topic Re: Hand held sterilizer wand? in Wellness

Hand held sterilizer wand?

sammybs — Sat, 05 Sep 2020 02:28:49 GMT

Does anyone own one? Thinking about getting one or two. Do they realy work?

Thanks.

Re: Hand held sterilizer wand?

Kachina624 — Sat, 05 Sep 2020 03:12:04 GMT

@sammybs How in the world would anyone know if these inexpensive sterilizers work? The only way to know would be to have a lab do cultures on objects that it has allegedly sterilized, at a cost of course. I'd rather use other sure-fire sterilization methods.

Re: Hand held sterilizer wand?

BeccaLou — Sat, 05 Sep 2020 03:18:58 GMT

@Kachina624 My thoughts exactly. I've been saying the same thing. I think these huxters are taking this a bit to far. Buyer Be-ware !!

Re: Hand held sterilizer wand?

NYwoman — Sat, 05 Sep 2020 04:19:14 GMT

I,too, have been thinking about getting one. I wonder about their efficacy and I DO NOT want to get one made in China. After all, these new cell phone cleaners are just boxes around the same UV light.

I have seen these used to detect pet bathroom mistakes around the house. That is a good use of them, also.

Re: Hand held sterilizer wand?

jackthebear — Sat, 05 Sep 2020 10:33:56 GMT

@sammybs wrote:
Does anyone own one? Thinking about getting one or two. Do they realy work?
Thanks.

no and I wouldn't buy one

people selling them are preying on one's fears

Re: Hand held sterilizer wand?

sann — Sat, 05 Sep 2020 10:36:46 GMT

It's about as dumb as that thing sold to put your phone in.

Re: Hand held sterilizer wand?

Bri369 — Sat, 05 Sep 2020 11:36:04 GMT

They look like a huge waste of money. I'd be very, very surprised if they actually sterilized anything.

Re: Hand held sterilizer wand?

SilleeMee — Sat, 05 Sep 2020 12:25:45 GMT

They work, but you need to know exactly how to use them correctly. They have limitations. These devices only disinfect. they do not sterilize.

Technical read:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7157946/

When I worked in a biohazard lab we had large UV lamps which would illuminate large surface areas. They were left on overnight to insure a 100% kill (sterilize).

Re: Hand held sterilizer wand?

CAcableGirl2 — Sat, 05 Sep 2020 13:17:51 GMT

@sammybs I saw on the news last night how to check and see if they actually work. They said to hold the light (about an inch) over a banana (unpeeled), and if the skin turns brown, they work, if not, then they don't. They were testing one that was purchased at Home Depot for about $20 - it didn't work.

Not sure if I believe it or not, but though I would mention what I heard.

Videos of tests on You Tube.

Re: Hand held sterilizer wand?

noodleann — Sat, 05 Sep 2020 13:50:39 GMT

@CAcableGirl2 wrote:
@sammybs I saw on the news last night how to check and see if they actually work. They said to hold the light (about an inch) over a banana (unpeeled), and if the skin turns brown, they work, if not, then they don't. They were testing one that was purchased at Home Depot for about $20 - it didn't work.

Not sure if I believe it or not, but though I would mention what I heard.

Videos of tests on You Tube.

Not exactly.

"Place the light over a green banana for 15 minutes. Any UV-C lamp will turn the skin brown. But here’s the caveat: The banana test works on a broad wavelength, and doesn't specifically target a wavelength of 260 nanometers. But it will tell you if the bulb works and whether it’s actually emitting UV-C light, which are both important questions, says Armani.

""Right now, this is a gray market without regulations,” says Shen. “There have been no rigorous scientific experiments and tests for the effectiveness of these devices.”"

Google for the August 3 Discover Magazine article, "UV Light Wands Are Supposed to Kill Viruses. But Do They Really Work?"

Re: Hand held sterilizer wand?

SilleeMee — Sat, 05 Sep 2020 14:57:30 GMT

Seems to me the UV light market is like the wild, wild west.

I would look for a light which is EPA certified. Not all of them have that listed in their description and I wouldn't buy one that didn't have that certification. It's a good place to start anyway. That info should also be printed on the box.

Re: Hand held sterilizer wand?

KingstonsMom — Sat, 05 Sep 2020 14:30:19 GMT

@noodleann

Valuable info with good source provided, thank you!

Re: Hand held sterilizer wand?

wagirl — Sat, 05 Sep 2020 15:20:47 GMT

On the "terry dubow; line- my- bank -acct HQ" shopping channel--he touts them all the time--tiny ones, med ones and room sized ones-----even while he is somewhere on vacation----nice example of staying put-----he should try snake oil next!!!!

Re: Hand held sterilizer wand?

morganjen — Sun, 06 Sep 2020 16:52:03 GMT

The FDA.gov website has information about UVC light disinfecting. I picked up two wands to give to my kids, who are school teachers.