UV Ballast Water Management System Advantages

Originally posted at: https://www.light-sources.com/blog/uv-ballast-water-management-system-advantages/

A UV ballast water management system is a means for controlling and managing the ballast water on ships to prevent the spread of harmful marine organisms. Ships use ballasts, which are large water tanks filled with sea water and located in strategic areas around the ship, for balance depending on the weight of their cargo.

Ships will pick up ballast water while removing cargo in one port to offset the weight loss while traveling through the ocean. The problem with this is that along with filling their ballasts with oceanic water, marine organisms, including harmful marine life and microorganisms, come with it.

Why a UV Ballast Water Management System is Important

These hitchhikers are known to wreak havoc on the ecosystem in which they are released. When ships reach another port and release their ballast water to add cargo, these foreign marine lives take hold and take over in an environment where they have no natural predators. Foreign invaders altering natural marine ecosystems through contaminated ballast water is recognized as one of the greatest threats to the sustainability of our planet’s oceans.

It is estimated that more than 79 million tons of ballast water is discharged at ports of call near the US coastline alone. Not only does harmful ballast water invade and pose a threat to coastal ecosystems, but also poses a real danger to humans as well. Contaminated ballast water spreads diseases which affect humans, causes insurmountable economic damage by destroying fishing industries entire towns depend upon and requires massive cleanup efforts.

Seawater in ballast tanks contains many harmful pathogens and microbes which pose a real safety risk to humans. Seawater taken in as ships ballast water has been proven to contain harmful diseases such a Cholera which is a quick spreading disease that can be fatal for nearly 50% of people it infects. Ballast water has been known to spread toxic algae, jellyfish which completely destroy fishing ports, mussels which attach to structures like dams, and harmful marine microorganisms including viruses and bacteria naked to the human eye.

Ballast Water Management Convention Requirements

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) is a specialized agency within the United Nations which is tasked with the responsibility of establishing safety, security and preventing marine and atmospheric pollution by ships worldwide. The Ballast Water Management Convention (BWMC) is a landmark effort to halt the spread of invasive aquatic species.

The BWMC was first adopted by the IMO in 2004 as an international effort to control and manage ballast water and sediments from all ships. Since its adoption, the BWMC has had several technical guidelines and updates to support shipmasters, ship owners and port authorities.

The biggest news for the BWMC is the recent ratification of more than 65 states which represent more than 70% of the total world tonnage and requires all ships traveling through international waters to maintain a ballast water management system. These recent requirements were enforceable September 8, 2017, and are to be implemented over time for existing ships and immediately for all newly constructed vessels.

The BWMC obligates all parties to undertake comprehensive actions to reduce or eliminate the transfer of harmful aquatic pathogens and organisms through the control and management of ballast water and sediments. Port State control officers have the ability to inspect ships to verify an approved ballast water management plan, a valid certificate and to inspect the ballast water record book or sample the ship’s ballast water.

Ballast Water Management System Technologies

Ballast water treatment methods include mechanical filtration and UV ballast water management systems, often used together for highly effective control and elimination of harmful marine organisms. Ultraviolet (UV) germicidal lamps are proven to instantly eradicate viruses, bacteria and microorganisms naked to the human eye. UV ballast water treatment technology offers many advantages to shipmasters and shipowners.

UV ballast water management systems are approved by the US Coast Guard and the IMO, and offer the following advantages:

·        Simple operation with very low maintenance

·        Economical, fast and efficient technology

·        Eco-friendly, chemical free safe process

·        No need to handle, store or transport dangerous chemicals

·        No impact to the environment

UV ballast water treatment technology is safe and effective, requires a small footprint suitable for smaller vessels and is very low maintenance with long-lasting UV germicidal lamps.

LightSources Offers High Performance UV Germicidal Lamps

LightSources is a leading global authority on UVC germicidal lamp development and solutions for a wide range of applications. We have partnered with many of the largest providers of ballast water treatment systems in the world to provide high-quality UV germicidal lamps and components for newly constructed ships or alterations to existing ships.

Our Low Pressure (LP) Pellet Amalgam lamps are designed with proprietary LongLIfe™ technology providing an increased efficiency of 30 to 35% over other comparable lamps. Our Medium Pressure UV (MPUV) germicidal lamps provide an even smaller footprint with proven durability and effectiveness. UV radiation emitted at precisely 254 nm is proven to quickly destroy harmful germs, viruses and bacteria by instantly destroying the DNA of these cells, rendering them harmless and unable to replicate.

