Does UV Light Kill Candida Auris?

 Candida Auris is a formidable fungal pathogen that poses a serious threat to healthcare facilities worldwide. As a resilient organism capable of causing severe infections, it is crucial to explore effective methods of eradicating it from surfaces.

Surface Sterilization: Harnessing the Power of UV Light to Combat Candida Auris

In recent years, the use of UV light has gained attention as a potential solution for combating this elusive fungus. One question that many healthcare professionals want to know is, does UV light kill Candida Auris? There are several scientific studies and evidence that explore Candida auris and the application of germicidal UV lamps for surface sterilization.

Understanding Candida Auris and its Spread

It is essential to understand the nature of Candida Auris and its mode of transmission to understand the most effective application of UV light to kill this harmful pathogen. Candida Auris primarily spreads through contaminated surfaces in healthcare settings. It can survive for extended periods on various surfaces, including medical equipment, furniture, and hospital room fixtures.

Candida auris is recognized as an emerging fungus that poses a significant global health risk to people worldwide. There are three primary reasons why the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, is concerned about C. auris:

·        It is frequently multidrug-resistant, which indicates that it is resistant to numerous antifungal medicines, which are often used to treat infections caused by Candida. There are some strains that show resistance to all three kinds of antifungals that are now accessible.

 

·        It is challenging to identify using ordinary laboratory methods, and incorrect identification may occur in laboratories that do not have specific technology. A misunderstanding of this circumstance could result in incorrect management.

 

·        Candida Auris has been responsible for outbreaks throughout many medical facilities. Because of this, it is essential to conduct a speedy diagnosis of C. auris in a patient who is currently being treated in a healthcare facility so that these facilities may take additional safety measures to prevent the infection from spreading.

The Power of UV Germicidal Lamps

Germicidal UV lamps have been widely used for disinfection purposes due to their ability to inactivate a broad range of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. UV-C light, with a wavelength range of 200-280 nanometers, is particularly effective in destroying the DNA and RNA of these pathogens, rendering them unable to replicate.

Scientific Evidence on UV Light and Candida Auris

Several studies have investigated the efficacy of UV light in eradicating Candida Auris. One notable study published by the National Institute of Health concludes that C Auris can effectively be killed with UV light surface sterilization, with the density of the C Auris, and the distance and time of UVC exposure strongly influencing the efficacy of UVC treatment to kill this harmful fungal pathogen. The researchers concluded that UV light can be a valuable tool in preventing the transmission of Candida Auris in healthcare environments.

Application of UV Light for Surface Sterilization

UV light can be applied for surface sterilization in various healthcare settings, including hospital rooms, operating theaters, and medical equipment. UV Germicidal lamps can be strategically installed to target high-touch surfaces, such as bed rails, door handles, and tables. By implementing regular UV disinfection cycles, healthcare facilities can significantly reduce the presence of Candida Auris and other pathogens.

In the battle against Candida Auris, surface sterilization plays a vital role in preventing its transmission within healthcare settings. UV light, particularly UV-C irradiation from germicidal UV lamps, has demonstrated effectiveness in eradicating Candida Auris on surfaces. By harnessing the power of UVC light for surface sterilization, healthcare facilities can enhance their infection control measures and protect patients from this resilient fungal pathogen.

 

UV Lighting: History and Uses

Ultraviolet (UV) light means “beyond violet,” as violet is the highest frequency of light visible to the human eye. The electromagnetic spectrum of light that the human eye can detect is in the range of 380 to 700 nanometers (nm). UV lighting has a shorter wavelength and a higher frequency than visible violet light. 

UV light was first discovered by German physicist Johann Ritter in 1801 when he discovered that invisible light rays darkened paper soaked in silver chloride faster than visible light

UVA, UVB, UVC and Far UVC 

Ultraviolet UV lighting can be categorized into three different areas known as:

UVA – this is the longest wavelength of UV light and is emitted between 320 to 400 nm.   UVA is the least carcinogenic wavelength but still contributes to sunburns and skin cancer.

