UVC Lamp Uses and Options

Many germicidal applications today feature UVC lamp technology, as UVC light is proven to have powerful germ-killing properties. 

UVC Lamp Design and Engineering 

UVC lamps are ultraviolet (UV) lamps that are manufactured to emit UV light at a specific wavelength, measured in nanometers (nm). Ultraviolet light consists primarily of three bands of electromagnetic radiation, UVA, UVB, and UVC. UVC light is emitted in the range of 100 to 280 nm, with shorter wavelengths than UVA (315-400 nm) and UVB (280-315 nm) light.  

When emitted from the sun, the majority of UV light that reaches the Earth’s surface is in the UVA range, with some in the UVB range, and UVC radiation is completely absorbed by the ozone layer. Germicidal UVC lamp manufacturers design, engineer, and manufacture UVC lamps to emit electromagnetic radiation in a specific wavelength to meet application requirements. 

UVC Lamp Germicidal Applications

UVC light is proven to have highly effective germicidal properties, killing many types of bacteria and viruses, as well as preventing mold and mildew. This makes UVC lamps a very important part of many types of disinfection and sterilization systems used in residential, commercial, and industrial applications. 

UVC Lamps for Air Purification

UVC lamps are used in UV air sterilization systems in just about any setting to improve indoor air quality and prevent the transmission of harmful airborne germs. UV air sterilization systems protect the health of people in many environments, including residential homes, hospitals and medical facilities, schools, restaurants, public transportation systems, and more.

UVC Lamps for Surface Sterilization

Many UV surface sterilization systems feature UVC lamp technology to prevent the buildup of harmful germs in places like commercial kitchens and laboratories.  UVC lamps are commonly used to protect patients in hospitals and operating rooms and to disinfect medical devices. 

UVC Lamps for Water Disinfection

UVC lamp technology is used in many water disinfection applications and provides safe and efficient germicidal effectiveness. UVC lamps are proven to eliminate some harmful germs in water that chlorine cannot, such as Cryptosporidium and Giardia. Germicidal UVC lamps for water disinfection provide many advantages over chemical use alone.

UVC Lamp Types

UVC 185nm Ozone Lamps

UVC light in the range of 185 nm produces ozone, which is an effective sanitizer and deodorizer. Ozone lamps are used in a variety of air and water purification systems. Ozone lamps for air purification have the advantage of producing UVC radiation that does not require direct line-of-sight exposure for germicidal effectiveness.  Ozone can reach places that other UVC lamps cannot and are effective at eliminating foul odor in the air and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). 

UVC 254 nm Disinfection Lamps

UVC lamps designed to emit 254 nm are the most common types of UVC germicidal lamps used in a variety of disinfection systems, including air, surface, and water. UVC light at 254 nm quickly eliminates many bacteria and viruses by penetrating the cells and altering the DNA to prevent cell replication. UVC light at 254 nm is proven to eliminate many types of bacteria and viruses, although the correct type of UVC lamp must be used at the right dosage to meet the requirements for specific pathogens. UVC light is proven to eliminate many antibiotic-resistant superbugs and many viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.

The rate of effectiveness at killing various types of bacteria and viruses depends on the type of microorganism, the intensity of the UVC lamp, and the duration of exposure.

222 nm Excimer Lamps

UVC light in the range near 222 nm, also called Far UVC, is becoming more popular for many germicidal applications. Far UVC lamps are proven to have many similar sterilization properties as 254 nm lamps, although they can be safer for human exposure under the right conditions.

UVC Lamp Custom Design and Manufacturing

LightSources is a world-leading UVC lamp manufacturer, offering high-tech lamp designers and engineers with in-depth knowledge of UV radiation.  We offer a wide range of UVC lamps used in many germicidal applications and custom design and engineering, including prototype development.

This blog post appeared originally here

UV Light Disinfection Effectiveness, Safety, and Lamp Types

UV light disinfection has been around for decades and is a proven effective method to eliminate germs with the use of a UV disinfection lamp.

