UV/Ozone Overview This process uses short wave ultraviolet (UV) light, combined with ozone, to decompose organic materials. The ozone may be generated by the UV light or may be injected from another source. This process depends entirely on line-of-sight exposure to the UV light and works best on simple, flat surfaces. The process is best for removing very thin organic films and for producing higher cleanliness levels. It is very dependent on the thickness of the soil; the thicker the soil, the longer it will take to clean. It will not remove particles or salts. The UV light may cause oxidation of some metals, depending on the metal and length of exposure. Commercial equipment is inexpensive. Safety is an issue with this process due to the intense shortwave UV light. In addition, the presence of ozone is a safety and environmental issue. The UV lamps may contain mercury, which would be a safety hazard if the lamps were broken. State Information | Glossary | Conversion Checklist | Comments Home | Process Advisor | Alternatives | Links | Search All SAGE material, Copyright© 1992, Research Triangle Institute Last Update: 18 March 1995 sage@rti.org http://clean.rti.org/alt.cfm?id=uv&cat=ov