# An ultraviolet-C (UV-C) light device is effective for low-level disinfection of surgical site marking pens with UV-C transmissible caps

## TL;DR

A UV-C light device can effectively disinfect surgical site marking pens, potentially reducing plastic and carbon waste.

## Contribution

The study introduces a UV-C light device that enables low-level disinfection of marking pens with UV-C transmissible caps.

## Key findings

- The UV-C light device effectively decontaminated marking pens with UV-C transmissible plastic caps.
- Using this device could reduce the environmental impact of single-use plastic pens.
- The method offers a sustainable alternative to traditional single-use practices.

## Abstract

Single-use plastic pens are commonly used to mark surgical sites on the skin of patients. In laboratory testing, an ultraviolet-C (UV-C) light device was effective for decontamination of marking pens with plastic caps designed to allow transmission of UV-C. Decontamination of marking pens could reduce plastic and carbon footprints.