UVB – light emitted in the wavelength range of 280 to 320 nm is considered UVB. It is more carcinogenic than UVA, however, only about 5% of this light reaches the earth’s surface.

UVC – this is the shortest wavelength of UV light in the range of 100 to 280 nm. UVC light, when emitted from the sun, is the shortest wavelength of light and is completely absorbed by the ozone layer, thus never reaching the earth.  UVC lights are designed to emit UVC radiation, mostly for germicidal applications.

Each category of UV lighting has very useful purposes for many industries and applications. UVA and UVB light are common in many medical phototherapy lamps. UVC light has been known for over a century to possess highly effective sterilization and disinfection properties, particularly at 254 nm.

Far UVC lamps are becoming more popular as they are designed to emit wavelengths close to 222nm, which is found to provide the similar germicidal efficacy to 254 nm lamps while being safe to use in occupied spaces.

UVC Germicidal Lamps

UV lamps designed to emit UVC radiation in the range of 254 nm are used in many germicidal applications, such as UV air purification systems, UV water disinfection, and UV sterilization of surfaces. 

UV Air Purification

UVC lamps have been used for decades to disinfect and remove harmful contaminants from the air, including dust mites, mold spores, viruses, bacteria, fungi, and other harmful airborne microorganisms. UV C air sterilization has a long history of improving indoor air quality and preventing various airborne diseases, as reported by the National Library of Medicine, The History of Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation for Air Disinfection.

Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) is used in air purification systems such as Upper Room UVGI and HVAC systems. 

Upper room UVGI systems are designed to disinfect air above occupied spaces in wall or ceiling-mounted UVGI fixtures.  UVC lamps in HVAC systems also disinfect air as it passes through furnaces and AC units to remove harmful airborne contaminants and protect equipment against the buildup of mold and fungi. 

UV Water Disinfection 

UVC lamps provide a highly effective, cost-efficient, and safe alternative to chemical water treatment. UVC lamps are found in many water disinfection systems, such as wastewater treatment for drinking water and industrial water, life sciences and aquaculture, pool and spa applications, and other water treatment applications. 

UV Surface Sterilization

UVC germicidal lamps are also used in many surface sterilization applications to prevent the presence or buildup of harmful microorganisms on surfaces. UV surface sterilization lamps are used in hospitals and medical applications, restaurants, commercial kitchens, and residential products. 

LightSources is an industry-leading global supplier of UV lighting solutions and UV germicidal lamps used in these processes and other germicidal applications. 

UV Medical Phototherapy Lamps

The history of UV light providing therapeutic effects dates back to the early 1900s, with UVA and UVB lamps providing effective treatment to a variety of skin conditions. Specific medical phototherapy lamps must be used for effective treatment and should be prescribed by a physician and used under a doctor’s care. 

UV Tanning Lamps

Ultraviolet lamps designed for tanning beds typically emit UVA radiation, sometimes with a small percentage of UVB. Tanning lamp manufacturers like LightSources offer various innovative lamp designs and proprietary solutions. 

UV Curing Lamps

UV lamps are used in a variety of industrial processes that require curing various coatings, varnishes, lacquers, adhesives, and inks. UV curing provides many benefits to manufacturers with faster curing than air-dried processes and a higher level of quality. UV curing is used in many applications, such as automotive, electrical, optical, and other industrial applications.  LightSources offers various UV curing lamps, including medium pressure, high pressure, and amalgam curing lamps.

Long Lasting UV Light Bulbs, Applications & Solutions

Ultraviolet (UV) light is commonly associated with the bulbs found in tanning beds, although UV light bulbs have many uses and provide high-tech solutions to a broad range of applications. UV light tubes are often used in tanning beds to emit ultraviolet light, although UV light bulbs can come in many shapes and sizes, in the form of UV light tubes, U-shaped bulbs, and custom-designed lamps.

UV Light Bulbs and the Electromagnetic Spectrum

UV light is a type of electromagnetic radiation that is emitted anywhere between 10 to 400 nanometers (nm) on the electromagnetic spectrum. These are shorter wavelengths than visible light, in between visible light and x-rays. All electromagnetic radiation is considered light, although the human eye can only detect a small portion of this radiation which occurs when light is emitted between 380 to 700 nm. This is called visible light.