What Is a UV Disinfection Lamp?

UV lights for disinfecting are used for various disinfection applications to reduce pathogens such as bacteria and viruses. UV disinfection lighting also prevents mold and mildew, which helps to prevent foul odor caused by mold spores or bacteria. UV light disinfection provides a no-touch, chemical-free method of killing many types of harmful germs in the air, on surfaces, and in water.

How Effective Is UV Light Disinfection?

UVC radiation has been proven highly effective in reducing the spread of many types of viruses and bacteria, such as tuberculosis. A UV disinfection lamp is often called a “germicidal” lamp for this reason. Since the onset of the most recent COVID-19 global pandemic that started in 2020, many people have wanted to know if UV disinfection lighting kills the virus that causes COVID-19. According to the Food and Drug Administration, FDA, the UVC radiation found in quality UV disinfection lamps has been shown to destroy the outer protein coating of the SARS-coronavirus, which is a different variation from the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19.

Research is ongoing to determine the effectiveness of UV light disinfection against the SARS-CoV-2 virus, and many studies show positive results.  UVC radiation has been proven to be highly effective at eliminating various pathogens. As reported in a study issued by Biological Consulting Services, the following harmful pathogens were effectively eliminated with a UV light disinfectant:

• Polio Virus LSc 1 – 99.99% reduction
• Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) – 99.99 reduction
• Influenza A H1N1 – 99.999% reduction
• Salmonella species, 6 variations – 99.99% reduction
• SARS-CoV-2 virus – 99.999% reduction

UV light disinfection is proven highly effective in eliminating these harmful pathogens and many others. It is important to work with an experienced UVC disinfection lamp manufacturer to ensure the lamp emits the proper wavelengths for effective disinfection.

Limitations of UV Lights for Disinfecting

To achieve the most reliable disinfection UV light provides, it is important to understand the limitations in the safe handling of a UV disinfection lamp. UVC radiation can only inactivate a pathogen, virus, or bacteria with direct, line-of-sight exposure. Surfaces that contain dust, soil, or bodily fluids may not receive the full amount of inactivation of pathogens as the contaminated surface can block full exposure of the disinfection lamp.

Direct exposure

In addition to the requirement for direct exposure, the dosage and duration of exposure to UVC radiation can vary depending on the surface area and the type of virus or bacteria. Many UV disinfection lamps sold for home use are designed to emit a very low dose of UVC radiation which could take even longer to potentially inactivate pathogens.

Safety concerns

Direct exposure to UV disinfection lamps can also cause harm to human skin and eyes. A UV disinfection lamp should not be used in the direct vicinity of human exposure due to these safety concerns. This is one reason why UV disinfection lamps are often used inside air ducts and HVAC systems to purify the air and eliminate harmful airborne germs without risking harmful exposure to humans.

Using UV disinfection lighting in air vents and HVAC systems is a common and safe way for many people and businesses to experience the benefits of UVC germicidal radiation without any of the risks. Disinfection UV light installed in HVAC systems provides many benefits, which include:

• Purifies and improves indoor air quality
• Sterilizes and eliminates viruses, bacteria, and mold
• Provides 99.99% surface disinfection
• Improves efficiency of HVAC equipment
• Disinfects coils in the drain pan
• No touch, no chemical disinfection

Air disinfection UV light systems are one of the most effective ways to reduce the risk of exposure to harmful airborne pathogens.

Not all UV lights for disinfecting are created in the same way, and effective UVC germicidal lamps must emit a very specific wavelength. 254 nm lamps have been the standard wavelength for germicidal effectiveness, although far UVC 222 nm lamps are gaining in popularity due to many advantages. Far UVC, Excimer lamps provide the same germicidal effectiveness, if not greater, in some applications while causing less damage to skin and eyes.

This blog post appeared originally here