A ray of hope for drinking water quality
Ultraviolet light destroys pathogens without chemicals
Contaminated water polluted with pathogens is increasingly becoming a health risk. According to a study by the World Health Organization (WHO), more than two million people – many of them children – die each year as a result of drinking contaminated water, e.g. from infections or diarrhea. Since 1900, the worldwide consumption of drinking water has increased six-fold, while the world population has only tripled.
The decontamination of drinking water is still often achieved with the help of chemicals such as chlorine or ozone – an effective but environmentally contentious method. It is possible to treat the water in a much more environmentally friendly manner, as no chemicals are used, by means of high-energy ultraviolet radiation. During this process, special UV lamps from Heraeus not only destroy micro-organisms such as bacteria, viruses, parasites, and fungi, but they also break down harmful chemicals.
Drinking water is essential for life, but is a valuable and scarce commodity. Only 2.5 percent of the global water reserves are fresh water, while the remainder is saltwater. Clean drinking water is even rarer. Is enough available for the future? Ultraviolet light provides a ray of hope here.
