UV Kitchen Exhaust: Self-Cleaning Technology

UV light technology provides disinfection solutions to a variety of air, surface, and water treatment applications with high-intensity UV lamps proven to break down organic compounds. UVC germicidal lamps are used in a multitude of environments where eliminating harmful microorganisms is critical, such as hospitals, schools, and many public areas including restaurants. UV lamps help to eliminate germs in the air and on surfaces, providing proven restaurant disinfection solutions in dining areas as well as in the kitchen with food irradiation and UV kitchen exhaust systems.

UV lamps in kitchen exhaust systems provide many benefits by preventing bacteria and grease buildup in kitchen exhaust hoods. This self-cleaning technology provides a cleaner, healthier and safer commercial kitchen by eliminating odors and mitigating the risk of grease fires.

UV lamps with emissions in the UVC wavelength have long been used in HVAC systems to eliminate bacteria and mold growth in ductwork. This UVC technology provides the same benefits and also prevents grease buildup in Commercial Kitchen Ventilation (CKV) systems.

How UV Kitchen Exhaust Systems Work

Kitchen exhaust systems provide the primary function of extracting grease through mechanical filters and inertial means. Kitchen hood exhausts successfully remove grease particles. The smaller grease particulates and vapor that remain are then exposed to the UVC light to break down the molecules. This process effectively prevents grease buildup, thus reducing maintenance, cleaning and mitigating fire hazard.

Photolysis and Ozonolysis

UVC lamps in UV kitchen exhaust systems break down grease particles in commercial kitchen exhaust systems through two distinct processes: photolysis and ozonolysis. Photolysis is the chemical reaction that occurs when a chemical compound is broken down by photons. Photolysis breaks down the molecular bond and grease particles and ozonolysis oxidizes the grease molecules.

Installing UV Lamps in Kitchen Exhaust Systems

UVC germicidal lamps can be installed in the interior of the hood exhaust plenum, in stainless steel fixtures against the top or back of the ductwork. UV lamps should be installed in kitchen exhaust systems with a separation of at least 10 cm to provide ample spacing for effective photolysis to occur.

Breakdown of Grease Buildup

The UV radiation reacts with the air pulled through the kitchen hood exhaust during the photolysis process, also called photodissociation, where the photons break down the oxygen molecules into oxygen atoms. The oxygen atoms combine with any remaining oxygen molecules to form ozone molecules, which react with the organic compounds in the grease.

This chemical reaction called ozonolysis, alters the grease organic compounds in the exhaust air to form easier-to-clean byproducts, specifically carbon dioxide and water vapor. Ozonolysis is proven to significantly reduce the buildup of grease deposits in both the grease exhaust duct and the hood exhaust system.

Benefits of UV Lamps in Kitchen Hood Exhaust Systems

Reducing grease buildup reduces the maintenance and cleaning required in a kitchen hood exhaust and also decreases the likelihood of grease fires occurring in the kitchen exhaust system.  Ozone is known to eliminate foul odors in the air, thus ozonolysis helps to eliminate the odor that comes with built-up grease, which can occur quickly in busy commercial kitchens.

UV disinfection lamps in UV kitchen exhaust systems help restaurant owners to achieve many benefits including:

• Significantly reduce built-up grease in kitchen exhausts
• Eliminate foul orders from stale, built-up grease
• Mitigate the risk of fires in kitchen exhaust systems
• Save money on cleaning and maintenance expenses
• Supports sustainable heat recovery

While UVC technology is safe and chemical-free, direct exposure to skin and eyes should be avoided. Safety measures that turn off the UV lights when the kitchen exhaust is turned off protect kitchen personnel.

It is important to use reputable UVC germicidal lamps and hood exhaust systems to ensure the proper breakdown of molecules as well as ensure the safety of kitchen and restaurant workers. UVC systems should be installed in kitchen hood exhausts with several interlocks, ensuring that the UV lights will turn off when the exhaust system is off or when a filter is removed to protect against human exposure.

UVC Lamps for Restaurants and UV Kitchen Exhaust Systems

LightSources is recognized worldwide as a leading manufacturer of high-tech UVC germicidal lamps. We support OEMs of all sizes with a wide selection of UVC germicidal lamps in various shapes and sizes as well as with custom-engineered solutions to meet your specifications.

Our lighting engineers possess deep technical knowledge of UV radiation and continually develop first-to-market, proprietary technology through extensive research and development. We offer UV lamp prototype solutions and custom phosphor blends to produce the optimum wavelength for specific germicidal needs. Our UVC germicidal lamps can be found in a multitude of applications including UVC robots, hospital air and surface disinfection, restaurant and UV kitchen exhaust systems, and many other air, water or surface disinfection applications.

The Various Uses for UV Light

The uses for UV light include a broad range of applications in commercial, industrial, and healthcare settings. Ultraviolet (UV) light is separated into three basic categories of UVA, UVB, and UVC based on the nanometer or wavelength of UV emissions.  UVC light is the shortest wavelength emitted by the sun and is mostly absorbed by the ozone layer.

• UVA light is between 315 to 400 nm
• UVB light is between 280 to 315 nm
• UVC light is between 100 to 280 nm

UV technology allows for lighting engineers to replicate UVC radiation which provides highly effective disinfection properties. UV lamps provide germicidal effectiveness in many applications along with a host of other purposes and uses in a wide range of industries worldwide. Some of the most common uses of UV light include:

Illumination – of course the original purpose of lamps is to illuminate, with UV lamps offering energy efficient, bright light in many industries such as manufacturing, clean room production, quality inspection and many other applications which require a well-lit environment.

