UV Light in HVAC Effectiveness

Direct exposure to UVC lights can be hazardous to skin and eyes, although with the right type of germicidal lamps and proper installation, there is proven evidence of high germicidal UV light in HVAC effectiveness.

How Do UV Lights in HVAC Systems Work?

UVC lights are designed to emit particular wavelengths in the range of 254 nanometer (nm), which is effective at penetrating the DNA of microorganisms. The UV radiation is absorbed by the cells’ DNA which renders them unable to produce the needed proteins to survive or replicate. UV light does not immediately kill the germs, although it shortens their life span, and nullifies their ability to replicate and cause harm.

UVC light can penetrate the cells of viruses, bacteria, mold spores, fungi, and various germs when they pass through a heating, ventilation and cooling (HVAC) system. Strategically installing germicidal UVC lamps in HVAC units helps to purify the air and sterilize HVAC equipment for longer, more efficient use. UV light in HVAC effectiveness is proven to improve indoor air quality for a healthier indoor environment.

UV Light in HVAC Effectiveness

There are several studies that evaluate UV light in HVAC effectiveness with promising results for UV light in HVAC systems in hospitals, offices, and schools. According to a study conducted by American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, ASHRAE, and Penn State University, ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) showed successful results for reducing the amount of fungi in air handling units and cited improvements in children with mold induced asthma when installed in schools.

UV light has been used in hospitals and endorsed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, CDC, for controlling the spread of tuberculosis in hospitals and healthcare facilities. UVC radiation is known to kill harmful microorganisms even antibiotic-resistant “superbugs” like MRSA, SARS and is even proven to be effective at killing the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes the novel COVID-19.

How are UV Lights Installed in HVAC Systems?

Treating the volume of air in your home or office is immense, and only possible when installed properly in air handling units or HVAC systems since humans cannot be exposed to UVC light. Since the HVAC system draws air into the evaporator unit, forcing it out through air vents and registers throughout the home, UV light installed in the evaporator unit sterilizes the air as it circulates.

Only a professional HVAC technician should install UV lights in HVAC systems for germicidal effectiveness. The lights must be installed in the right area with the right angle of exposure to sterilize the air as it passes through. The HVAC technician will clean the air handler system thoroughly prior to installing UV lights and should inspect all ductwork for leaks. With the right installation by a certified technician, UV lights in HVAC effectiveness will be at maximum levels to prevent airborne infection.

High Performance Germicidal UV Lights for HVAC Effectiveness

LightSources is recognized worldwide as a leading manufacturer of high quality, high performance UV germicidal lights found in many applications. UVC lamps by LightSources provide germicidal solutions to water, surface and air sterilization systems with proven UVC effectiveness. We offer a wide selection of UVC lamps in various sizes, types, and styles as well as customized engineering solutions to meet customer specifications.

Our lighting specialists possess deep technical knowledge of UVC radiation and lamp design to deliver cutting edge germicidal solutions. We conduct ongoing research and development for continual improvement and offer proprietary technology that improves lamp life and performance. LightSources is an ISO9001:2015 registered supplier of UV lamps and lighting solutions including proven UVC germicidal lamps for use in a variety of industries and applications.

222 nm UV Light: Far UVC Effectiveness and Safety

Ultraviolet light in the UVC range is proven to have germicidal properties, with 222 nm UV light showing high efficacy and safety. Standard UVC germicidal lamps emit wavelengths at 254 nm, proven to have high germicidal effectiveness by breaking the DNA bonds inside the nucleus of harmful microbes and pathogens. 254 nm UV lamps, however, are not safe to use when humans are present and pose risks to damaging skin and eyes.

222 UV lamps are showing the same germicidal properties and are much safer than 254 nm lamps due to the way 222 nm wavelengths are absorbed by the protein layer of cells. 222 nm UV light is also known as Far UVC and is considered safe to use around humans without risk of human exposure to skin or eyes.

222 nm UV Light Effectiveness

Both 222 nm and 254 nm UV lamps emit UVC wavelengths that inactivate viruses and bacteria. 222 nm UV light penetrates the microbe’s cell nucleus and breaks the DNA bond to prevent replication, thus rendering the cell harmless, the same as 254 nm UV lamps. 222 nm UV lamps go even further than inactivating the cell, however, and actually destroy pathogens.

When standard UVC lamps inactivate pathogens, there is a possibility that they could be reconstituted through a process called photoreactivation. This is not possible with 222 nm UV light which is known to deactivate and destroy most harmful human pathogens, including bacterium, viruses, fungus, mold, protozoa, and prions. Far UVC light has been the focus of many studies for over a decade, with many research studies showing high efficacy against a wide range of known harmful pathogens, including alpha and beta coronaviruses, influenza (H1N1), and adenovirus.