Visible white light is actually made up of a rainbow of colors with shorter wavelengths of 380 – 400 nm violet in color and longer wavelengths of 650 – 700 nm red in color. UV light is closer to the shorter wavelengths of visible light at 380-400 nm; therefore, UV light is “beyond violet.” Learn more about the electromagnetic spectrum and UV radiation.

UV light is further broken down into three categories of UVA, UVB, and UVC light. Each one of these types of UV radiation is created when manufacturing various types of UV light bulbs for use in many industries and applications.

Ultraviolet UV Light Bulbs

UV light bulbs are designed, engineered, and developed to provide a variety of solutions to many applications far beyond tanning, with UV lamps designed to provide black light solutions (UVA), medical phototherapy (typically UVB), and germicidal solutions (UVC). UV light tubes are used for these purposes and many others, designed to help the human race in many ways to eliminate the risk of contagious disease, treat various medical conditions, and help a variety of industries with specific UV lighting uses.

Not all UV lamps are created equal, be sure that you use high-quality UV light bulbs in your application by working with a reputable UV lamp supplier.

UV Light Tube and Bulb Applications

There are a large number of industries and applications utilizing the power of UV light. Some of the most common applications include:

Blacklight

Black lights might bring up images of blacklight posters with cool psychedelic patterns, or lighting up the dance floor at nightclubs, although blacklight bulbs provide many high-tech solutions to a wide range of applications. Black lights are used by criminal investigators to highlight bodily fluids, they can identify organic waste, such as to trace the activity of bed bugs, and they can be used to validate currency for fraud detection. These are typically UVA lamps that can also be used in bug zappers and insect traps and are not harmful to humans except in high dosage amounts.

UV Curing

UV lamps are used in many industrial and commercial applications to quickly cure coatings, varnishes, lacquers, glazes, and adhesives. UV curing light bulbs can be high-pressure, medium-pressure, or amalgam lamps and create a photochemical reaction that instantly cures these various coatings. This speeds up industrial applications in many industries, such as automotive, electrical, medical, optical, and industrial applications.

UV Germicidal

UV light bulbs designed to emit ultraviolet radiation in the UVC range, specifically at 254 nm, are proven to provide high germicidal efficacy in many sterilization applications for surfaces, water, and air purification systems. UVC light emitted by the sun is fully absorbed by the ozone layer and does not reach the Earth’s surface, but lighting engineers can replicate this wavelength of radiation to pinpoint the most effective wavelength that inactivates harmful microorganisms.

UVC germicidal lamps penetrate and alter the DNA of harmful cells to prevent replication which renders them harmless and unable to spread disease. UVC germicidal lamps are highly effective at killing many viruses and bacteria and preventing mold and mildew. Several studies show the effectiveness of UVC lamps against SARS-CoV-2, and UVC light is known to eliminate other beta coronaviruses such as MERS and SARS and also other antibiotic-resistant superbugs.

UVC light tubes are designed in a variety of shapes and sizes to meet the germicidal needs of many applications, including Surface Sterilization, Air Sterilization, and Water Purification.

UV Medical Phototherapy Lamps

UV light tubes are used in many medical phototherapy applications to treat a variety of skin disorders, neonatal jaundice, mood and sleep disorders, and other illnesses.

Tanning

Not all tanning UV light bulbs are created equal, and working with an experienced UV tanning lamp supplier provides many advantages. LightSources is a leading global supplier of UV lamps and offers proprietary tanning technologies such as SolGlass®, an innovative glass for effective indoor tanning, and A-Power™ Technology, high-pressure tanning lamps designed to produce peak UVA output while filtering out UVB.

Ozone Lamps

Ozone lamps are UV lamps designed to emit radiation at the specific wavelength of 185 nm, which provides effective oxidation and sterilization power. Ozone has the ability to remove odor and sterilize the air and water.

Protecting UV Light Tubes with Quartz Sleeves

Quartz sleeves are a smart investment and protect UV light tubes in a variety of applications. Quartz sleeves can be designed to protect custom sizes of UV light bulbs and provide benefits in any application, including surface, water, and air purification systems.

