UV 'Torch' to disinfect foods, articles developed by Maha professor

It has been inspired by a recent research paper published by Cornell University, New York, which has given details of how to eliminate such harmful bacteria-viruses as the world grapples with the Covid-19 pandemic, he added.

The UV rays used in the torch are within the normal parameters prescribed by the International Commission for Non-Ionising Radiation, Prof. Sonkawade added.

The torch was developed with the technical inputs of his son Aniket, a student of Deendayal Upadhyay Kaushalya Kendra in Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar University, Aurangabad and biological inputs of his daughter Poonam, a microbiology student at the Abasaheb Garware College, Pune.

Prof. Sonkawade assured that the UV Torch is "absolutely harmless to all the foodstuffs or any other material and humans: and perhaps more practical than washing everything for 20 minutes with soap and water, as prescribed in some quarters.

"As is now being done in some countries, a higher version model can be developed to disinfect all forms of public transport, even ambulances carrying Covid-19 victims, hospitals, workplaces, malls, supermarkets, etc. to make them absolutely free of all bacteria or viruses for the people," he said.

On the costing, he said efforts are on to reduce the costs further by 15-20 percent, but when there is bulk demand, it will come within a reasonable price-range.

--IANS

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