Quck answer
Yes, you can use a blacklight to search for bacteria in your home. Blacklights emit ultraviolet (UV) light, which can make certain substances, including some bacteria, fluoresce or glow. However, it is important to note that not all bacteria will fluoresce under a blacklight, and the presence of fluorescence does not necessarily indicate the presence of harmful bacteria. Additionally, a blacklight should not be used as the sole method of detecting bacteria, as it is not a reliable or comprehensive test. Other methods, such as swabbing and culturing samples, should be used for accurate bacterial identification.
Blacklight, also known as long-wave ultraviolet light or UVA light, has the ability to make certain materials emit visible light in complete darkness. This means that when exposed to UVA light, these materials will glow. Horiba Scientific, a company specializing in scientific instruments, states that bodily fluids such as saliva, semen, and vaginal fluid can fluoresce and be detected under a blacklight. This explains why blacklights are often used in crime scene investigations on television shows.
While certain bodily fluids can carry bacteria and viruses that cause illnesses, it’s important to note that a blacklight is not specifically designed to detect bacteria and viruses. It can only illuminate fluorescent bodily fluids that may potentially contain these microorganisms. Using a blacklight does not provide any information about the presence of bacteria and viruses.
Dr. Eric Lee, a medical director of multiple nursing homes, an ER physician, and a medical expert for InvigorMedical.com, advises against using a blacklight to search for bacteria. He believes that actively searching for bacteria and attempting to eradicate them on a regular basis is unnecessary for most people.
When it comes to the coronavirus (COVID-19), Dr. Shuhan He, an Emergency Medicine physician at Massachusetts General Hospital, explains that a blacklight cannot specifically isolate and distinguish the virus. Advanced electron microscopy is required to visualize the coronavirus, as it is a very small virus.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also states that there is insufficient information to determine which bodily fluids, other than respiratory fluid, specifically transmit the coronavirus. It is not yet known if viable and infectious coronavirus can be found in nonrespiratory fluids such as urine, semen, vomit, and breast milk. The primary mode of transmission is believed to be through respiratory droplets produced when someone coughs or sneezes. However, the CDC acknowledges the possibility of transmission through contaminated surfaces and objects, although it is not considered the main mode of spread.
Considering the properties of blacklight, expert opinions, and information from the CDC, it is clear that a blacklight should not be relied upon as a method to specifically detect the coronavirus. It can help identify bodily fluids that may contain the virus, but the data regarding which fluids are implicated is limited. Therefore, while a blacklight can assist in disinfecting surfaces to prevent the overall spread of diseases, if you suspect exposure to the coronavirus, it is crucial to seek medical advice and get tested through the CDC’s diagnostic test in collaboration with your state and local health departments.
Summarizing:
In your home, a blacklight cannot be used to detect bacteria. Its only function is to reveal evidence of bodily fluids.
