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.

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.

UVC Lamps Help Hospitals with Effective Sterilization

 

Hospitals provide critical care to people with serious illness whether emergency treatment, diagnostic services, or ongoing care for chronic illness.  Due to the nature of the typical patient, hospitals must be vigilant in sterilizing surfaces and protecting patients from infection.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that on any given day an estimated one out of every 31 patients in the U.S. contract a Healthcare Acquired Infection (HAI) from their stay in a hospital. 

Patients who enter a room following a patient that had an infection such as the influenza virus and even drug resistant superbugs like MRSA run a high risk of contracting an HAI.  

UV Lamps in HVAC and Air Purification Systems

Many illnesses can be transmitted through airborne particles such as tuberculosis and many influenza viruses.  UVC lamps in air purification systems play an important role in sterilizing the air making it healthier for patients and staff.  UV lamps can be installed in upper room UVGI (ultraviolet germicidal irradiation) systems or directly into HVAC systems for automatic purification.  Some systems can be designed to come on when a patient leaves the restroom, for example, while others are always working behind the scenes in furnaces and AC units.  

UVC Germicidal Lamps for Surface Sterilization

UVC lamps provide highly effective sterilization in air, water, and surface sterilization systems.  There are many ways to reap the benefits of surface sterilization with systems like UVC robots and UVC lamps that directly disinfect critical areas like surgical rooms.  UVC lamps are also used to disinfect and keep surgical equipment clean.  UVC robots are being deployed in hospitals as well as other public places to work autonomously with high rates of efficacy. 

LightSources Leading UVC Lamp Supplier for Hospital Disinfection Systems

LightSources is a leading global supplier of UVC germicidal lamps found in sterilization systems in hospitals and the healthcare industry.  Our UVC lamps are designed and engineered by the leading high-tech lamp designers in the industry with proprietary technology.  We offer a wide selection of germicidal lamp products as well as custom designed solutions and prototype development. 

LightSources supports OEMs of all sizes with the following germicidal lamp products:

• Low pressure amalgam lamps

• Low pressure mercury lamps

• Quartz sleeves

• MPUV technology

• Electronic ballasts

We offer these types of germicidal UV lamps and others to meet your sterilization needs.  We provide custom solutions with custom phosphor blends to meet your exact specifications. Our UVC germicidal lamps are found worldwide in air, water and surface sterilization systems including hospital UV disinfection systems. 

LightSources offers high-quality UVC germicidal lamps proven to deliver high efficacy and long-lasting performance.  We offer custom solutions and prototype development with quick turn-around time.  Contact us to learn more about our many lamp solutions for UVC germicidal systems for hospital disinfection. 

UV Light Keeps Kitchens and Restaurants Cleaner

 

Restaurants have been finding innovative ways to keep patrons safe from germs while keeping their doors open. Ultraviolet (UV) light and the powerful germicidal benefits of UVC energy is nothing new, although restaurant owners are taking notice of the many ways this germicidal technology can help their business. UVC lamps are part of many systems worldwide such as air purification systems, water disinfection systems and surface sterilization systems.

Where UVC Lamps Help Restaurants

High intensity UVC lamps have proven efficacy in eliminating a wide range of harmful pathogens including viruses, bacteria, mildew, and mold. This germicidal technology can be harnessed in various systems to protect food directly in addition to protecting surfaces, water, and the air in enclosed spaces. Here are some of the most popular areas of installing UV sterilization lamps for restaurants and food service applications:

Food irradiation - The short wave electromagnetic energy has powerful sterilization effects, keeping food safe with UV germicidal irradiation. UV lamps can help to keep food fresher, longer, and prevent early spoilage as well as preventing many harmful germs like E. Coli and Salmonella.

Kitchen hood exhaust systems – UV energy has the ability to prevent the buildup of grease in commercial kitchen hoods. This mitigates fire risk, reduces equipment maintenance, and prevents foul odors that can occur from grease buildup.

Keep walk-in freezers clean – UV lamps prevent mold and mildew from forming in cool, damp places like walk-in freezers which is critically important to storing fresh food and meeting health code regulations.

Air sterilization in eating areas – sterilizing the air that circulates through a restaurant’s HVAC system helps to keep patrons safer with cleaner, purified air. UV lamps in HVAC systems keep the air cleaner by eliminating airborne pathogens and removing foul odors from the air.

