Can I use a UV light to sterilise my Whitley workstation?
From time to time we are asked whether UV lights can be used to sterilise an anaerobic workstation. This technical note explains why this cannot be carried out as a routine procedure. Use of UV Light The use of a UV lamp for sterilisation purposes in any workstation which is made out of acrylic will damage the acrylic shell and therefore should not be used. Normal cleaning procedures are described in Technical Notes MA25 and MA32 and are sufficient for routine use. If there is a need for sterilisation then formaldehyde can be used as the sterilising agent under controlled condition. A UV “woods lamp” may be used for diagnostic purposes for determining fluorescence of certain anaerobes. This is available from DWS as code A00041, but this is not for sterilisation purposes. It should also be pointed out that UV light will also cause damage to growing cultures of bacteria.
