UV-Curing

Three months have passed since I wrote the FIRST PART of what appears to be a multi-part story, dedicated to keeping track of how the world of digital printing has coped with the COVID-19 global pandemic.

With more than 4,228,896 confirmed active cases, 285,363 deaths and 1,512,971 recovered around the world, it seems that this virus has been much more aggressive than the world thought. Even with the hermetic closure of borders around the world this has been spread throughout it.

China, the country where the virus originated, finally has managed to significantly flatten the contagion curve; decreasing new cases per day, as well as the number of deaths. Iran and Italy who were also severely affected have also managed to flatten the curve. But now the virus has reached the new continent, and the United States is one of the most affected countries. Although many measures have been taken to contain COVID 19, it is still far from the whole world flattening the curve.

At a time when the whole wold struggles to control the virus, we all agree that the coronavirus has the potential to be as damaging to the human health as for the global economy. With almost everyone in quarantine and only the essential businesses working, it hasn't taken long to make the economic effects felt in all industries.

AVIANCA, Latin America's second largest airline, has filed for bankruptcy protection in a US court, since the pandemic had cut more than 80% of its income and the airline industry continues with more and more travel restrictions.


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Photo courtesy of www.news.gtp.gr


With the majority of people locked at home and the mobility restrictions imposed by governments around the world, the oil demand also has decreased to such a point that the barrel of oil is almost the same price as it was in 1974 “$24.37” (acording to www.oilprice.com, May 2020-05-11).

These have been times of change and evolution around the world. From the oil industry to the printing industry we have been affected in one way or another.

With many trade shows canceled or postponed, It seems that this year will be a very difficult year for companies that had their hopes set in this new decade for the launch of new technology. We will have to wait and see if the tradeshows postponed for the other half of the year can be made or if 2020 really will be a year without exhibitions.

But something that has always characterized the printing industry is that despite the difficulties has always managed to adapt and get ahead. This is a united industry that never gives up and always looks for a way to get afloat, keeping their human side and reaching out to help each other.

Such is the case of A.T. INKS, that despite having delivery times for its products, they have also managed to readjust their work chain to produce hand sanitizer to help their country (India) with the shortages of this product.


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Hand sanitizer manufactured by A.T. INKS. Photo courtesy A.T. INKS.


Just like A.T. INKS many other ink companies, such as Polymeric Group, Marabu, and Dupont among many others, have also joined forces using their expertise in formulation and production to help provide solutions, developing various products that are of great importance in order to stop COVID-19.

Durst Phototechnik is producing community masks in its demo center at Brixen, Italy. Just Vision It (JVI), a dye sublimation wholesale manufacturer based in Missouri, is also manufacturing sublimated facemask to support efforts toward preventing the spread of the virus.


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Photo courtesy www.durst-group.com


The difficult times are those that have shaped us into what we are now. A solid industry with a human side that has always characterized us. I know that this will not be solved overnight but I also know that we will get out of this situation by being better.

Remember "Stay home, keep safe and wash your hands"

See you on the PART 3 “The Rise of the Humanity” (still working on the title don't judge me)

Published in Signage
Thursday, 11 June 2020 20:22

Fighting COVID-19 using UV

In light of the new COVID-19 spread (pun intended) scientists are not only looking for a cure but also ways to prevent the virus form spreading.

So far we know that alcohol can eliminate COVID-19 from surfaces and that antibacterial soap is also a great way to disinfect.

People are now speculating UV lights can kill the COVID-19 virus, but are they really effective? Even US President Donald Trump suggested using strong UV light to treat COVID-19 Patients. But that won't prevent or treat any cases of the disease, since UV lights can cause skin cancer.

The premise is not completely wrong or incorrect. For decades, scientists have known about the disinfection ability of ultraviolet wavelengths, specifically germicidal UV (also known as UV-C). This is where the main difference relies; regular UV lights are not the way to go, but what about UV-C?

What is the difference between UV and UV-C?

Let´s start from the beginning, sunlight contains three types of UV: UV-A, UV-B and UV-C.

  • UV-A, which constitutes the majority of the ultraviolet radiation that, reaches the Earth´s surface and can penetrate the skin deeply, cause skin-aging, wrinkles and age spots.
  • UV-B can damage the DNA of the skin provoking sunburn and skin cancer, also caused by UV-A.
  • UV-C these are the shorter and more energetic wavelength lights, that can destroy genetic material in humans or viral particles. UV-C lights are filtered by ozone in the atmosphere
  • Use of UV-C for disinfecting

    According to Air Science website: “Ultraviolet light is proven to kill or inactivate microorganisms by destroying nucleic acids and disrupting their DNA, leaving them unable to perform vital cellular functions. In light of the current Coronavirus outbreak, UV germicidal lamps are being used to aid in disinfection of air, surfaces and equipment within hospitals and healthcare facilities, to help reduce and control the spread of the virus”.

    The use of UV-C lights on different surfaces as a cleanser is well established in hospitals, it eliminates 95% of aerosolized H1N1 influenza, the flu and superbug.

    UV-C is used for disinfection with applications in water treatment, air systems, and surfaces. DNA and RNA (genetic code for all life forms) absorb UV-C radiation by changing its structure and inhibits the affected cells´ ability to reproduce, so they are no longer dangerous. Although the quantity of UVC lights to inactivate different microorganisms varies and some are immune to this treatment.

    UVC´s ability to inactivate bacteria and viruses is the same principle that makes it damaging to human cells that also contain DNA. And it is why exposure to UVC is regulated globally, with the common agreement that it is harmful and presents a risk for human health.

    Some of the recommended precautions when handling UCV radiation sources include: wearing appropriate PPE (long sleeve clothing, gloves, opaque face shield), and to avoid this type of radiation on the skin, eyes, or any body part.

    These are some of the reasons why UVC lighting is not recommended to the used on humans to disinfect or to treat the virus. It is useful however to disinfect surfaces but not to be used on people. It is very important to take into consideration the opinion of experts in the field before exposing yourself to UV lights, that might kill COVID-19 but are not safe on humans.

    The International Ultraviolet Association (IUVA) and RadTech North America are educational and advocacy organizations consisting of UV equipment vendors, scientists, engineers, consultants, and members of the medical profession, states: “We would like to inform the public that there are no protocols to advise or to permit the safe use of UV light directly on the human body at the wavelengths and exposures proven to efficiently kill viruses such as SARS-CoV-2. UV light under the conditions known to kill such viruses are also known to cause severe skin burns, skin cancer, and eye damage. We strongly recommend that anyone using UV light to disinfect medical equipment, surfaces, or air in the context of COVID-19, applications that are supported by sound scientific evidence, follow all recommended health and safety precautions and to avoid direct exposure of the body to the UV light.”


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    Published in UV-Curing

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