UVC Lamps for Restaurants and Kitchens

LightSources is a leading supplier of UVC germicidal lamps found in UV sterilization systems worldwide. We offer a wide selection of germicidal lamps including:


Low pressure mercury lamps

Medium pressure UV lamps (MPUV)

Amalgam lamps with proprietary technology

High intensity UV lamps

Specialty UV lamps

Customizable lamp design solutions

Prototype solutions

LightSources offers quality UVC germicidal lamps engineered with proprietary technology that outlasts and outperform comparable lamps.

LightSources employs the leading, high-tech UV lamp engineers in the industry with deep technical knowledge of UV radiation and lamp design. We follow a strict quality policy as part of our ISO9001:2015 registration and provide quick turn-around time to meet your production schedules. Contact us to learn more about how our high-quality germicidal lamps can improve your restaurant and kitchen UV sterilization systems.

Do UV Lamps Kill the SARS-CoV-2 Virus That Causes COVID-19?

 

Ultraviolet (UV) light is a type of electromagnetic radiation that has more energy than visible light but less energy than x-rays and gamma rays. UV light from the sun is replicated in UV lamps for things like tanning beds and disinfection applications. UV light is broken down into different spectrums mainly UVA, UVB and UVC light. 

UVC light is the wavelength with germicidal effectiveness and is mostly absorbed by the Earth’s ozone layer before it reaches the ground. UVC germicidal lamps are designed to emit wavelengths at the optimal nanometer to kill germs which is typically 254 nm or 185 nm for ozone lamps.  According to the study Upper-room ultraviolet air disinfection might help to reduce COVID-19 transmission in buildings: a feasibility study by the National Institutes of Health, several studies have demonstrated that the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 is relatively easily inactivated by UVC disinfection lamps similar to other airborne coronaviruses.  Additionally, conclusions from this study state that Upper Room Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI) with UV light at 254 nm has the potential to inhibit the transmission of COVID especially in confined places like hospital rooms or public places or anywhere that achieving a high ventilation rate is not practical.

UVC Germicidal Lamps That Kill the New Coronavirus

For more than 35 years, LightSources has followed their vision of offering global OEM solutions with innovative lamp design, engineering and manufacturing, state-of-the-art technology, and unparalleled customer support.  LightSources and our affiliated companies provide solutions to a multitude of applications and industries worldwide with lamp designers and engineers possessing deep technical knowledge of ultraviolet radiation.  We offer customized solutions to meet your needs with custom phosphor blends and proprietary technology that enhances lamp performance and prolongs lamp life.

LightSources offers a wide selection of germicidal lamps including low pressure, medium pressure, standard and high-output and proprietary Amalgam technology. We follow a strict quality policy as part of our ISO9001:2015 certification and offer full customer support.  Contact us to speak with an engineer about our germicidal UVC lamps to fight COVID-19. 

UV Lamps in HVAC Systems Fight Spread of Disease

 

The use of ultraviolet (UV) light in disinfecting and sterilizing surfaces is gaining as part of the fight against the spread of the novel coronavirus and to control health acquired infections (HAIs) in hospitals. HAIs are a serious problem for hospitals, especially when stretched at capacity and short on staff.  Even prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, nearly 1 in 25 patients were estimated to contract an HAI from a hospital stay, some with dire consequences. Protecting patients and staff against HAIs including drug-resistant bacteria and serious viruses with effective hospital disinfection is top priority for hospitals and healthcare facilities. 

Nearly everything that is in a hospital room from all the surfaces to airborne particles, medical equipment and the clothing and hands of healthcare workers can serve as a reservoir and vector for transmitting opportunistic pathogens.  While contaminated surfaces and insufficient hand hygiene are the primary modes of transmission, water and air supply systems also provide a mode of transmitting harmful pathogens.

UVC HVAC Air Purification Systems

While maintaining regular cleaning and manual disinfection practices is crucial in hospitals, along with proper hand hygiene, germicidal UVC lamps in moving air applications are proven to disinfect and purify the air. Ultraviolet Devices, Inc, UVDI, offers HVAC air disinfection and purification systems with advanced UV technology. UV air disinfection eliminates viruses and bacteria with a kill rate up to 99% and UV air purification destroys volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and foul odors.