Lighted signs – lighted signs are required for many purposes like illuminating emergency exits in public places and for marketing and brand awareness purposes.  LightSources and our valued partner Voltarc provide fluorescent and neon lighting solutions with decades of experience in custom designed solutions.

Backlighting – UV lamps provide backlighting to the avionics and aerospace industry, providing reliable lighting in airplane cabins and cockpits.  LightSources and our valued partners offer experienced backlighting solutions with high-quality UV lamps designed for backlighting found in many demanding industries including the NASA space shuttle.

UV curing – used in many manufacturing applications, UV lamps for curing of inks, coatings and finishes provides a strengthened outer coating.  Adhesives, varnishes and lacquers cured with UV lamps are more durable and last in demanding environments such as industrial, automotive, and aerospace applications.

Tanning – UV lamps are the core technology in tanning salons, offering clientele a way to enjoy a sun-kissed look from man-made technology.  LightSources offers many benefits to the tanning industry with the introduction of proprietary technology designed strictly to improve tanning performance and safety.

Phototherapy – UV lamps provide many medical benefits for a host of conditions such as skin diseases including acne, jaundice, psoriasis, eczema and other conditions like seasonal depression.

Germicidal – UVC germicidal lamps are designed to replicate UVC radiation which is proven to have immense sterilization and disinfection properties. Today, germicidal UVC light applications are the first choice for many industries worldwide that require water, air or surface sterilization.

Germicidal UVC Lamps and Applications

Air – UVC germicidal lamps are used in air sterilization systems including upper room ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) systems and can also be placed in HVAC systems to sterilize the air as it runs through HVAC systems while also preventing mold and mildew on cooling coils. UV air sterilization systems can be used just about anywhere and are especially helpful in public places like hospitals, schools, libraries, airports, and anywhere people congregate with limited ventilation. UV air sterilization is important and hospitals to improve the health of people with respiratory illness like asthma and prevent the spread of hospital acquired infections.

Water – UV lamps also provide a safe, efficient way to treat water without the need to use harmful chemicals that create pollution in rivers, oceans and other bodies of water. UV lamps are cost-effectively used for water purification in water reclamation, waste water, drinking water, industrial and commercial process water, pool and spa, aquaculture and life sciences applications.

Surface – UV surface sterilization is highly effective as a valuable tool in many industries and environments. Hospitals use UV sterilization to disinfect surgical equipment in patient rooms. Surface sterilization is important in restaurants and commercial kitchens as well as public places such as airports, bus stations and public transportation systems. UV lamps significantly improve a sterile environment in hospitals and help to prevent the spread of disease.

Food Industry – UV germicidal lamps provide many benefits to the food and restaurant industries, with food irradiation a highly effective and safe method of food treatment approved by the FDA. Food irradiation prevents early spoiling of various foods, prolonged shelf-life, preserves nutritional value and helps to eliminate foodborne illnesses like E. coli and salmonella. UVC lamps can prevent viruses from accumulating on food preparation surfaces and in dining areas and restaurants. UV germicidal lamps provide a host of benefits to the restaurant food industry and can be used in water, air and surface applications.

UV Lamp Suppliers for the Many Uses of UV Light

 LightSources and our valued partner LightTech are premier light bulb suppliers in the industry.  We produce UV lamps for virtually any application, with proprietary, first to market UV technology designed to prolong lamp life and extend lamp effectiveness.

All of our UV germicidal low pressure, medium pressure and high pressure ultra-violet lamps are designed to be energy-efficient as well as long-lasting. Please contact us to find out how UV light can provide a solution for your application. We offer high-quality standard lamps and components as well as specialize in customizing the best solutions to meet our partner’s unique needs.

UV Light Robots Effective in Fight Against Virus Infection

UV light robots utilizing UVC germicidal lamps are in high demand in the fight against the spread of harmful bacteria and viruses, including the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19. Ultraviolet (UV) radiation emitted in the UVC wavelength is proven to have highly effective germicidal properties, quickly eradicating harmful pathogens on surfaces, in water and in the air.

UV Light Robots: The Future is Now

UV sterilization systems have been utilized for decades such as in air treatment systems, water treatment plants, and many other applications where UV lamps are installed to disinfect surfaces. It is not unusual to see UV lamps in HVAC or wall mounted air treatment systems or positioned to sterilize surfaces such as medical and surgical equipment. Seeing a UVC robot roam the halls of public places, however, may seem like a scene out of a science fiction, futuristic movie.

Thanks to advances in technology and several studies verifying the effectiveness of UV lamps to kill the SARS-CoV-2 virus, the future is now with UV light robots gaining in popularity to disinfect surfaces in many different environments. Autonomous robots with UVC germicidal lamps installed to emit UVC radiation in all directions provide an effective tool to eliminate tough viruses and bacteria that manual cleaning procedures may have missed. UVC robots operate without humans present and can use sensors to detect motion to shut down if people are near. They can navigate rooms, hallways and find their way back to charging stations, all without being on the payroll or taking a lunch break.

UVC Robots a Common Sight in Many Environments

UVC light robots are becoming a common sight in many environments as people and businesses worldwide take proactive steps to reduce the spread of COVID-19. Hospitals and medical facilities are the main driver in the increased use of UVC robots although many other industries and environments are taking notice and using the same technology to protect their staff and the public.

Hospitals are known to be a source of infection with medical staff and administrators focused on preventing hospital acquired infections (HAIs) through meticulous sterilization procedures. Disinfecting hospital rooms where patients had a serious illness such as COVID-19 or any type of superbug like antibiotic-resistant bacterial infections is critical to protect all hospital patients and staff. UVC germicidal lamps have long been used in hospitals and medical facilities and are increasing in use in other environments.

