Distribution of Ultraviolet Intensity and UV Leaking of Commercial UV Sterilizers Used in Restaurants

음식점에서 사용하는 자외선 살균소독기 내 자외선 강도 분포 및 자외선 누출

  • Mok, Chul-Kyoon (Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Kyungwon University) ;
  • Lee, Nam-Hoon (Department of Food Science and Biotechnology, Kyungwon University)
  • 목철균 (경원대학교 식품생물공학과) ;
  • 이남훈 (경원대학교 식품생물공학과)
  • Published : 2008.04.30

Abstract

Ultraviolet sterilizers (UVS) are widely used in restaurants, cafeterias and catering businesses in Korea. The proper application of UVS, however, is still questionable since no studies have clearly identified their efficacy and safety, while regulations and regulatory management systems are yet to be established. In the present study, the efficacy of UVS were investigated by measuring spatial UV intensity inside five commercially operated UVS. The operating safety parameters were also checked by measuring leaked UV intensity. The UV intensities were inversely proportional to distance from the UV lamp within 25 cm, and to the square of the distance exceeding 25 cm. The UV intensities in commercial UVS varied with the distance from UV lamp and the incident angle, highlighting efficacy and stability concerns. Notable leakage was detected through the door gaps of a studied UVS, which also brought about safety concerns. Allowable working distances for the UV leaking UVS were suggested based on international standards.

식품제조 및 조리 현장에 널리 보급되어 사용되고 있는 자외선 살균소독기의 유효성과 안전성을 검정하기 위하여 자외선램프의 출력 및 거리에 따른 자외선 강도를 측정하였고, 시판 자외선 살균소독기 5종에 대하여 장치 내 자외선 분포를 조사하였으며, 자외선 누출을 검정하였다. 자외선 강도는 램프 출력에 비례하였으며, 근거리(<25 cm)에서는 램프로부터의 거리에, 원거리(>25 cm)에서는 거리의 제곱에 반비례하여 변화하였다. 자외선 살균소독기 내 자외선 강도는 선반의 중앙부에서 가장 높았고, 선반의 중심에서 전후 또는 좌우 방향으로 멀어짐에 따라 감소하였다. 선반 위치에 따른 자외선 강도는 상단 선반과 하단 선반사이에 큰 차이를 보였으며, 각 선반의 외곽부위에서는 자외선강도가 극히 약화되었다. 문틈 등 틈새가 있을 경우 이를 통한자외선 누출은 상당한 수준에 달하였으며, 누출 자외선 강도는거리에 따라 낮아졌다. 자외선이 누출되는 자외선 살균소독기에 대하여 선진국의 자외선 노출 허용량을 근거로 안전작업거리를 제시하였다.

Keywords

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