 

What are the Benefits of UV Quartz Sleeves?

UV quartz sleeves are a protective jacket that fits around ultraviolet (UV) lamps to protect the lamps as well as protect people against the hazards of UV lamp breakage. Quartz sleeves for UV lamps are a smart investment that can be applied to many different types of UVC germicidal lamps such as standard lamps, amalgam lamps and high-output (HO) lamps. There are various types of UV quartz sleeves such as open ends or closed ends which are also called dome sleeves. Saw cut, fire polished and other custom quartz sleeve shapes are available.

UV Quartz Sleeves Protect Lamps, People, and the Environment

Adding UV quartz sleeves protects the lamps against damage from water, air, leakage, fluctuations in temperature and breakage which can cause injury and environmental contamination. Quartz sleeves protect UV lamps in a wide variety of applications and are particularly useful to protect UVC germicidal lamps. UV quartz sleeves can be installed on germicidal lamps used in UV air sterilization, water disinfection, and surface sterilization systems.

Quartz Sleeves Protect in Any Environment

UV quartz sleeves are useful to protect UVC germicidal lamps in many different industries and applications such as:

• Surface disinfection systems

• Water sterilization systems

• Air purification units

• Photochemical reactors

• Many specialized sterilization systems

LightSources is a worldwide supplier of ultraviolet (UV) lamps and lighting solutions providing high quality UV lamps, proprietary technologies that extends useful life and quartz sleeves for added protection. Quartz sleeves are beneficial when lamps are used in small places  and can be designed to protect two-tube linear lamps and custom-designed lamps in a variety of shapes and sizes.  LightSources offers OEM-oriented solutions with custom design, engineering, and development to meet specific germicidal requirements and UV quartz sleeves to provide long-lasting protection.

LightSources offers high-quality, high-tech, specialty UV lamps and lighting solutions. Our proprietary technology extends lamp life with high-performance and our quartz sleeves protect lamps in many different environments. Contact us to learn more about the many UV lamp solutions we offer including lamp protection with UV quartz sleeves.

UVB Phototherapy Lamps for Vitiligo

Vitiligo is an autoimmune disorder which causes white patches to appear on the skin due to a progressive loss of melanocytes, melanin forming cells. These colorless patches on the skin have distinct margins, are non-scaly, and typically will get larger over time. They may also appear inside of the nose and mouth, and loss of color can also affect hair and facial hair.

UVB Lamps for Vitiligo Provide Successful Treatment

Ultraviolet, UV lamps designed to emit narrow band UVB give patients hope for a positive prognosis when properly administered. UVB lamps for vitiligo are considered safe under the proper direction and are typically administered in the office of a dermatologist. Ultraviolet lamps are most effective at restoring skin pigmentation on patients with vitiligo on the neck and face; white patches on fingertips, toes, and the lips are less responsive to UVB phototherapy.

Narrowband UVB Proven Effective Treatment for Vitiligo

Narrowband UVB lamps were shown to provide nearly 75% repigmentation on 63% of patients receiving phototherapy for vitiligo twice per week over the course of one year in this study published by the National Library of medicine. Narrowband UVB lamps were shown to be more effective than another popular treatment with UVA lamps and Psoralen medication, referred to as PUVA. Patients should speak with their doctor to determine the best course of action for their type of vitiligo.

LightSources Offers Phototherapy Lamps for Vitiligo

LightSources is a leading global supplier of specialty fluorescent and ultraviolet lamps used in a variety of applications, including medical phototherapy treatment. We offer UVA and UVB phototherapy lamps for vitiligo and many other skin diseases, including acne, psoriasis, and eczema.  LightSources employs the leading high-tech lamp designers and engineers, offering a wide range of UVC germicidal lamp solutions used in many disinfection applications worldwide, such as air purification systems, surface sterilization, and water disinfection.

LightSources leads the way with UV lamp solutions offering a wide range of lamp types and styles as well as custom design, engineering, and manufacturing. Our lighting engineers offer capabilities to create custom phosphor blends to meet your exact wavelength emission specifications. Contact us to learn more about medical phototherapy lamps, including UVB lamps for vitiligo.