UVC disinfection lamps and UV light robots are helping to protect people with effective sterilization in many industries and environments including:

• Hospitals and medical facilities
• Schools and college campuses
• Public stores and shopping malls
• Office buildings and manufacturers
• Restaurants and kitchens
• Libraries
• Public transportation systems
  • Buses and bus stations
  • Trains and train stations
  • Airplanes and airports

UV light robots can be programmed to enter hospital rooms after manual cleaning procedures and significantly improve effective disinfection rates. UV disinfection is effective in a wide range of water, air and surface sterilization applications.

Effectiveness of UV Light Sterilization

According to a recent study by the National Institutes of Health, UVC disinfection robot, the effectiveness of UV light sterilization depends on several environmental factors such as surface topography, relative humidity, temperature, pH, organic load and other chemical compounds present. UVC germicidal lamps and UV light robots are proven 99.99% effective in reducing counts of vegetative bacteria within 15 minutes, including stubborn superbugs like MRSA, and even tougher pathogens like C. difficile within 50 minutes.

Since the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020 several studies have been conducted on the effectiveness of UVC light to kill the SARS-CoV-2 virus, with highly effective eradication of the virus comparable to other coronaviruses. Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, also known as SARS, and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) are both in the same coronavirus family. UVC light is proven effective at eliminating these coronaviruses as well as SARS-CoV-2, according to many recent research studies such as Upper-room ultraviolet air disinfection might help to reduce COVID-19 transmission in buildings: a feasibility study from October of 2020 by the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

UVC Germicidal Lamps for UV Light Robots

LightSources is a leading global supplier of UVC germicidal lamps for UVC light robots, offering a wide selection of high-quality germicidal lamps and custom engineering support. Our engineers possess deep technical knowledge of UV radiation and designing custom phosphor blends to meet your exact specifications. Our germicidal UVC lamps are proven in surface, water, and air sterilization applications, developed with proprietary technologies such as LongLife+™ and Shatter ProTech. LongLife+™ is a specialty coating that increases lamp life up to 16,000 hours, Shatter ProTech provides shatter resistance and protection from mercury contamination.

Our UV germicidal lamps include:

• Low Pressure Mercury Lamps
• Low Pressure Amalgam Lamps
• MPUVC germicidal lamps
• UV Quartz sleeves
• UVC Ozone lamps
• Custom bases and sockets
• Electronic Ballasts

UV Light Disinfection Robot: Still a Viable, Cost-Effective Solution

Service robots have been used in the medical field for many years with robots assisting with surgery, roaming bots with tablets allowing for physician tele-visits and even drones delivering emergency medical equipment. Robots have many other applications in the healthcare industry such as UV light disinfection robots which are becoming increasingly popular in hospitals to sterilize patient rooms, operating rooms, common surfaces, and medical equipment.

UV Light Disinfection Robots: Not Entirely a New Concept

Even before the global COVID-19 pandemic, hospitals across the country like this New Jersey hospital were investing in UV light disinfection robots according to this article in Robotics Business Review magazine published March of 2019. Hospital acquired infections (HAIs) have always been a concern as some of the most commonly transmitted HAIs are “superbugs” which are resistant to antibiotics. MRSA (methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), VRE (Vancomycin-resistant enterococci), C. diff. (Clostridium difficile) and other superbugs cause serious pain and suffering and may even cause death.

Cleaning and disinfection practices are a significant concern and one of the greatest costs of the modern healthcare sector. Hospitals must always maintain diligence in sterilization procedures to prevent hospital acquired infections and studies have been conducted on the efficacy of UV light robots long before the COVID-19 pandemic.

This study from the National Institutes of Health from 2017, Application of Service Robots for Disinfection in Medical Institutions, concludes that semi-automated UV light systems such as UV light robots were effective to substantially reduce the burden of MRSA and bacteria on surfaces, including in vacated patient rooms known to have been infected with MRSA.

MRSA is in the beta coronavirus family, similar to the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19. Several recent studies have shown that UV light may be effective at eliminating the SARS-CoV-2 virus as other coronaviruses, including MRSA, with the right conditions and exposure. According to the Food and Drug Administration, FDA, as of February 2021 there was still limited published data on the dose, duration and wavelength required to inactivate the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

More UV Light Robots Roaming Hospital Halls

Since the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, hospitals have been faced with new challenges in preventing the spread of COVID-19 amidst record capacity levels with many patients infected with the deadly SARS-CoV-2 virus. On top of treating high patient levels, healthcare workers at times had to deal with shortages in protective personal equipment (PPE), putting staff and patients at an increased risk of infection.

Hospitals across the country sought new tools and innovative methods to protect patients and staff. UV light disinfection robots provided a valuable tool as more hospitals began implementing mobile ultraviolet technology to aid in the fight against COVID-19. The Henry Ford Health System in Detroit invested in 20 UV light robots as reported in December of 2020, the Norman Regional Health Systems in Oklahoma purchased 6 UV light disinfection robots in July of 2020, as well as many other hospitals and medical facilities.

Hospitals are not the only application where UV light robots have been used to combat infectious disease. Airports, mass transit stations, libraries, schools, shopping malls, and many other public places have invested in autonomous virus killers on wheels to protect against the spread of germs.

UVC Disinfection Devices

A UVC disinfection robot is one of several devices where UV technology is used to eliminate harmful germs. Additional UV disinfection devices include air purification systems, water treatment systems and additional surface sterilization technologies. UVC disinfection devices typically use UVC germicidal mercury lamps due to high effectiveness and low cost.

Air purification systems are often installed as a wall-mounted unit or in HVAC systems and help to clean and purify the air that we breathe by eliminating harmful airborne pathogens. UVC lights mounted over surgical equipment and in operating rooms help to provide surface sterilization and UV water treatment systems eliminate harmful pathogens from water supplies in many applications. While air and water UV purification systems are still widely in use in many environments, the use of UV light sterilization robots has increased with a greater awareness of the effectiveness and the benefits that mobility devices provide.

