i think they are different from the lab or professional type, kinda like the black lights of yor, gives that glowing look but thats about it. plus you can get UV lights for plants

So what your telling me is, you can now grow a chia pet in your case? lol...
Figured as much that they were harmless but figured i would pose the question.

I work in the water industry and regularly deal with UV disinfection for industrial/municipal systems.
To create UV-C light in a wavelength that will deactivate bacteria/viruses, the lamp likely contains mercury.  LEDs in these wavelengths are expensive and not readily available.
As bcav mentioned this is different from UV-A (like a black light).
 
I always wondered about mini-UV sterilizers for PC loops.
I am skeptical straight away, but I do see some good reviews and I guess the dosage to keep the water clear in your PC is much lower than what is required for a water treatment plant.
Many sites are now using UV in addition to, or in place of, chlorine for potable water and reclaimed water (although drinking water always needs some residual chlorine).
It can even replace pasteurization.
 
I'll stick with silver coil for my water loop.  Have never had any issues.
Black light/fluorescent stuff is cool, but just for looks.
Definitely wouldn't stare into a UV-C lamp for too long.  Your sunglasses block UV-B and UV-A, ozone layer takes care of UV-C.
Long term exposure to any of them is not the best idea but low intensity UV-A is reasonably mild compared to the rest.

I think they mean blacklight. Used to work about UV lamps in a printing plant. You don't want to experience eye UV burns.

I use UV-C in my system for sterilization, but its in the 3rd reservoir which has about 12 coats of Acrylic Red/ UV reactive paint covering the reservoir on a timer which is probably overkill as most UV-C radiation wont even pass through clear acrylic. All my other UV lights are perfectly same and controlled via remote. You can check out the PC build on my ModsRigs link to see what I'm talking about.