An apparatus for sterilizing or disinfecting the hands of a person comprises a housing (2) provided with at least one entrance aperture for inserting the hands (12) and ultraviolet light emitting means (10a,10b) disposed within the housing for irradiating an irradiation zone (6) located within the housing. The housing has interior walls provided with a reflective surface (16) for reflecting ultraviolet light, which reflective surface is formed by a coating of titanium dioxide nanoparticles. The apparatus is particularly useful but not limited to destroying microbial load present on operators hands, e.g. in food industry, hospitals, but also in other public sector domains such as public transportation stations and vehicles, shopping areas, amusement areas, swimming pools and spas.