Advantages of UV Light Disinfection Robots

UV light robots should be considered for use only in addition to manual cleaning practices and never relied upon for soul sterilization purposes. UV wavelengths are more effective when hitting a clean surface as dirt can trap microorganisms that may be difficult to be eradicated by UV light. Hospitals and other applications that have employed the use of UV light robots have realized many advantages such as:

Semi-automatic operation – staff can be trained to operate the UV robots which can be programmed to follow a particular path in a patient room, focusing UV rays in hard-to-reach places and can automatically return back to a charging station.

Highly effective – UV light robots have been proven to significantly reduce harmful levels of pathogens to safe levels, in addition to manual cleaning practices.

No labor expenses – UV robots have become part of the staff in many hospitals, even given names of their own. Robots however never ask for a lunch break, a day off or overtime pay.

Low maintenance – UVC germicidal lamps provide thousands of hours of effective sterilization with low maintenance and low ongoing costs.

No additional cleaning chemicals – UV lamps provide high sterilization efficacy with no need to purchase and store chemical cleaners.

Return on investment – UV light robots provide a worthwhile return on investment to hospitals by reducing costs of extended hospital stays due to HAIs, which occur in 1 out of 31 patients according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC. Additionally, by eliminating superbugs from patient rooms and saving even one life due to serious infection, this added level of disinfection is priceless.

UVC Germicidal Lamps for UV Light Disinfection Robots

LightSources and LightTech, together with our valuable partner companies comprise the LightSources group, recognized as a world leading UV lamp supplier. We offer a wide selection of UVC disinfection lamps, with various proven technologies, sizes and styles and custom engineered germicidal lamp solutions available. Our UV lamp engineers possess deep technical knowledge of UV radiation and lamp design to provide customized solutions including custom phosphor blends and proprietary technologies to meet the needs of innovative original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) of all sizes.

Our UVC germicidal lamps for UV light robots include:

• Low pressure Mercury lamps
• Medium pressure UVC lamps
• Compact quartz lamps
• Standard quartz
• High-output quartz
• Standard softglass
• High output softglass
• Amalgam lamps with proprietary technology.
• UVC ozone lamps
• Custom lamp bases and sockets
• Electronic ballasts

Our proprietary technology Shatter ProTech provides a cost-efficient solution to protect lamps and the environment with a shield that is acid and heat resistant and fits any lamp geometry. Our additional proprietary lamp technologies give our customers an added competitive advantage with high-quality, cost-effective UV lamp products for any germicidal application.

HVAC UV Light Benefits

Ultraviolet (UV) light has powerful germ-killing properties and provides advantages to a wide range of sterilization applications such as the many HVAC UV light benefits. UV light emitted in the UVC range is proven to kill many types of microorganisms including bacteria and viruses, even mold and mildew. Other types of UV lamps such as UV ozone lamps also eliminate foul odor by eliminating volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from the air that cause odor and illness.

Most Important HVAC UV Light Benefits

The two most important benefits of UV lights in HVAC systems are that they prevent mold and mildew from accumulating inside the equipment, which makes your HVAC system run more efficiently and reduces energy consumption. The other greatest benefit is improving indoor air quality (IAQ) by eliminating bacteria and viruses that circulate throughout a home or office.

UV lights in HVAC systems provide a healthier living environment and improve efficient HVAC operation as well as providing the following benefits:

• Kills germs, viruses, and bacteria.
• Eliminates mold, mildew, and other allergens.
• Removes volatile organic compounds (VOCs)
• Eliminates foul odors.
• Improves HVAC efficiency.
• Reduces HVAC maintenance.
• Lowers monthly expenses and energy consumption.

HVAC UV Light Benefits Equipment

UVC germicidal lamps harness the power of UV radiation to kill microorganisms and when installed in heating, venting. and cooling (HVAC) systems, UV lamps provide many benefits. UVC radiation kills bacteria and mold that can build up inside an HVAC’s coils, which keep equipment cleaner, running more efficiently and requiring less maintenance. The inside of an HVAC unit is dark and damp, and a prime location for the build-up of mold, fungi, and bacteria. UV lights help to eliminate contaminants inside the HVAC system and in air-ducts that could be prone to spreading disease.

When UV lights are professionally installed inside an HVAC system, they target the coils where contamination is likely and prevent the growth and build-up of pollutants such as mold, mildew, pollen, dust, smoke, and soot. UV lights prevent the build-up of these contaminants which can reduce the performance of your HVAC unit and provide cleaner air to circulate throughout your home or office.

HVAC UV Light Benefits Indoor Air Quality

HVAC UV lights also prevent the spread of mold spores, fungi, bacteria, and viruses throughout your living area which significantly improves indoor air quality. UV lights help to prevent sickness from spreading by removing airborne pathogens before they spread throughout your living area. Killing these contaminants that cause illness at the source reduces allergies and asthma symptoms in people with asthma and respiratory illnesses.

When HVAC UV lights kill VOCs, they do more than just eliminate odor. VOCs are also known to cause many health problems including throat, nose, and eye irritation as well as headaches and nausea. By eliminating VOCs from circulating throughout your indoor air, you are improving the air quality and health of everyone in the building.

UVC Germicidal Lamps for HVAC

LightSources is a leading global supplier of high-tech germicidal UVC lamps designed and engineered for optimum germ-killing power. We offer UVC germicidal lamps in various sizes, types, and styles to suit any sterilization need including UV air disinfection, water and surface sterilization. Our lighting engineers offer custom designed and prototype solutions to meet the demands of OEMs large and small.