UV moving air applications include two basic systems for UVGI as a supplemental air cleaning measure:

Upper room air irradiation – UVGI lamps are wall mounted above an occupant’s level, usually 8 feet above the floor and irradiate the airflow in the room.  Upper room UVGI has been used in tuberculosis wards to inactivate TB and is also effective in patient rooms, emergency rooms, waiting rooms, hallways and anywhere patients could potentially spread airborne germs.

HVAC Duct Irradiation – UVC germicidal lamps placed inside HVAC and air handler ducts disinfect recirculated or outside air. UVC lamps in air handling units effectively eliminate microscopic organisms that are too small to filter yet are easily disinfected with UV light.

LightSources offers high-quality UVC lamps found in UV sterilization systems for hospitals including air disinfection UVGI mounted, HVAC and portable systems  Our UVC robot lamps are helping hospitals to improve patient and staff safety and prevent the spread of disease with effective surface sterilization.

LightSources provides UV lamp solutions to OEMs of all sizes, with high-quality UV lamps custom designed to meet your exact specifications. Our UVC germicidal lamps are found in water, air and surface sterilization systems worldwide. Contact us to speak with an engineer about our many UVC germicidal lamp solutions.  

Does Ultraviolet Radiation Kill the COVD-19 Virus?

 

Ultraviolet radiation is proven to kill viruses and bacteria and there have been many questions about the efficacy of UV light killing the novel coronavirus.  The current pandemic with the outbreak of COVID-19 is caused by the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, and people want to know if they can purchase UV lights for their home to help protect themselves and their family with effective sterilization.  Hospitals have been using UVC lamps in surface sterilization devices and UVC robots to further sterilize patient rooms and surfaces.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, FDA, answers your questions about UV Lights and Lamps: Ultraviolet-C Radiation, Disinfection, and Coronavirus. 

UVC Radiation and the SARS-CoV-2 Coronavirus

UVC radiation is proven to destroy the SARS-Coronavirus, which is a different coronavirus than what causes COVID-19.  SARS-CoV-2 is the virus that causes COVID-19 and given the newness of the virus there are many ongoing research studies to verify accurate dosage of UVC exposure including exposure duration and distance, which is key to effective sterilization with germicidal UVC lamps. 

Studies like this one by Boston University are showing promise with results that show a 99% reduction of the SARS-CoV-2 virus when UVC radiation is dosed at the right level.  This study shows that UV light will deactivate the coronavirus in 6 seconds when dosed at 5 mJ/cm2.  Another study conducted by Biological Consulting Services in Feb.2020, shows effective elimination of SARS-CoV-2 virus and many other stubborn microorganisms in UVGI irradiation with 99.99% effectiveness with 15 minutes of exposure.  With surface sterilization at direct exposure and UVGI air irradiation, hospitals can significantly improve the health of patients and prevent the spread of disease. 

Hospitals using UVC light to eliminate the spread of disease and consumers wishing to purchase UVC lamps to sterilize surfaces at home must remember that direct exposure is key.  UVC radiation will only kill microorganisms that are directly exposed to the UVC radiation emissions.  Inactivation of the virus on surfaces will not be as effective if blocked by shadows, dust, soil or organic compounds which absorb the UV light and reduce the efficacy of sterilization on the surface. 

LightSources Offers High-Quality UVC Germicidal Lamps

LightSources is a leading global supplier of high-quality, high-tech UVC germicidal lamps found in numerous applications worldwide including hospital UV disinfection devices.  We design, engineer and manufacture UVC germicidal lamps to emit the exact wavelength required for your application needs.  We offer a wide selection of standard output, high-output, compact, specialty, amalgam lamps, ozone lamps and more.  

LightSources is a valuable supplier to OEMs worldwide with quality UVC germicidal lamps for air, water and surface sterilization.  We follow strict quality control procedures as part of our ISO9001:2015 registration, delivery quality lamp products on time.  Contact us to speak with an engineer about how LightSources can improve your supply chain with high-tech UVC germicidal lamps.

Does UV Light Kill Superbugs Like MRSA?

 

Ultraviolet (UV) light is a powerful form of electromagnetic radiation that occurs naturally from the sun and is replicated in UV lamps.  UV light is emitted at wavelengths on the electromagnetic spectrum that fall between X-rays and visible light in the range of 10 to 400 nanometer (nm).  UV light is not visible to the human eye as it has a higher frequency and shorter wavelengths that images our brain can perceive. 