LightSources: Leading Supplier of UV Light Bulbs

LightSources is a leading global supplier of UV light bulbs custom-designed to provide specific OEM-oriented solutions. We offer high-tech UV lamp solutions to a wide range of industries and applications worldwide. Our team of UV lighting engineers possess deep technical knowledge of UV radiation and offer custom design and engineering, including custom phosphor plans to meet specific wavelength emission requirements.

Where Is UV Light on the Electromagnetic Spectrum?

Electromagnetic energy travels in waves and covers a very wide spectrum from short gamma rays to long radio waves, with x-rays, visible light, and UV light in between. Only a small portion of this electromagnetic spectrum is visible light that the human eye can detect. An x-ray machine detects a different portion of the spectrum, and a radio detects yet another portion of this spectrum. 

People use electromagnetic energy every day, when they send a text message, watch television, listen to the radio, or use a microwave oven. The world as we know it would not exist without electromagnetic energy.

UV Light and Visible Light

Ultraviolet (UV) light is actually not visible to the human eye, with shorter wavelengths than visible light. Visible light can be seen at wavelengths measuring from about 400 to 700 nm, with 400 nm light being purple or violet in color. UV light is emitted in shorter wavelengths in the range of 100 to 400 nm, closest to the violet color on the visible spectrum, thus is coined beyond violet, or ultraviolet.

UVA, UVB, & UVC

Ultraviolet radiation has many practical uses and provides many benefits to industries and applications to help the human race.  Ultraviolet light is further broken down into three categories, UVA, UVB, and UVC light.  UVC is the shortest wavelength and, when emitted from the sun, is completely absorbed by the ozone layer, although it is proven to provide powerful germicidal properties. 

Scientists and lighting engineers replicate UVC radiation when manufacturing UVC bulbs that provide powerful germicidal properties in many environments, including air disinfection, surface, and water sterilization. UVB lamps are commonly used in many medical phototherapy applications, bringing relief to a wide range of people suffering from skin disorders, acne, psoriasis, and eczema, and also helping people with mood disorders and depression. UVA lamps are also useful in medical phototherapy applications and are also the commonly known black light. Black lights do much more than illuminate psychedelic posters, they help crime scene investigators identify organic material and bodily fluids and help prevent fraud with currency validation.

No matter what type of UV light bulbs you require, working with a reputable UV lamp manufacturer is the best way to ensure quality lamps, as not all UV lamps are created equal.

LightSources is recognized as a leading global supplier of UV light bulbs with a wide selection of standard shapes and sizes and custom options available, including UV light tubes, U-shaped lamps, and custom designs. Contact us to learn more about the many UV lamp solutions we provide with high-quality, and high-tech UV lamp engineering.

How UV Light Kills Bacteria on Surfaces

Killing bacteria with UV light is a highly effective method of improving health and safety with reliable sterilization and disinfection of many surfaces. Ultraviolet (UV) light is emitted from the sun in basically three different wavelengths, either UVA, UVB, or UVC. UVC is shortwave radiation that is entirely absorbed by the ozone layer. It is these UVC radiation wavelengths, measured in nanometers at the most effective 254 nm wavelength, which eliminates many types of bacteria and viruses. UVC light emitted at 185 nm produces ozone.

UVC germicidal lamp engineers replicate 185 nm UVC radiation for ozone lamps and 254 nm UVC radiation for many other types of effective sterilization lamps. UVC lamps are used in sterilization systems to disinfect surfaces, water, and air with high efficacy and many benefits.

What Types Of Surfaces Can You Disinfect with UVC Lamps?

UVC lamps are beneficial in almost any environment on many types of surfaces. Because surfaces need direct exposure to UVC lamps, when they are already cleaned with manual cleaning methods UVC energy is better absorbed. This is why UVC lamps provide a safety net with additional measures to ensure disinfection when used in conjunction with manual cleaning methods especially in environments like hospitals and medical care facilities.