How is Far UVC 222 nm Light Safer than 254 nm UV lamps?

Ultraviolet light emitted in the UVC range (100-280 nm) is highly effective at eliminating harmful germs with standard germicidal lamps designed to emit wavelengths close to the 254 nm range. The specific wavelength is proven to be highly effective at eliminating many harmful pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, mold, fungi, and other microorganisms. Germicidal UVC lamps are used in UV air treatment systems, water purification and surface sterilization systems worldwide. 

The standard germicidal lamps, however, cannot be used in the presence of humans due to the risk of damage to human skin and eyes.

222 Nm Far UVC Lamps Are Safer Than Standard Germicidal Lamps

UVC light emitted precisely at 222 nm is also called Far UVC and is proven to have the same germicidal effectiveness without the risk of human exposure. 222 nm UV light is highly absorbed by the DNA of cells, similar to how cells absorb UV light when in the range of 254 nm. 222 nm light is also absorbed by the proteins that surround the cells, which differs from 254 nm light. 

Proteins are contained in the cell outer membranes of bacteria and viruses, and because they absorb 222 nm UV light, the harmful radiation cannot penetrate into the thick layer of human cells. This protective layer is also found on the eyes, making 222 nm light safer for exposure to human skin and eyes, allowing for use in occupied spaces.

Far UVC lamps designed to emit 222 nm are currently in use in many applications, including medical facilities, hospitals, public spaces, and commercial uses providing effective sterilization and disinfection without the risk of causing harm to human health.

LightSources and LightTech are leading global suppliers of UVC germicidal lamps designed for a wide range of industries and applications. We offer custom design and engineering, and prototype development and are currently developing Excimer lamps to produce Far UVC in the range of 222 nm UV light. 

LightSources offers custom design and prototype development to meet unique customer specifications. Excimer lamps to produce far UVC light are currently in development at LightSources. Contact us with any questions and to learn more about all her germicidal solutions  including the efficacy and safety of 222 nm UV light.

UV Food Irradiation Proven to Improve Food Safety

Ultraviolet (UV) light produces electromagnetic UV radiation which has known germicidal and sterilization effects. UV irradiation has many purposes and preventing foodborne illnesses is one important sterilization process that UV light provides to food processors with many health benefits to end-users. UV lamps which emit radiation in the UVC wavelength help to protect against harmful pathogens which can infest food products and keep food fresher longer. 

How Does UV Radiation Protect Food?

When food and beverage products are exposed to UV radiation, powerful germ-killing UVC energy improves the safety and condition of these items. Ultraviolet radiation is absorbed through chemical bonds which protects food without altering food quality and is completely harmless, proven to improve the safety of food and beverage items. Food processing with UV irradiation protects meat processing plants, juices, and beverage pasteurization, and extends the shelf life of produce.

UV irradiation also disinfects surfaces where food is prepared in food processing plants and restaurants around the world. UV radiation for food is approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration, the FDA, and is also approved by the US Department of Agriculture, USDA. UV radiation improves food safety, prevents many foodborne illnesses, and preserves foods to last longer, extending the shelf life of various products without risk of disease.

What Types of Foods Are Protected with UV Radiation?

UVC germicidal lamps produce UV irradiation to protect a wide range of food and beverage products by providing the following benefits:

• Prevents infestation of insects in grains, vegetables, nuts, and fruits

• Prevents mold and mildew from accumulating on liquid sugar tanks

• Prevents onions, garlic, and potatoes from sprouting early

• Reduces risk of foodborne illnesses in poultry, meat, and seafood

• Prevents harmful bacteria and viruses such as listeria from developing on conveyor belts which is a serious issue for ready to eat food processors

UVC germicidal lamps are proven effective in food processing applications as well as many other types of sterilization and disinfection processes. UV sterilization lamps improve indoor air quality in public, commercial, industrial, and residential settings with UVC air purification systems. UVC lamps also remove harmful microorganisms and many water sterilization applications such as water treatment plants, pools and spas, Aqua sciences and many other water applications. Surface sterilization is important in many settings such as hospitals, restaurants, laboratories, and many others and is achieved with UVC germicidal lamps.