UV Light for Medical Use

Ultraviolet (UV) light is used for many purposes that promote health and wellness as there are many applications that harness the benefits of UV light for medical use.

UV Lamps Provide Many Health Benefits

UV light is measured in wavelengths mainly in the spectrum of 100 nanometer (nm) to 380 nm and is divided into three regions: UVA (320 – 400 nm), UVB (280 – 320 nm), and UVC (100 – 280 nm). UVC is short wave UV radiation and is completely absorbed by the ozone layer when emitted by the sun. UVA and UVB are the rays that reach the earth and are associated with the common sunburn as well as providing benefits like vitamin D and many other phototherapy treatments.

Scientists and lamp engineers such as the knowledgeable engineers at LightSources design and engineer UVC germicidal lamps to emit 254 nm, the most effective wavelength to kill viruses and bacteria. 185 nm ozone lamps are also effective in many sterilization applications. UV lamps designed to emit UVA and UVB wavelengths provide benefits to the medical industry in phototherapy lamps, as these wavelength emissions are proven effective to treat a host of medical conditions.

UV lamps provide many benefits in two distinct areas:

UVC Germicidal Lamps – UV light provides many benefits to the healthcare industry and many other environments with UVC germicidal lamps that eliminate harmful viruses and bacteria in the air, in water and on surfaces.

UV Phototherapy Lamps – UV lamps are used for medical phototherapy purposes, which is also called light therapy, where UV lamps are specifically designed to treat certain medical conditions.

LightSources and LightTech are world leading manufacturers of innovative UV lamps used in germicidal and phototherapy applications, providing patented lamp products with first-to-market technology and solutions.

UV Light for Medical Use in Germicidal Applications

Germicidal UVC lamps provide health benefits to the medical industry and are used to provide effective sterilization to many environments. Germicidal lamps are used in medical facilities, doctor’s offices, and hospitals as well as many public places and commercial institutions to stop the spread of disease. UVC germicidal lamps sterilize that air when installed in HVAC systems or in upper room air irradiation units to prevent airborne illnesses. Germicidal lamps are also used to eliminate harmful microorganisms and water and on surfaces.

Hospitals sterilize surgical equipment as well as surfaces such as in operating rooms and patient rooms. UVC robots are utilized in many hospitals and public places to further eliminate harmful pathogens. UVC light used in addition to regular cleaning protocol is proven to significantly decrease virus and bacteria load and can even eliminate superbugs like antibiotic resistant bacteria. UV sterilization helps to promote health and wellness in many public places such as workplaces, schools, libraries, airports, bus stations, and residential homes.

UV light promotes health and wellness in many medical applications with effective sterilization on surfaces, in water and in air sterilization systems.

UV Light for Medical Use with Phototherapy Lamps

Medical phototherapy lamps are used under a doctor’s supervision with specially designed lamps administering UVA, UVB and narrowband UVB emissions. Phototherapy UV lamps treat a host of medical conditions such as variety of skin conditions, mood disorders and successfully treat neonatal jaundice. Some of the most common applications of UV light for medical use include effective treatment for many skin conditions including acne, eczema, psoriasis, and vitiligo.

UV Light for Acne Treatment – acne vulgaris affects more than 85% of adolescents and is the most common skin condition in the U.S. a combination of red light and blue light is proven to be effective in treating acne to prevent new outbreaks and alleviate symptoms of current outbreaks. Blue light emitted at 415 nm is effective at killing bacteria to prevent acne outbreaks and red light emissions between 600 to 700 nm stimulates cell regeneration, healing and soothes inflammation.

UV Light for Eczema – eczema is a common skin condition which affects more than 30 million Americans with various types and symptoms. Eczema patients may experience different symptoms which can include dry, rough, scaly, itchy and inflamed patches of skin. UVA, UVB and narrowband UVB phototherapy lamps have been proven effective to improve symptoms and prevent outbreaks of eczema.

UV Light for Psoriasis – psoriasis causes patients to experience patches of dry, scaly and itchy skin with outbreaks of raised, hardened lesions. Topical ointments can provide relief for mild symptoms although UV phototherapy lamps can be more effective to help patients with severe psoriasis symptoms.

UV Light for Vitiligo – vitiligo is a skin condition that is considered an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks the pigment forming cells in the body, melanocytes, causing white patches to appear on the skin. A UVB phototherapy lamp for vitiligo used in combination with medication is effective to put pigment back into the white patches.

UV light provides these medical benefits to these skin conditions and also treats forms of mood conditions such as Seasonal Affective Disorder, or SAD.

UV Light for Depression – many people who live in the northern hemisphere experience seasonal depression during the winter months. Symptoms of SAD are like symptoms of nonseasonal forms of depression which can become severe and include social withdrawal, weight gain, fatigue, and a lack of interest in normal activities. Phototherapy lamps help to combat symptoms when the days get shorter with less natural sunlight and are considered the most effective form of treatment for SAD.

UV light for neonatal jaundice – this condition occurs in newborns and causes yellowing of the skin and the whites of eyes as toxins build in the body from underdeveloped liver function. Treatment with UV blue light prevents brain damage that can occur with elevated levels of bilirubin in the blood and breaks down bilirubin into substances that are safely excreted through waste. UV lights to treat jaundice are also called bili-lights for this reason.

LightSources Offers Quality UV Lamps for Medical Use

LightSources and LightTech design and engineer UV medical phototherapy lamps to treat all these conditions as well as UV germicidal lamps for medical use with effective sterilization and disinfection. Our vast resources including a state-of-the-art glass factory in Europe combined with the leading high-tech lamp designers and engineers provide the most effective and cost-efficient solution for nearly any application requiring UV light for medical use.

