospitals, kitchens, meat storage and processing facilities, bakeries, breweries, dairies, beverage production plants, pharmaceutical plants, and animal laboratories - wherever the presence of microbiological contaminants was a concern. While the use of these lamps reached across multiple industries, the technology was not widely adopted by everyone in those spaces. There hesitation was due to the high cost and the fact that the lamps emitted dangerous levels of UV radiation.
• 1950s: UV light is incorporated into air handling equipment, and it becomes a significant piece in the control and defeat of tuberculosis.

1960s to 1990s: Defeat and Rebirth

• 1950s: Numerous studies attempted to replicate Wells' achievement in air disinfection, focusing on preventing the transmission of measles among school children. Unfortunately, those studies were not able to recreate Wells’ success, which contributed to the disillusionment and ultimately the abandonment of UV light for air disinfection.
• 1960s: UV disinfection became unpopular due to the emergence of more effective disinfectants, such as antibiotics and chemicals. Additionally, there were concerns about the harmful effects of UV light on human health, particularly the risk of skin cancer and eye damage. As a result, UV light disinfection fell out of favor and was largely replaced by these alternative methods. 
• 1970s and 1980s: The emergence of drug-resistant "superbugs" led to renewed interest in UV disinfection. It was discovered that germs were evolving resistance, and UV was seen as a potential solution to this problem. This is really when UV light disinfection began its revival.

21st Century 

• 2001: Over 6,000 UV water treatment plants were operating in Europe.
• 2019: The SARS-CoV2 virus caused a global lockdown. Different products using UV-C and far UV-C appear on the market. With a wide variety of products on the market, it was obtainable for home-users to purchase this tech.

Final Thoughts

The history of UV light disinfectant is a fascinating story of innovation and discovery. From its humble beginnings as a little-known scientific curiosity, UV light disinfection has evolved into a vital technology for ensuring public health and safety. As we continue to face new challenges posed by the spread of infectious diseases, the use of UV light disinfectant devices are likely to become even more widespread. With ongoing research and development, we can expect to see new applications and advances in this field in the years to come.

To learn more, check out our UV Disinfection articles that are written by experts! Our articles help you better understand the ins and outs of UV disinfection, and whether or not it can be beneficial to your industry. 

We hope this helps!