UVC lamps are being utilized to disinfect surfaces in a wide range of environments such as residential homes, industrial operations, and commercial properties in public places. UVC lamps have been used for decades to sterilize surfaces and hospitals such as surgical equipment and operating rooms as well as patient rooms especially those known to have contracted a serious infection. Germicidal lamps are proven to eliminate bacteria called superbugs. UVC lamps effectively eliminate many types of superbugs like MRSA, C., Diff., E.Coli, Salmonella and many others making them a great addition to hospital sterilization methods

UVC robots are becoming more popular as they provide effective sterilization after manual cleaning crews have left a patient room and can reach many places missed by manual cleaning methods.

UVC lamps are beneficial to sterilize surfaces in many environments such as:

• Hospitals

• Restaurants

• Food irradiation

• Industrial commercial properties

• Schools

• Libraries

• Public transportation systems

• Residential homes

UVC germicidal lamps provide high efficacy up to 99.9999% elimination of bacteria and viruses, are low maintenance without the need to purchase, store or dispose of harmful chemicals and leave no hazardous byproduct. The quality of UVC germicidal lamps makes a difference in the efficacy and lifetime performance.

LightSources offers a wide range of UVC germicidal lamp solutions to meet disinfection requirements of various surface sterilization systems. Our UVC lamps are used to sterilize surfaces, air and water in a number of disinfection applications worldwide. Contact us to learn more about our high-performance, long-lasting, innovative UVC germicidal lamp solutions.

Does UV Light Kill Covid?

The novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, is the virus that causes COVID-19 and a devastating global pandemic that began in early 2020. As of January 1, 2022, according to the John Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center Global Map, there have been 5,442,655 deaths globally and over 825,982 deaths attributed to COVID-19 in the U.S. alone. Public health systems and economies continue to struggle against the changing variants such as the latest omicron variant which is spreading rapidly.

For more than 100 years, ultraviolet (UV) radiation has been used to disinfect and sterilize many environments, and public health officials are realizing that UV light provides an added layer of protection against infection from many viruses and bacteria, including SARS-CoV-2.

Does UV Light Kill Covid?

According to an article published by the American Journal of infection control, regarding the Susceptibility of SARS-CoV-2 to UV irradiation, published in August 2020, UV light effectively sterilizes a wide range of microorganisms and is an added tool for use in reaction to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. While more research has yet to be completed regarding the exact dosage and exposure time of UVC radiation to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, UVC sterilization systems are proven to eliminate other coronaviruses in the same beta coronavirus family. UVC radiation effectively eliminates the viruses that cause MERS and SARS, other respiratory outbreaks caused by a coronavirus.

A recent article published in Medical Life-Sciences, explains how UVC sterilization systems can be an extra layer of defense against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. UVC sterilization systems can be utilized in many public places including hospitals, restaurants, hotels, airports, universities, public transportation systems and more. 

Exposure to UVC radiation can harm the skin and eyes.  These systems such as UVC robots should be used without direct exposure to human contact and under the advice of a professional with correct UVC disinfection systems properly installed for maximum efficacy and operation.

LightSources is a leading global supplier of UV lamps and lighting solutions including UVC germicidal lamps for air sterilization, surface and water disinfection applications. We offer OEM oriented solutions with custom lamp designs, prototype development, a strict quality policy and quick turnaround time. Contact us to learn more about our UVC germicidal lamp solutions proven in sterilization systems worldwide.

How Phototherapy Helps Eczema

According to the National Eczema Association, eczema refers to a group of skin conditions that cause different symptoms such as itchiness, inflammation, and dry patches of skin. Eczema is quite common with more than 31 million people in the U.S. having some type of eczema. There are seven different types of eczema which include:

1. Atopic dermatitis

2. Contact dermatitis

3. Nummular eczema

4. Neurodermatitis

5. Seborrheic dermatitis

6. Stasis dermatitis

7. Dyshidrotic eczema

Eczema can appear any time from childhood to adulthood with symptoms ranging from mild to severe. The exact cause of eczema is unknown although we do know that it is not contagious and seems to develop from a combination of environmental triggers and genes.

