Standalone uv-c sanitizing apparatus and method

A method for sanitizing and sterilizing, the method comprising:

• (a) providing a housing having:
• (i) a right section and a left section wherein a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) are positioned to emit ultraviolet (UV-C) light and are mounted on an underside of the right section and left section of the housing;
• (ii) a circuit board, wherein each LED is coupled to the circuit board and each LED is independently removable and replaceable;
• (iii) a power source coupled to the circuit board, wherein the power source is operable to deliver power to each LED;
• and
• (iv) a handguard positioned under the housing;
• (b) positioning hands of a user between the handguards and the right section and left section of the housing;
• (c) activating the power source to activate the LEDs;
• and
• (d) exposing the hands of the user to the UV-C light emitted from the LEDs within a preset exposure area below the housing for a predetermined period of time based on the distance of the handguard to the LEDs and the power emitted from the power source, and at a wavelength suitable to kill, destroy, or reduce growth of microorganisms and germs in the preset exposure area.