UV light is further broken down into UVA, UVB and UVC, with UVC wavelengths being the most powerful for germ killing action.  UVC light has been recognized for centuries as having powerful germicidal properties.  UVC light emitted at precisely 254 nm is known to quickly eradicate viruses and bacteria by penetrating the cells of microorganisms and altering the DNA to prevent replication.  

A cell that cannot replicate poses no threat and is no longer a harmful pathogen.  UVC germicidal lamps are known to effectively eliminate tough viruses, bacteria, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), even mold, mildew and other harmful microorganisms. UV light is also proven to effectively eliminate some of the toughest superbugs out there like vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), C. difficile, Acinetobacter and Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

Hospitals are using UV light in many types of UV germicidal systems such as in HVAC units for cleaner air and in UVC robots to clean hospital rooms.  UVC radiation is proven effective on superbugs when exposed for the right amount of time, some germs are eradicated in seconds while others require a few minutes of exposure.  

LightSources Offers Effective UVC Germicidal Lamps

LightSources is a world leading supplier of high-quality, high-performance UV lamps including a wide selection of UVC germicidal lamps.  We offer low pressure amalgam lamps, low, medium and high pressure mercury lamps, ozone lamps, soft glass, quartz, and compact lamps.  Consider our quartz sleeves for protection, proprietary technology like Shatter ProTech shatterproof technology or LongLife+™ which extends lamp life up to 16,000 hours. 

LightSources leads the industry with high-tech lamp design and manufacturing including custom lamp engineering to meet your specifications.  We follow a strict quality policy to provide quality products delivered on time.  Contact us to learn more about our UVC germicidal lamp products and technologies. 

How Restaurant Owners Benefit from UV Sterilization

 

Ultraviolet (UV) light has been proven for centuries to eliminate harmful bacteria and viruses and is widely used in many environments and applications for disinfection purposes. UV light sterilization provides overwhelming benefits to many industries, especially restaurants and food preparation facilities. 

Ultraviolet sterilization can be delivered in many ways to protect nearly every single area of a restaurant including food prep countertops, kitchen areas, walk-in freezers, kitchen exhaust hoods, and dining areas. In addition to providing clean surfaces, UV light is used directly on food items in food irradiation which is safe and improves food quality.  UV air purification systems protect patrons from airborne disease and water sterilization ensures clean water free from harmful microorganisms.

Food Irradiation

UV exposure directly to food items is called food irradiation which is completely safe, helps to prevent foodborne illnesses and prolongs food shelf life.  Food irradiation provides many benefits to restaurants such as:

Reduces the risk of foodborne illnesses such as Salmonella, listeria, E. coli and other harmful microorganisms

Extends the shelf life of many food items

Reduces food spoilage

Lowers the risk of importing or exporting pesky insects hidden inside food products

Lessens the need for additives such as antioxidants and preservatives

Lessens the need for pesticides

Reduces early sprouting in potatoes, onions, spices and herbs

UV Surface Sterilization in Restaurants 

UV light sterilization systems provide clean surfaces free from harmful germs, bacteria and viruses simply by emitting UVC light in the right wavelength over countertops and food preparation areas. UV lights can be installed over counters, stoves, food buffets, delis and even walk-in freezers and kitchen hood exhausts.

UV sterilization lamps installed in walk-in freezers help to prevent mold and mildew which can easily occur in cool, damp places. UV lights in kitchen hood exhausts actually help to prevent grease buildup by altering the molecular structure of the grease into components which are more easily cleaned and removed, thus helping to prevent fires.

UV Air Purification Systems in Restaurants

Installing UV air purification systems in HVAC ductwork cleans and sanitizes air circulating through closed in spaces such as restaurant dining areas.  Restaurant owners can provide a healthier dining area for their patrons with clean air, free from airborne contaminants and disease.

LightSources Supports UV Sterilization Systems for Restaurants

LightSources leads the UV germicidal lamp industry with a wide selection of lamps designed for specific sterilization solutions as well as high-tech lamp designers offering custom engineered products. Our lamp engineers are the best in the business with in-depth technical knowledge of UV radiation, lamp design, construction, operation and UV technology.