Custom Designed PLL Lamps

Germicidal compact lamps are useful in a wide range of applications and industries, including air and surface disinfection. This type of lamp is broken down into one of two primary categories, short (PLS) or long (PLL). PLL lamps provide higher energy density in a compact footprint versus that of traditional linear lamps.

Due to this compact nature, these low-pressure mercury UVC PLL lamps provide germicidal solutions in applications where full-size germicidal lamps may not be an option. Regardless of type, PLL and PLS compact germicidal lamps feature high germicidal efficacy and can aid in the reduction/disinfection of viruses, bacteria, and harmful pathogens in air, water and surface applications.

Compact UVC Germicidal PLL Lamps

Compact PLL germicidal lamps are highly effective at providing disinfection solutions in cost-efficient, geometrically small foot prints. PLL lighting has become a popular choice with plug in versatility typically available in either 2-pin or 4-pin bases.

Germicidal Applications for UVC PLL Lamps

UVC PLL lamps designed to emit ultraviolet radiation in the range of 254 nm is proven to be extremely effective at eliminating various types of harmful pathogens including many types of viruses and bacteria. UVC germicidal lamps are also proven to prevent the buildup of mold and mildew in many environments. UVC ozone lamps are engineered to emit precisely 185 nm of UV radiation and provide sterilization and oxidizing effects such as order control.

UVC lamps designed to produce ozone work in the air without needing direct contact as opposed to 254 nm lamps which must be pointed at the point of sterilization without obstruction. Many types of sterilization systems utilize UVC lamps including short and long PLL lamps to provide a healthier environment with purified air, sterilized water and surfaces.

Germicidal UVC lamps eliminate harmful microorganisms in water and even kill viruses and bacteria that chlorine does not. Compact CFL UVC bulbs provide sterilization solutions to many surface disinfection systems with countless application uses in public, commercial, industrial, and residential settings. UVC lamps help to provide a safer environment in hospitals, restaurants, schools, public transportation systems and more with endless application possibilities.

LightSources Offers Custom Engineered PLL Lamps

LightSources and valued partner LightTech are leading global suppliers of UV lamps providing lighting solutions to a wide range of industries and applications. LightTech’s state-of-the-art, modern glass factory in Europe offers custom design and engineering of UV lamps and UVC germicidal lamps, including compact plug-in lamp solutions. CFL bulbs from the LightSources group are available in both quartz glass and soft glass produced from the finest materials with strict quality control.

The high-tech lighting engineers at LightSources offer custom-designed and engineered UVC lamps with custom phosphor blends, prototype design solutions for various types of sterilization systems and production for low and high volume requirements. We follow a strict quality policy aligned with our ISO9001:2015 registration and produce fluorescent and Mercury lamps from the highest of quality materials. Our CFL bulbs are designed to emit 90% of total rated UVC electromagnetic radiation for high-performance up to end-of-life.

Far UVC Lamps: Safe and Effective

Far UVC lamps are ultraviolet lamps designed to emit wavelengths in a range of 222 nanometers (nm) as opposed to the typical range of standard germicidal 254 nm UV lamps. There is an increase in Far UVC light technology interest and accessibility with research showing an effective sweet spot to kill germs with people present.  Healthcare facilities and practitioners are discovering the benefits of far UVC light with increased safety and high efficacy.

Far UVC 222nm lamps with the right lamp design can prevent the emission of the longer and more harmful wavelengths, providing the same effectiveness in killing viruses, bacteria, and antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Far UVC Lamps are Increasing in Usage

UVC lamps have been used for decades as scientists have known that UVC radiation rapidly and effectively kills bacteria, viruses, and microbes. UVC lamps have been shown to effectively eliminate up to 97.7% of harmful pathogens in hospital operating rooms as reported by Technology Networks and many other proven scientific studies.

So why would health practitioners or other users of UVC disinfection technology want to make the switch to Far UVC lamps? Far UVC lamps offer increased safety over standard 254 nm UV lamps without jeopardizing effectiveness.

Increased Safety with Far UVC Lamps

Conventional UVC germicidal lamps are effective at eliminating harmful pathogens in the air, in water, and on surfaces, although they cannot be used in occupied spaces due to potential health hazards. Standard 254 nm UVC germicidal lamps are known to be dangerous to human skin and eyes, making it important that those UV germicidal systems be closed systems with protection mechanisms.  People should also wear proper personal protective equipment (PPE) when servicing or installing traditional UV disinfection systems.

Far UVC lamps, on the other hand, emit shorter wavelengths that significantly reduce the risk of human exposure, and some experts might even suggest that risk is reduced to zero.  This allows for Far UVC light disinfection systems to run constantly without causing harm as opposed to traditional UVC lamps that can only operate in unoccupied spaces.

Far UVC Light Disinfection Effectiveness

Far UVC light at 222 nm allows for safe, continual disinfection and is highly effective at deactivating and destroying pathogens. Far UVC lamps in line of sight disinfection systems can destroy airborne pathogens at the speed of light. According to an article published at UVReporter.com, far UVC light deactivates and destroys pathogens. 254nm light is proven highly effective at inactivating pathogens, although in some cases those pathogens could be reconstituted through a photoreactivation process. Far UVC light is known to deactivate and destroy many pathogens including bacteria, viruses, fungi, protozoa, mold, and other harmful microorganisms.

While far UVC technology has not had the extensive research that traditional UVC wavelengths have had, several studies do suggest that far UVC radiation at 222 nm is effective at destroying a wide range of harmful pathogens. This includes viruses such as influenza, (H1N1), alpha and beta coronaviruses, including the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19, and adenovirus, according to a scientific report, Far-UVC light: A new tool to control the spread of airborne-mediated microbial diseases. 