LightSources is a leading global supplier of UVC germicidal lamp solutions in a wide range of fluorescent, and low-pressure mercury sterilization lamps. We offer custom design and engineering, prototype development, and meet production requirements for OEMs worldwide. Contact us to learn more about high-tech, high quality UVC lamps for food irradiation.

Compact, CFL Bulbs with Plug-In Versatility

Compact fluorescent bulbs, also known as CFL bulbs, are becoming more popular in many applications.  CFL lamps come in a wide variety of sizes to meet different needs such as for commercial, industrial, and residential uses.  CFL lamps can also be designed to emit UVC radiation for germicidal applications, which is also increasing in demand as technology allows for customizing lamp sizes and shapes to accommodate many different styles of disinfection and sterilization systems. 

PLL and PLS Compact Lights

Compact lamps are often in one of two categories, either PLL (plug-in long) version or PLS (plug-in short) version. PLS lights are common in accentuating architecture or fine pieces of art.  CFL bulbs like PLS lamps are also used for security measures, in offices, homes, or for illuminating exterior signs.  PLS fluorescent lamps are found in many places and provide long-lasting, pleasing light with very cost-efficient performance. 

UVC PLS Lamps

PLS germicidal lamps are common in sterilization systems that demand powerful UV sterilization but in a limited space. UVC radiation emitted at precisely 254 nm is proven effective at killing many types of germs and harmful microorganisms. UVC germicidal lamps are used in water sterilization systems and can even kill bacteria that chlorine cannot. UV sterilization lamps in hospitals can even eliminate bacteria that is resistant to antibiotics, considered superbugs. 

UVC sterilization lamps are common in many air purification systems and can be installed in upper room UVGI air sterilization systems and are also installed in HVAC systems. UVC lamps in furnaces and air conditioning systems require powerful sterilization lamps in tight spaces. UVC PLS lamps provide effective sterilization when space is an issue.

LightSources Offers PLL and PLS Lamps with Endless Options

LightSources offers high-quality CFL bulbs in PLL and PLS lamp types with endless possibilities for custom configurations. Most PLL lamps are either 2-pin or 4-pin, although LightSources offers custom configurations with various sizes and customized sockets and bases.

LightSources is a leading global supplier of high quality UV lamps found in a wide range of lighting applications. We meet the needs of OEMs of all sizes with prototype solutions and high quality, on-time production.  Contact us to learn more about designing and engineering custom CFL lamps to meet your needs with PL and PLS light solutions.

Where Is UVC Water Sterilization Used?

UV water purification is popular worldwide to sterilize water for many different types of industries and applications. UVC germicidal lamps are used to sterilize water to improve health and wellness in the following applications:

Wastewater treatment  - UVC germicidal lamps help to eliminate bacteria and viruses and provide additional sanitary measures when used in conjunction with filtration.  

Drinking water - UV lamps are used to sterilize drinking water to provide safe and healthy water for communities in urban and rural environments. UVC technologies are effective at sterilizing water for safe drinking and also eliminate harmful bacteria including cryptosporidium and giardia bacterium that are resistant to chlorine.

Aquaculture - UV disinfection is a critical tool used to improve the health and well-being of marine life in fish hatcheries and promotes safe and healthy fish production. Improving water quality without the use of chemicals is important to the health of fish and marine life. UVC sterilization provides a solution which improves water quality without harmful byproducts.

Ballast water for ships - ship transportation is a critical aspect of the global economy with ships leaving one dock and landing and another on the other side of the world on a regular basis. This interrupts marine life ecosystems and introduces harmful, predatory species to new environments which can wreak havoc on human life in the area. Transportation ships are required to treat their ballast water prior to discharging in a new area. UVC technology is an approved method of ballast water treatment meeting U.S. Coast Guard and international requirements.

UVC lamps are used to improve these water applications and many others with UVC germicidal lamps emitting UVC electromagnetic radiation in the range of 185 nm for ozone lamps or 254 nm for UV sterilization.

LightSources is a leading global supplier of high tech UVC germicidal lamp solutions. You can find our UVC sterilization lamps worldwide in air, surface, and water sterilization applications. Contact us to learn more about our UVC lamps for water sterilization and other germicidal solutions.

