Some ultraviolet wands pose risk of radiation injury, FDA says

Americans are being urged against using eight ultraviolet wands used to disinfect surfaces because of high levels of radiation the products emit that can cause injuries to the skin and eyes of those nearby.

Tests by the Food and Drug Administration found some products produce as much as 3,000 times the recommended exposure to ultraviolet-C radiation, the agency said on Wednesday in a statement.

Using the products (listed below) even for a few seconds might cause a burn-like skin reaction called erythema, or photokeratitis, an injury that can cause severe pain and a feeling of having sand in the eyes, the FDA cautioned.