In another recent study published in March 2022, Far-UVC (222 nm) efficiently inactivates an airborne pathogen in a room-sized chamber, scientists at several different universities came together to test the efficacy of far UVC light in a large room-sized chamber with a ventilation rate the same as a typical office or home, which is about three air changes per hour. The experiment included continuously spraying an aerosol mist of S. aureus bacteria into the room, a microbe that is slightly less sensitive than coronaviruses to far UVC light to provide a conservative model. Far UVC lamps were turned on in commercially overhead systems and in just five minutes, 98% of the airborne microbes were inactivated even though they were continually being sprayed into the room.

This same study verified the high efficacy of far UVC lamps which is often measured in terms of equivalent air changes per hour, with this study producing an equivalent of 184 air exchanges per hour. This far exceeds other approaches to disinfecting occupied spaces indoors where an equivalent of 5 to 20 air changes per hour is typical.

A Future for Far UVC Light

Given the safety and efficacy of far UVC light at 222 nm, the future looks bright for increasing the usage of far UVC lamps which can provide disinfection of the air with any excess radiation extending to disinfecting surfaces. This provides a big advantage of far UVC technology over traditional 254 nm UV lamps.

ASHRAE Standard to Control Infectious Aerosols and UVC Air Cleaning Technology

ASHRAE, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, was founded in 1959 as a result of the merger between the American Society of Heating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, ASHAE, and the American Society of Refrigerating Engineers, ASRE. The mission of ASHRAE is to advance the science of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration to serve humanity for a sustainable and healthy environment for all.

ASHRAE Drafts New Standard to Control Infectious Aerosols

As part of this mission, ASHRAE has recently drafted a new standard, 241P, Control of Infectious Aerosols, that addresses indoor air quality and its contribution to the spread of airborne pathogen-based diseases. This new standard outlines the minimum requirements for HVAC systems with a focus on reducing the risk of transmission of airborne diseases, including influenza as well as COVID-19. Standard 241P is aimed at offering guidance to create healthier environments where people live, work, and play.

This pathogen mitigation standard 241P recognizes the importance of air changes per hour (ACH) to control and suppress the spread of airborne pathogens. One of the most important points of focus of the standard is that buildings would be required to achieve 4 to 6 full-volume air changes per hour.

Traditionally, ACHs have only referred to mechanical ventilation, swapping inside air with fresh outdoor air, although this new standard includes “air cleaners” as equivalent technologies that, when deployed in a building, can add to the ACH count. HEPA filters, as well as UVC air purification systems, are both considered mechanisms that add to the ACH count when deployed in buildings.

Standard 241P is expected to have final approval in June, with an anticipated publishing date in July 2023. The global COVID-19 pandemic was one catalyst to spur the development of the standard to protect people against the spread of pathogens by improving ventilation and indoor air quality in occupied buildings. This is the first standard of its kind that addresses the concept of mitigating pathogen spread and addresses long-range transmission with minimum requirements for filter and air cleaner safety and effectiveness, room air distribution, and equivalent outdoor air, including ventilation, filtration, and air cleaning. The areas of focus include system operation, maintenance tasks, residences, and healthcare facilities, as well as the development and implementation of Building Readiness Plans.

Air Cleaners to Improve Indoor Air Quality

There are various mechanisms that are proven to improve indoor air quality, including:

• Ventilation – mechanical air exchange
• Filtration – pushing air through a filter
• UVC lamps – efficient and effective for air purification

UVC and Far UVC lamps equate to significantly more air exchanges than mechanical ventilation alone. ASHRAE offers guidance in the usage of UVC disinfection lamps in HVAC systems in Chapter 62, Ultraviolet Air and Surface Treatment. UVC air purification is becoming increasingly popular due to concerns about the quality of indoor air and the ability of UVC radiation to interrupt the transmission of harmful pathogens, including influenza viruses, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB), pathogenic organisms as well as potential bioterrorism threats.

UVC lamps used in room settings such as upper room UVGI systems and air handling systems inactivate harmful microorganisms by damaging the structure of nucleic acids and proteins (DNA) at the molecular level. This inactivates the pathogen and makes them incapable of reproducing, thus rendering them harmless. Upper room, also called upper air, devices installed in occupied spaces control suspended bacteria, viruses, and fungi contained in droplet nuclei that have the potential to be transmitted through HVAC systems. In duct UVC systems installed in air handling units control pathogens and bioaerosols in recirculated air and help to control microbial growth on cooling coils and other mechanical surfaces.

AHSRAE Standards Help UVC System Designers of Air Purification Systems

UVC air purification systems rely on performance data from UV lamp manufacturers, including data from the germicidal lamp, the ballast, and fixtures, as well as the expertise of system designers. Many UV germicidal lamp manufacturers utilize a variety of methods to determine the UV dose delivered. ASHRAE offers standards that help UVC system designers to choose the correct components and rate equipment performance.

ASHRAE Standard 185.1, Method of Testing UV-C Lights for Use in Air-Handling Units or Air Ducts to Inactivate Airborne Microorganisms, establishes methods for testing and evaluating the effectiveness and the ability of UVC lights to inactivate airborne pathogens when installed in typical ventilation systems.

ASHRAE Standard 185.2, Method of Testing Ultraviolet Lamps for Use in HVAC&R Units or Air Ducts to Inactivate Microorganisms on Irradiated Surfaces, establishes similar test methods to measure the intensity of UV lamps on irradiated surfaces when operating in typical HVAC&R conditions.
UVC lamps have been used for years in HVAC systems, although are gaining in popularity and usage due to their high efficacy in eliminating the spread of airborne pathogens and harmful microorganisms.

