Daily Giz Wiz 766: Verilux CleanWave Pocket Sanitizing Wand

Episode 766 of the podcast

Subject:	Review of Verilux CleanWave Pocket Sanitizing Wand
Released:	Monday 16 February 2009
Length:	about 24 minutes
Download file:	dgw0766.mp3 (11 MB)

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Detailed information

Dick has covered 2 previous Verilux products: the Full Spectrum Book Light (Episode 51) and the Rise and Shine Bedside Lamp Alarm Clock (Episode 88).  True to the Latin roots of its name, Verilux continues with the "light" theme, this time ultraviolet light.  The CleanWave≈ Pocket Wand uses UV-C to disinfect surfaces by killing germs and bacteria.  Press the big round button on the handle to release the wand and the ultraviolet rays, which emit downwards.  On the underside of the handle is another switch which turns on a built-in flashlight located at one end of the handle.  The Pocket Wand uses a rechargeable battery and comes with an AC charger.

According to the product manual, UV-A are the tanning rays, UV-B are the rays that give you sunburn, and UV-C are the germicidal rays, which at the same time are cancer-causing.  Care must be taken that you do not expose your skin or eyes to the UV-C rays emitted from the Wand.  A few safety measures come with the design of the Wand.  (1) A sensor is built into the Wand so that if the Wand is tilted upwards, the Wand will turn off the UV emission.  (2) The UV light itself is invisible to the human eye, but a blue light will come on when the UV Wand is on (as a reminder that there are UV emissions).  (3) In case you forget to turn off the Wand, it will also turn itself off after 3 minutes' operation.

You can use it on your bedding, diaper bag, keyboard, and other surfaces.  Just don't try shining the UV rays on yourself, and don't try any of the Harry Potter spells on it, like Aloha mora.

(source: insidedgw.vox.com)