system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
Do UV sanitizing wands really work and if so, how?
gpt
UV radiation damages the DNA of cells. The idea is to hurt them to a point that prevents them from being able to replicate efficiently, not to simply kill them off the first go.

UV radiation however is only good for surfaces and only OK for water sources (need more intensity/time to do the same effect). For damaging cells within the bulk of an item, high energy X-rays, gamma rays, and electron beams can be used (and are used very often for sterilizing foods and medical equipment). The best part of it all is that you can package an item, and then without even opening it up, sterilize the contents!