UV disinfecting wands could emit unsafe levels of UV-C radiation

U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued a safety communication warning consumers that certain UV wands (used to disinfect and kill germs) may cause injury to the skin, eyes, or both after a few seconds of use, due to unsafe levels of radiation.

About UVC Radiation, UV Wands and FDA Testing

Ultraviolet-C (UV-C) radiation is a type of radiation. UV-C radiation is a known disinfectant for air, water, and nonporous surfaces.

The FDA tested samples of UV wands, from multiple manufacturers, that are marketing the wands to consumers to disinfect and kill germs in the home or other spaces generally outside a health care setting. The FDA testing found that these products (listed below) give off unsafe levels of UV-C radiation.

When a product is advertised to disinfect in seconds, it likely means that it gives off an unsafe level of UV-C radiation. The FDA also identified some common features among the products tested, such as lack of safety information, claims to disinfect in seconds, and the lack of any safety features to protect users.

The FDA advises consumers not to use the UV wands listed in the safety communication (see below) and consider using safer methods, such as chemical cleaners.

It’s important to note the UV wands listed in the safety communication may have been labeled with additional names, so it’s possible you could have a potentially dangerous wand that’s not specifically noted on the list. Also, if you have or see a UV wand that doesn’t have safety instructions or information on its risks and the radiation it gives off, then the FDA advises that you don’t use it and consider using alternative safer methods.

UV Wands That Give Off Unsafe Levels of Radiation
(Product Name, Manufacturer/Importer/Location; Link to FDA Letter):

Safe•T•Lite, Max-Lux Safe-T-Lite UV Wand
Max‐lux Corporation (Guangdong, China)
https://www.fda.gov/media/152505/download?attachment

OttLite Rechargeable UVC Disinfecting Wand, model: UV10002M
OttLite Technologies Inc. (Tampa, Florida)
https://www.fda.gov/media/160047/download?attachment

UVILIZER Flip, model: SG-153, IMB UVILIZER Flip UV Wand
In My Bathroom LLC, “dba” IMB (Calabasas, California)
https://www.fda.gov/media/160044/download?attachment

Ultraviolet Sterilamp, model: PURPLEGLOW, Vanelc Sterilamp Purpleglow UV Wand
Vanelc (Oceanside, New York)
https://www.fda.gov/media/160049/download?attachment

Sharper Image® UV Sanitizing Portable Wand, model: 101362
MerchSource LLC (Irvine, California)
https://www.fda.gov/media/160046/download?attachment

SurfaceSoap UV, PhoneSoap SurfaceSoap UV Wand
PhoneSoap LLC (Provo, Utah)
https://www.fda.gov/media/160048/download?attachment

Magic UV Light SanitizerTM
Magic UV Light Sanitizer (Salt Lake City, Utah )
https://www.fda.gov/media/160045/download?attachment

Purple Glow Ultraviolet Sterilamp, model: BP52
In My Bathroom LLC, “dba” IMB (Calabasas, California)
https://www.fda.gov/media/171296/download?attachment

UVILIZER UV Light Sanitizer, model: Razor, IMB UVLIZER Light Sanitizer
In My Bathroom LLC, “dba” IMB (Calabasas, California)
https://www.fda.gov/media/171295/download?attachment

OttLite Compact Travel Disinfecting Wand, model: UV11001M
OttLite Technologies Inc. (Tampa, Florida)
https://www.fda.gov/media/171292/download?attachment

WBM Smart UV Portable Sterilizer, model: UV-03
WBM UV Wand   World Business Management (WBM) (Flemington, New Jersey)
https://www.fda.gov/media/171291/download?attachment

Safe and Healthy Disinfecting UV Light, model: 2090
Ontel Products Corporation (Fairfield, New Jersey)
https://www.fda.gov/media/171294/download?attachment

59S® Wand Disinfector, model: 5F1025917, Shenzen UV Guard 59S
Shenzhen UV Guard Technology Co., Ltd. (Shenzhen, China)
https://www.fda.gov/media/171293/download?attachment