LightSources supports OEMs worldwide with high-tech, high-quality UVC germicidal lamps. We offer patent protected lamp products and proprietary technology for longer lasting, increased germicidal effectiveness. Contact us to speak with an engineer and learn how to improve your germicidal systems including UVC sterilization for restaurants.

UVC Robots are Disinfecting Hospitals with Germicidal Lamps

 

Current events have drawn attention to the need for greater disinfection and sterilization systems and raised awareness to the benefits of automatic sterilization such as from UVC robots. Ultraviolet (UV) light disinfectant robots are increasing in use in busy, populated areas such as airports, congregation halls and especially in hospitals. UVC robots can eliminate 99.99% of viruses and bacteria in a hospital room in less time than a human can clean the room and with greater effectiveness.  

The UVC radiation emitted from UVC germicidal lamps reaches into corners and crevices, from the ceiling to the baseboards and everything in between without missing a spot that can occur with human cleaning and the possibility of human error. Hospital employees can set the robot up in a patient room and leave the room for about 15 minutes while the robot roams around disinfecting every surface. The employee can come back and simply flip over mattresses and turnover call buttons and leave the room again to run a second cycle.

Hospital acquired infections (HAIs) were already a serious problem before the pandemic of 2020, with nearly 1 in 25 patients in a hospital acquiring an infection due to their stay, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.  Deploying UVC robots in hospitals provides significant protection to patients against contracting superbugs left in the room from previous patients.

LightSources Offers UVC Germicidal Lamps and Components

LightSources and LightTech are leading global suppliers of high-quality UVC germicidal lamps and components found in a multitude of applications worldwide, including UVC robots. The LightSources group is recognized for employing the leading high-tech lighting engineers in the industry, offering custom designed lamps with custom phosphor blends to meet your specifications. 

We follow a strict quality policy as part of our ISO9001:2015 registration and deliver quality products on-time, worldwide.  We have developed several proprietary technologies which deliver first to market products designed with innovative lighting technology for longer-lasting, high-performance UV lamps. We support OEMs of all sizes with quality product, timely delivery, and prototype solutions.

LightSources is committed to delivering high quality, high performance UVC germicidal lamps proven to prevent the spread of harmful pathogens, bacteria, and viruses. We custom design UVC germicidal lamps to meet your specifications with quick turnaround time on prototypes to high volume production. Contact us to speak with an engineer and learn how to improve your UV lamp and component source with high-quality, cost-effective UV lamp solutions.

What Viruses Does UV Light Kill?

 

Many harmful, infectious microorganisms are transmitted by various means such as droplets on surfaces, in the air and through human touch. Tuberculosis, measles, and influenza are all harmful, infectious organisms known to be transmitted between infected people to susceptible persons through shared airspace. Transmission may occur in areas of congregation within the room and also in hallways and through HVAC ductwork.

UV light emitted in the UVC range is known to kill tuberculosis, measles and influenza, and has been established in various medical journals for decades.

Ultraviolet Light Effectively Kills Many Microorganisms

Ultraviolet (UV) light emitted in the UVC wavelength predominately at 253.7 nm is proven to eliminate the threat from harmful viruses and bacteria by instantly altering cell DNA. UV light penetrates the DNA of these cells rendering them unable to replicate or cause infection, thus killing the threat from the virus.  

UV light is proven to have a germicidal effect on the following viruses: 

• Measles
• Smallpox
• Influenza virus
• SARS (SAR-Cov)
• MERS (MERS-Cov)

Microorganisms and bacteria which respond to UV light sterilization:

• Vegetative bacteria
• Staphylococcus aureus including various species:Escherichia coli (E. Coli)
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa
• Serratia marcescens
• Streptococcus pyogenes

Viruses and vegetative bacteria are in general most susceptible to ultraviolet sterilization, followed by additional microorganism groups such as:

• Bacterial spores
• Mycobacteria
• Fungal spores

UVC germicidal lamps are effective in water, surface, and air sterilization, improving the health and wellness of people in many environments. UVC lamps in air handling units and HVAC systems eliminate the threat of airborne viruses with powerful UVC radiation sterilizing the air that flows through your ventilation system. People worldwide are improving the indoor air quality in residential and commercial environments with UV air purification systems.

