Some UV Wands are Unsafe: FDA

An FDA safety communication warns consumers about the potential risk of injury associated with using certain brands of ultraviolet (UV) wands. “Do not use these UV wands for disinfection because they may expose the user or any nearby person to unsafe levels of ultraviolet-C radiation and may cause injury to the skin, eyes, or both after a few seconds of use,” the notice says.

The agency says it is aware that some manufacturers are marketing unsafe UV wands for consumers to disinfect surfaces and kill germs in the home or similar spaces outside most healthcare settings. “FDA recommends that consumers do not use these products and consider using safer alternative methods,” the notice says.

The communication lists eight affected products and says the list will be updated as manufacturers implement corrective actions and if the agency finds that additional products are unsafe.