A handheld portable device for sanitizing a surface or air surrounding a surface. The handheld portable device includes a body that comprises a user input and a far-UVC illumination source disposed at the body. The handheld portable device also includes a power source for providing power to the far-UVC illumination source. Responsive to actuating the user input, such as by a user holding the handheld portable device, the far-UVC illumination source emits far-UVC illumination to sanitize the surface or the air surrounding the surface of pathogens.