UVC Lamps Proven Effective And Efficient In Air Handling Systems

According to a study published by Columbia University, far-UVC light rapidly reduces active airborne microbes to make indoor air quality essentially as safe as outdoor air. This study revealed that far UVC light bulbs took less than five minutes to reduce microbes by more than 98%, even as microbes were continually sprayed into the room. As long as the lights were on, the level remained very low. This study suggests that far UVC lamps installed in the ceiling could be an extremely effective passive technology to reduce person-to-person transmission of airborne mediated diseases such as influenza and COVID in indoor settings. This lowers the risk of the spread of these pathogens as well as mitigates the next pandemic

In this study, far UVC lamps provided the equivalent of 184 equivalent air exchanges per hour. As the efficacy of indoor air quality treatment systems is typically measured in terms of equivalent air changes per hour, this study showed that UVC lamps far surpass any other approach to disinfecting occupied spaces indoors.

Far UVC lamps are UV lamps designed to emit wavelengths in the range of 222 nm, compared to typical UVC germicidal lamps, which are commonly designed to emit wavelengths in the range of 254 nm. 254 nm lamps are highly effective at killing a variety of harmful germs, although human exposure can cause damage to the skin and eyes. 222 nm lamps are becoming more popular as they are proving to deliver the same or greater germicidal efficacy in many applications and are safer for use in occupied spaces.

Another study reported by the U.S. Department of Energy conducted by Edward Nardell, MD Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, showed that Mercury GUV (germicidal UV) lamps added the equivalent of 24 equivalent active air changes per hour and consumed the same energy as comparable fluorescent lights. Since the CDC recommends 6 to 12 ACH ventilation in hospital procedures and isolation rooms, this study shows that UVC germicidal lamps once again surpass requirements for air changes per hour.

Germicidal UV Lamps for Air Purification Systems

Germicidal UV lamps, including far UVC lamps, are highly effective and efficient and can treat a large volume of air at once. Upper room UVGI systems provide significant improvement to air changes per hour, and whole room far UVC systems additionally increase ACH activity to improve air quality and most of the room around occupants. HVAC UVC systems clean and treat the air with required air capture, whereas far UVC is less dependent upon air movement and disinfects air in the room around occupants.
Consult with an experienced UV lighting company, such as the leading global supplier, LightSources, to learn more.

HVAC UV Bulbs Improve Indoor Air Quality

Many people want to know if HVAC UV bulbs really work to improve indoor air quality in heating, ventilation, and cooling (HVAC) systems. HVAC UV light bulbs can be highly effective at killing bacteria, viruses, mold, mildew, and fungi when using the right type of germicidal UV bulbs and with the proper installation.

Do HVAC UV Bulbs Really Work?

HVAC UV light bulbs prevent the accumulation of harmful microbes on internal components such as heat transfer coils which are exceptionally vulnerable to contamination due to the dark environment combined with condensation. Using HVAC UV light bulbs helps to improve the condition of mechanical components and reduce necessary maintenance by maintaining clean and sanitary parts free from microbial buildup.

HVAC UV bulbs also improve indoor air quality by sanitizing the air and inactivating mold spores that pass through HVAC ductwork. Ozone lamps in HVAC systems can also reach where direct UV exposure cannot and eliminates volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and foul odors from the air. Using UV bulbs in HVAC systems helps prevent harmful microorganisms from circulating throughout the ductwork in your home or office.

UVC Germicidal Bulbs for HVAC

HVAC UV light bulbs must be UVC germicidal bulbs to provide sterilization effectiveness. Ultraviolet light includes wavelengths in the range of 100 to 400 nm and is divided into three bands:

• UVA is the longest wavelengths at 315 to 400 nm
• UVB is in the range of 282 315 nm
• UVC wavelengths are in the range of 100 to 280 nm

UVC radiation, specifically in the range of 254 nm, is proven highly effective at eradicating microorganisms quickly upon exposure by altering the DNA and preventing harmful germs from replicating. UVC radiation in this wavelength is proven to eliminate many types of harmful viruses and bacteria, including stubborn antibiotic-resistant bacteria and harmful coronaviruses, including the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19.

Far UVC is an even shorter wavelength in the range of 222 nm and is also effective for surface and air sterilization applications, and is safer for human exposure. 254 nm lamps are used in many surface, water, and air sterilization applications, although they should not be used in direct contact with human exposure. 222 nm lamps are providing alternative solutions with effective sterilization and safer usage.

HVAC UV Bulbs Improve Indoor Air Quality

UVC lamps for HVAC systems improve indoor air quality when installed by a professional to ensure safe and effective installation. HVAC professionals have knowledge of the correct placement and direction of UV bulbs for effective sterilization, considering the humidity and temperature levels in the home. Upper-Room Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI) systems are located above occupied spaces and kill airborne pathogens for cleaner, healthier air.

UVGI and Air Filtration Filters

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, recommends a layered approach with the proper ventilation to mitigate the spread of disease and lower exposure. Using High-Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) is important to trap larger particles which could shield microorganisms from UV radiation, reducing effectiveness. UVGI provide effective sterilization but should be used in conjunction with proper air filtration and cleaning measures, and they do not replace the need for HEPA filtration.

HVAC UV Light Bulb Systems

HVAC UV bulbs provide two different types of sterilization, cleaning the coils and equipment for longer-lasting, cost-efficient operation and air sterilization in HVAC ducts. UV bulbs for HVAC disinfectants sterilize the air as it cycles through return ducts. Interior reflective surfaces maximize UVC light effectiveness in all directions. For sterilizing coils, UVC lamps are installed to target vulnerable components, including coils, filters, and condensation pans. UV light for HVAC systems prevents microbial growth in hard-to-reach places, including seams, grooves, and edges.