How Effective is Far UVC Light at 222 nm?

Far UVC is ultraviolet (UV) light in the range of 207–222 nm, which are shorter wavelengths than the traditional 254 nm UVC lamps.  Interest in far UVC technology is increasing with more research and awareness of the many benefits of UVC lamps engineered to emit wavelengths in the far UVC range. Far UVC wavelengths are shown to provide the same germicidal effectiveness with many benefits such as improved safety. 

Safety of Far UVC vs. Traditional 254 nm UV Lamps

Traditional 254 nm lamps emit powerful UVC radiation highly effective for germicidal applications, although cannot be used when people are present in the room. Traditional UVC sterilization systems must be operated in a closed system, with precautionary measures to shut off automatically if a person enters the room because they can damage human eyes and skin. Far UVC 222 nm lamps emit shorter wavelengths that are shown to operate safely without causing harm to human eyes and skin. 

Far UVC 222 nm Lamp Effectiveness

Far UVC lamps are also shown to be highly effective at killing the same types of viruses, bacteria, and harmful pathogens as traditional UV germicidal lamps, influenza, alpha, and beta coronaviruses. One study conducted by various universities showed that far UVC technology effectively eliminated the threat of airborne bacteria, S. Aureus, while continually spraying into a room. The far UVC lamps and overhead systems eliminated 98% of airborne microbes even though they were continually spraying into the room.

This study and others like it so that the future is bright for far UVC light, with effective disinfection that can be used continually as opposed to only when people are not in the room.

LightSources is a leader in the UVC lamp industry with a wide range of traditional 254 nm UV lamps and custom design and engineering to meet specific wavelength emissions. Our UVC germicidal lamps can be found worldwide in surface, water, and air purification systems. Contact us to learn more about UVC germicidal technology including far UVC lamps.

Custom Designed 254 nm UV Lamps

254 nm UV lamps describe the most common type of UVC germicidal lamps used to disinfect the air, water, and surfaces.  Ultraviolet (UV) radiation emitted in the UVC range, between 100 to 280 nm, is proven to be most effective at eradicating harmful bacteria, viruses, and pathogens.  UVC lamps are designed to emit UV radiation in the range of 254 nm quickly and effectively penetrate the cells of harmful microbes, altering the DNA and rendering these cells unable to replicate, thus considered harmless.

UVC lamps are used in many environments and applications such as in hospitals, in patient rooms, and operating rooms, to disinfect medical equipment and supplies.  Germicidal UVC lamps are also used to sterilize the air in many industrial, commercial, and residential environments including in HVAC units, furnaces, and air conditioning systems.  Many surface sterilization systems utilize the power of UVC radiation as well as water disinfection UVC systems. 

254 nm UVC Lamp Design and Engineering

254 nm UVC lamps are designed in basically three different glass types including: 

• Soft Glass

• Fused Quartz

• Synthetic Fused Quartz

Soft glass provides a lower-cost option for powerful UVC germicidal lamps that transmit UVC radiation at 254 nm only.  

Fused Quartz is available in two types, “L” for low ozone emission or “VH” for very high ozone emissions. “L” fused quartz 254 nm UV lamps by LightSources are designed to emit up to 90% of the UVC energy at 254 nm.  VH lamps can emit both 185nm and 254nm with custom engineering available to splice both L and VH ratios to meet specific germicidal requirements. 

Synthetic fused quartz lamps provide superior UV transmission at 185nm for very high ozone-producing applications. 

LightSources offers both 185nm and 254nm UV lamps for germicidal applications worldwide as a leading global supplier of UVC sterilization lamp solutions.

LightSources is an industry-leading provider of quality UV lamps for surface, water, and air purification systems.  We offer UVC lamps for UV robots and a wide range of applications that require 254nm UVC technology.  Contact us to learn more about our standard and custom-designed options for 254 nm UV lamps.