One common treatment for eczema is light therapy, which can help to reduce symptoms of itchiness and inflammation in children and adults.

What to Expect with Phototherapy for Eczema?

Patients find relief with light therapy for eczema which should be prescribed by your doctor with specialized UV phototherapy lamps. Phototherapy lamps emit either UVA or UVB wavelengths with narrowband UVB proven effective to treat eczema. Phototherapy lamps can be used to treat just certain areas or the entire body where patients would stand in an enclosed area with protective eyewear while being exposed to phototherapy lamps. 

Sometimes a cream or lotion can be applied prior to UV exposure, or medication called psoralen may be used in combination with UVA treatments to provide better results. It may take a month or two of regular visits to see an improvement, although some patients can experience remission and reduce the number of visits. 

Many people with eczema experience flare-ups during fall and winter with less sun exposure. For those patients with improved skin conditions during the summer months, light therapy is more likely to provide positive results.

Phototherapy Lamps for Eczema

Be sure to use high-quality light therapy lamps for any type of phototherapy treatment. LightSources is a leading global supplier of high quality UV lamps found worldwide in a wide range of applications such as medical phototherapy treatment, UVC germicidal applications, and more. We are an ISO 9001:2015 registered company offering OEM oriented solutions with prototype development, quick turnaround time, and custom-designed UV lamp solutions from the top UV lighting engineers in the industry.

LightSources offers a wide selection of high quality UV lamps found in air purification, water sterilization and surface disinfection applications worldwide. We offer custom-designed UVC lamps and phototherapy lamps, providing solutions to OEMs of all sizes. Contact us to learn more about our UV lamp solutions.

How to Select a Light Therapy Box for Seasonal Depression

According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, seasonal depression that occurs during fall and winter months due to a lack of sunlight affects approximately 4 to 6% of people. Seasonal Affective Disorder, also called SAD, can affect another 10 to 20% of people and is four times more likely to occur in women than in men. SAD is also more common in northern locations such as Washington state as opposed to a more southern and sunny state like Florida.

Light therapy with a medical phototherapy lamp, also called a light therapy box, can help to alleviate some symptoms of seasonal depression although can be more effective when combined with additional treatments such as psychotherapy and antidepressant medication.

How Light Therapy Treatment for Depression Works

Light therapy boxes mimic outdoor sunlight, which is believed to cause a chemical change in the brain that eases symptoms of seasonal depression and lifts your mood. Generally, a light therapy box should emit as little UV light as possible and should provide an exposure to 10,000 lux of light.

Recommendations for using light therapy include:

• Using for about 20 to 30 minutes within the first hour of waking up

• Have your eyes open but do not look directly at the light

• Keep the lamp a distance of 16 to 24 inches away from your face

Light therapy boxes are designed with special medical phototherapy lamps. Some people might think that a tanning bed provides the same benefit although this is not true. Tanning bed lamps are quite different and are known to increase the risk of skin cancer. While light therapy for seasonal depression is not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, FDA, they are designed to be safe and effective.

Your doctor can help to recommend a specific type of light therapy box, although you can buy one without a prescription and most health insurance plans will not cover the cost.

Considerations When Choosing a Light Therapy Box

It is best to speak with your doctor about your symptoms and for help in choosing the right type of light therapy treatment. For people with bipolar disorder, too much exposure could induce manic symptoms. People with eye conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, or eye damage from diabetes should speak with their eye doctor before beginning phototherapy.

When choosing a light therapy box make sure that it is specifically designed to treat seasonal depression. Many medical phototherapy lamps are designed to treat skin disorders such as acne, eczema, psoriasis, and vitiligo. Medical therapy lamps designed for skin conditions are not the same as lamps designed for depression.  Tanning lamps and UVC germicidal lamps are also not designed with the same wavelength and can cause harm instead of benefits if used incorrectly. 

LightSources is a leading global supplier of UV lamp solutions including medical phototherapy lamps. We provide high-tech, custom designed and engineered lamps for a wide range of applications and industries, including phototherapy. Contact us for high-quality UV lamp solutions including light therapy lamps for seasonal depression.