LightSources is recognized worldwide as a leading global supplier of ultraviolet lamps including high-quality UVC germicidal lamps. We offer a wide selection of UV lamps designed with proprietary technology and custom engineering solutions to meet your specifications. Contact us to learn more and speak to an engineer about your UV light sterilization needs.

How UV Light Sterilization Helps Keep Hospitals Safe

 

Current events happening around the world are raising awareness of the critical care that hospitals provide, the necessity for sterile equipment and the responsibility that hospital administrators feel to provide safe healthcare to their communities.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that Healthcare Acquired Infections affect 31 people every day in the United States. 

UV Light Sterilization in Air Ventilation Systems

Diseases such as tuberculosis, measles and the influenza virus are all known to be spread through the air between infected people and others in a shared space.  Patients who enter a room after a person known to have a transmittable disease are at risk for acquiring infections and worsening their health condition. UV air purification systems are known to eliminate these harmful diseases and many others to protect vulnerable people in hospitals.

UVC Germicidal Lamps Used in Healthcare

UVC germicidal lamps have long been used to sterilize operating equipment and for use in overhead lamps in patient and operating rooms. Low-pressure mercury vapor lamps which emit wavelengths at an effective 253.7 nanometer (nm) are popular in surface and air sterilization applications.  UV sterilization lamps improve indoor air quality (IAQ) in healthcare facilities, hospitals and many public places to protect against the spread of many harmful pathogens. 

UVC sterilization lamps are proven to be highly effective, removing up to 99% of CFU counts in just one month, as reported by Avinash Kulkarni (PhD), Aeropure UV Systems Pvt Ltd, INDIA.  UVC germicidal lamps used in conjunction with an air particulate filter system provide an incremental benefit to improve the air quality and drastically reduce the risk of infection. 

LightSources Provides High-Performance UVC Germicidal Lamps

LightSources and valued partner, LightTech, offer high-tech, high-performance UVC germicidal lamps proven in demanding, germicidal applications.  We differ from other UV lamp suppliers in our commitment to research and development by a team of UV lighting engineers with deep technical knowledge of UV radiation.  The LightSources Group includes strategic partners like Cerlux, offering custom lamp bases and sockets designed with your colors for brand awareness. 

Our wide selection of UVC germicidal lamps includes:

• Low pressure mercury lamps
• Low pressure amalgam lamps
• MPUV technology
• Quartz sleeves
• Electronic ballasts

You can find our UV sterilization lamps in air, water and surface disinfection applications worldwide. We support OEMs of all sizes with high-quality products, quick turn-around time and prototype solutions. 

LightSources follows a strict quality policy as part of our ISO9001:2015 certification, ensuring timely delivery of quality lamp products.  We design, engineer and manufacture innovative lamps and lighting solutions with custom designed products available.  Contact us to speak with an engineer about your unique UV sterilization application requirement. 

UV Sterilization for Commercial Kitchens

 

Restaurants have a responsibility to their patrons to serve healthy food, free from foodborne diseases that have the potential to cause illness.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 127,000 people are hospitalized every year with an illness caused by contaminated food and nearly 3,037 people die each year from a foodborne illness.  Ultraviolet (UV) light sterilization systems provide a solution to help restaurants provide safe and healthy food.

UV sterilization systems also help a restaurant maintain a cleaner facility to comply with food safety regulations and health department inspections.  UV air purification systems also help any facility to maintain a healthier eating area by disinfecting the air in public spaces.  UV air sterilization systems are proven to remove harmful airborne pathogens to reduce the risk of contracting an airborne illness. 

Food Irradiation with UV Germicidal Lamps

Food irradiation is the term used to describe UV germicidal lamps used to preserve food with ultraviolet radiation.  Food irradiation is proven to prevent infection from bacteria and preserve food without any adverse health risks.  UV light is proven to prevent foodborne illnesses such as E. Coli and Salmonella and also preserves food by preventing early sprouting of potatoes or culmination of foodborne insects. 

Restaurants can protect their food by using UV lights above food preparation areas and countertops as well as over food buffets or serving areas. UV radiation emitted at the optimal wavelength, 254 nanometer (nm), alters the DNA of harmful pathogens including bacteria and viruses, and is effective in food irradiation and also on surface sterilization applications. 