How UVC Lamps are Helping Hospitals

Hospitals provide lifesaving treatments with modern medicine and staff dedicated to healing sick individuals. Unfortunately, as much effort is focused on sanitizing and sterilizing all surfaces in hospitals, many people contract an additional illness from a hospital stay when seeking treatment for a health condition. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, estimate that approximately 1 in 25 people who are admitted as patients to a hospital contract an additional infection from their hospital stay. This is referred to as a hospital acquired infection, HAI, and it is estimated that approximately 100,000 people die every year from an HAI in the United States.

UVC Germicidal Lamps Help Sterilize Hospitals

Surfaces in hospital patient rooms and stagnant air circulating through hospitals can create a breeding ground for bacteria and viruses. Patients ill with antibiotic resistant infections, commonly called superbugs, can leave behind transmissible germs even with thorough manual cleaning.  UVC germicidal lamps significantly improve sterilization rates when combined with manual cleaning tactics and are proven effective at eliminating many superbugs such as MRSA, SARS and even the Sars-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19. 

UVC Lamps Sterilize Air, Surfaces, and Water

UVC germicidal technology is utilized in hospitals in a number of ways.  UVC germicidal lamps installed in HVAC, air-conditioning units or upper room ultraviolet germicidal irradiation, UVGI, units are proven to improve indoor air quality, sterilize and purify the air. UV sterilization lamps are also utilized to disinfect many surfaces in hospitals including operating rooms, patient rooms, and to directly sterilize medical equipment and surgery devices.  UVC lamps are also used in water applications to prevent bacteria, mold or mildew and ensure clean and sterile water.

UVC Robots Help Hospitals Stay Clean

In addition to UVC germicidal lamps used in air, water, and surface sterilization systems, UVC robots are becoming more popular in hospitals and many other public places. Robots equipped with UVC sterilization lamps can roam hospital rooms and reach places that manual cleaning cannot reach, providing a safety net with powerful UV radiation proven to kill viruses and germs.

LightSources offers UVC germicidal lamps for hospital sterilization and all applications including water, surface, air, and UVC robots. We are a leading global supplier of UV sterilization lamps with a wide range of product sizes to meet any application need as well as custom-designed solutions to meet your germicidal requirements. Contact us to learn more about improving sterilization and hospitals, medical facilities, and any other environment.

UV Sterilization Lamps for Surface, Air and Water Sterilization

Ultraviolet, UV, sterilization lamps are lamps that are designed and engineered to emit ultraviolet radiation in the UVC range which is extremely effective at destroying many viruses and bacteria. UVC germicidal lamps are used in a wide range of industries and applications to sterilize surfaces, sanitize and purify the air we breathe, and eliminate waterborne viruses and bacteria.  LightSources is a leading global supplier of UVC germicidal lamps proven in nearly any type of surface, air, or water sterilization application.

UVC Lamps for Surface Sterilization

UVC germicidal lamps are used in many industries and applications to sterilize surfaces including:

• Hospitals

• Restaurants 

• Grocery stores

• Research labs

• Schools

• Public places

• Commercial and residential environments

UV Germicidal Lamps for Air Purification

UVC lamps are effective at eliminating airborne viruses when properly installed in HVAC units and ultraviolet germicidal irradiation, UVGI, units. UV air sterilization systems can be installed in nearly any environment such as residential homes, commercial and public properties and industrial applications. UVC lamps in HVAC units help to sterilize and purify the air in two different ways, by treating air circulating through the system as well as preventing mold from accumulating on condenser units.

UVC Lamps for Water Sanitation

UVC lamps are used in a broad range of water sterilization applications such as in wastewater treatment plants and many other applications which require sterilized and purified water. UVC radiation can actually kill waterborne viruses that chlorine does not. And is used in many water applications such as:

• Wastewater treatment

• Pools and spas

• Life-sciences

• Ballast water treatment systems

• Aquaculture

UVC germicidal lamps for water purification are highly effective.  LightSources offers a wide range of UVC germicidal lamps proven in water sanitation applications and developed with proprietary technology such as our pellet amalgam germicidal lamp technology. We offer low pressure, medium pressure, high pressure, and amalgam technology as well as UVC ozone lamps proven in many water sterilization applications.

LightSources offers UVC germicidal lamps for any sterilization application. Our lighting engineers possess deep technical knowledge and assist customers with custom-designed germicidal solutions to meet their application needs. Contact us to learn more about our UVC germicidal lamps and how to incorporate them in your application for a cleaner and healthier, sterilized environment.

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.