UV Air Sterilization

UV lamps are incorporated in HVAC systems to prevent the growth of mold and mildew on cooling coils and may also be aimed to reduce airborne pathogens circulating through the ventilation system.  UV air purification systems may also incorporate ozone lamps to remove foul odor from the air.  UV kitchen exhaust systems over commercial kitchen hoods can even prevent the build up of grease by oxidizing oil fumes into carbon dioxide and water molecules to be removed by kitchen exhaust. 

UV sterilization systems in commercial kitchens provide many benefits such as:  

• Eliminates a fire hazard when used in kitchen exhaust systems by removing the threat of grease build up in the pipeline
• Improves the safety of food with food irradiation
• Eliminates bacteria and viruses on surfaces such as countertops 
• Maintains a cleaner food storage and preparation area
• Prevents mold and mildew in moist spaces such as a walk-in freezer
• UV air sterilization improves the comfort and safety of indoor diners 

UVC germicidal lamps provide these benefits and more with a low-maintenance, highly effective sterilization system.  UV sterilization systems provide solutions to restaurants and commercial kitchens with safe and effective air and surface disinfection.

LightSources is an industry leading supplier of UV lamps used in a multitude of applications, including high-tech, high-performance UVC germicidal lamps.  We support OEMs and manufacturers of UV sterilization systems with high quality lamps engineered with proprietary technology and first-to-market proven germicidal solutions.  Contact us to speak with an engineer about our wide selection of germicidal lamps or custom designed solutions to meet your germicidal needs. 

Germicidal UVC Lamps Protect Food with Irradiation

Food irradiation has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) since 1963 as a safe method of eliminating foodborne pathogens and controlling spoilage. Food irradiation was first approved by the FDA to eliminate insects in flour and wheat.  The FDA and USDA have since approved UV germicidal food irradiation (UVGI) to treat vegetables, fruits, spices, red meats and raw poultry.

The FDA regulates food irradiation in the United States. UVGI is also endorsed by the American Medical Association and the World Health Organization.  Food irradiation provides many benefits in the food and beverage industry with germicidal UVC lamps eliminating harmful microorganisms on food products, surfaces and water/beverage systems. 

What are the Benefits of Food Irradiation?

Food irradiation provides many benefits to the safety of foods such as preserving nutritional value, prolonging shelf life and sterilizing harmful pathogens to reduce health hazards.  Here are some of the most important benefits of UVGI:

• Prevent foodborne illnesses – UVGI is proven to eliminate organisms that cause  Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Salmonella
• Foodborne preservation – UV disinfection lamps destroy the organisms that cause decomposition and spoilage which extends the shelf life of many foods
• Insect control – food irradiation safely destroys insects on foods such as tropical fruits which are imported into the U.S. without the use of pesticides that may damage certain fruits 
• Delay ripening and sprouting – UV food irradiation lamps delay the sprouting in potatoes, onions and garlic to increase food longevity
• Sterilization – hospitals use sterilized foods for patients with severe immune deficiency illnesses such as AIDS or people who are receiving chemotherapy treatments

UV light offers these many benefits for food sterilization and is also used in the bottled water industry and food packaging processes.  UV lamps are used to treat surfaces such as conveyor belts, working surfaces and packaging containers. Germicidal UV lamps are highly effective at eliminating harmful pathogens on many food products although safe food handling procedures are still required to protect against foodborne illnesses.

LightSources Supplies Germicidal UVC Lamps for Food Irradiation

LightSources is a leading supplier of germicidal UVC lamps found in many surface, water and air sterilization systems.  Our highly skilled UV lamp designers and engineers excel with custom designed germicidal solutions to meet specific sterilization requirements.  We understand UV radiation and incorporate the latest technology for longer lasting, more effective UVC lamps which deliver cost saving efficiencies.

We offer low-pressure mercury and amalgam lamps, medium pressure germicidal UV lamps, specialty lamp components and more.  Our lamps are found worldwide in many commercial, industrial and residential applications. LightSources is committed to research, development and continual improvement, delivering first-to-market, patented UVC germicidal solutions which outlast and outperform comparable lamps. 

The LightSources Group consists of the leading high-tech lamp designers and engineers in the industry, supplying OEM-oriented solutions for germicidal applications worldwide.  We offer a vast product line, as well as prototype and custom designed UV lamp solutions. Contact us for more information on UVC germicidal solutions for any application as well as food irradiation. 

UV Water Sterilization Trends and Suppliers

Ultraviolet (UV) radiation is a powerful energy from the sun that emits germ killing, disinfectant wavelengths. UVC germicidal lamps replicate specific wavelengths of UV radiation to provide effective and efficient sterilization in many water, surface and air disinfection applications.  UVC water sterilization is utilized worldwide and is expected to increase in high-volume applications such as:

• Municipal drinking water systems
• Wastewater treatment plants
• Ballast water treatment systems in ships
• Many industrial water sterilization processes

Due to the continued growth and industrialization and emerging economies, specifically in the Asia-Pacific region such as China and India, there is an increasing need for clean water.  Manufacturing facilities, specifically in the oil and gas and chemical industries produce large volumes of wastewater. This wastewater must be treated to prevent significant environmental contamination into groundwater and fresh bodies of water.

There is an increase in private and governmental organizations investing into UV water sterilization systems to provide safe drinking water for communities while protecting the environment. 

US EPA Approved UV Water Sterilization for Drinking Water

UV light is an approved method of water sterilization for municipal drinking water systems by the United States Environmental Protection Agency, providing effective inactivation of pathogens. UV sterilization can also be used in a physical process of oxidation when combined with hydrogen peroxide. This water disinfection process does not require the use of any additional chemicals and is highly effective at eliminating harmful germs and microorganisms.

The many advantages of UV water sterilization include:

• A high rate of effectiveness
• Environmentally friendly with no chemicals
• Easy installation
• Ease-of-use with little to no maintenance

Due to these many advantages with effective and efficient water sterilization, UV germicidal lamp suppliers are expected to supply a steady and increasing demand.

UVC Germicidal Lamp Suppliers

UVC germicidal lamp suppliers must continue to invest in research and development to meet high demands with improved energy efficiency and cost effective solutions. LightSources is a recognized global authority in ultraviolet technology, providing a wide range of UVC germicidal lamps found in many industries worldwide. We continually offer innovative, first to market UV sterilization solutions to meet market demands.


The LightSources Group is a leading global supplier of UV lamps and components, offering a vast product line as well as custom designed solutions. We offer high-tech lamp design and development to meet specific requirements. Contact us to learn more and to ensure a highly effective, cost-efficient UV water sterilization process.

How Does UV Light Kill Bacteria?

Ultraviolet (UV) light kills bacteria in many air, surface and water sterilization applications with proven effectiveness. UVC radiation instantly kills bacteria, viruses and harmful contaminants within seconds of exposure with emitted at the powerful wavelength of 254 nanometer (nm). UV light is measured in wavelengths referred to as nanometers, with 254 nm the most powerful UVC radiation to eradicate harmful contaminants. UVC radiation instantly penetrates the cells of these microorganisms, damaging the nuclei of harmful cells to render them unable to replicate and spread disease. 

UV light emitted in the range of UVC wavelengths at 254 nm instantly kills bacteria, viruses, and harmful contaminants on surfaces, in water and in the air. UV radiation effectively eradicates volatile organic compounds (VOCs) including mold spores, mildew, fungi and many other microscopic invaders even those naked to the human eye. UVC germicidal lamps provide clean and safe air and water in many applications, including residential homes, businesses and industrial applications. 

UV radiation is safe and effective, providing clean, purified and sterilized air in many commercial environments such as schools, doctor offices, hospitals, nursing homes and medical facilities. This is especially important for people with compromised immune systems who may be at risk of contracting disease and illness through airborne contaminants and harmful germs. 

LightSources Offers UVC Germicidal Lamps to Kill Bacteria

The LightSources Group is a leading authority on UVC germicidal radiation, offering proprietary technology and patented lamp products which outperform comparable lamps. We design, engineer and manufacture high performance UV germicidal lamps used in surface, water and air purification and sterilization systems worldwide. We offer a wide selection of standard low pressure UV lamps, medium pressure mercury discharge lamps and custom designed lamps made to your specifications. Our engineers develop custom UV germicidal solutions to fit any application with the most effective UV technology for your application. 

The LightSources Group is recognized as a leading global authority and provider of high-tech UV lamps and quality lamp products developed from experienced and skilled engineers. We partner with OEMs large and small to design, engineer and manufacture proprietary, custom designed lamps which enhance your process. Contact us today to learn more about our wide selection of UV lights to kill bacteria and viruses for use in any UVC germicidal application.