222 nm, Far UVC light is shown to safely and effectively inactivate human airborne coronaviruses, with research showing effectiveness at killing the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID 19. The study showed that even low doses of far UVC light inactivated 99.9% of aerosolized coronavirus. Much research has been conducted on the effectiveness of standard germicidal lamps for SARS-CoV-2, showing that UV light does kill COVID in air and on surfaces.

Far UVC lamps designed to emit 222 nm are also called Excimer lamps and are in use today in many applications, providing UVC germicidal protection with significantly safer operation.

222 nm UV Lamps: Excimer Lamp Effectiveness

Excimer lamps that emit 222 nm UV light are produced by creating a high-voltage discharge in a glass tube lamp with the proper mixture of gases to create 222 nm when energized. The intensity of the output can vary depending on the input power, and an optical filter can be included to ensure that harmful wavelengths above 230 nm are removed. 222 nm Excimer lamps are showing high effectiveness at killing viruses on surfaces, in the air, and safely inactivating airborne human coronaviruses.

Safety of 222 nm Far UVC Light

222 nm Far UVC light is highly effective at destroying harmful pathogens and is opening the door for many uses beyond traditional germicidal lamps due to the ability to operate safely in the presence of humans. 254 nm light used in standard germicidal lamps is absorbed by DNA to kill harmful cells but is not easily absorbed by proteins, which means it can penetrate deeper into human skin and damage the DNA of actively dividing skin cells which can lead to cancer.

222 nm UV light, however, is also highly absorbed by DNA but is also absorbed by proteins, which are contained in the outer membrane shell of all viruses and bacteria. This increases the effectiveness of 222 nm light against some microbes while also making it much safer for use around humans. Since 222 nm light is absorbed by proteins, it will not fully penetrate into the thick protein-rich layer of human cells.

The outer layer of human skin consists of dead skin cells with no active cells and provides an armored layer against 222 nm light. A similar layer of cells protects the eyes. Since 222 nm UV light never reaches the DNA of actively dividing cells, it is safer for use and human exposure.

Does UV Light Kill Candida Auris?

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

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

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

Understanding Candida Auris and its Spread

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

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

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

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

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

The Power of UV Germicidal Lamps

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

Scientific Evidence on UV Light and Candida Auris

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

Application of UV Light for Surface Sterilization

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

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

Long Lasting UV Light Bulbs, Applications & Solutions

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

UV Light Bulbs and the Electromagnetic Spectrum

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

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

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

Ultraviolet UV Light Bulbs

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

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

UV Light Tube and Bulb Applications

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

Blacklight

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

UV Curing

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

UV Germicidal

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

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

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

UV Medical Phototherapy Lamps

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

Tanning

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

Ozone Lamps

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

Protecting UV Light Tubes with Quartz Sleeves

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

LightSources: Leading Supplier of UV Light Bulbs

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

Where Is UV Light on the Electromagnetic Spectrum?

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

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

UV Light and Visible Light

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

UVA, UVB, & UVC

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

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

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

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

UV Light Improves Food Safety with UV Irradiation

Ultraviolet (UV) light is useful in many applications providing benefits far beyond illumination. UV light in the UVC range is known to provide powerful germ-killing properties for disinfection and sterilization in many environments. UVC germicidal lamps are used in many germ-killing applications, such as UV air purification, surface sterilization, and water disinfection.

UV lamps are very useful in food and beverage processing applications to prevent a variety of foodborne illnesses, protect against infestation from harmful pathogens, and preserve food keeping it fresher longer.

UV Food Irradiation FDA Approved

UV food irradiation has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, FDA,  for decades and is proven to be an entirely safe method to treat food products. UV food irradiation helps food processing plants to ensure foods are free from harmful diseases such as listeria, which can be found in raw foods and processed meats, vegetables, and dairy products. 

These foods can become contaminated after food processing, and using UV disinfection methods on food processing conveyor belts helps to keep contact surfaces sterile without using harsh chemicals. UV food irradiation helps to prevent listeria during final food packaging for many ready-to-eat foods.

UV Irradiation Protects Many Food Types

UV irradiation protects many types of foods and beverages, providing many benefits to food and beverage processors such as:

• Prevents insect infestation in grains, nuts, vegetables, or dried fruit
• Prevents potatoes, garlic, and onions from premature sprouting
• Prolongs freshness and extends shelf life, especially for bread and dairy products
• Prevents mold and mildew from accumulating on liquid sugar tanks
• Preserves nutritional value in food items
• Slows down the process of aging and ripening
• Reduces microorganisms found in herbs and spices
• Prevents listeria on conveyor belts, a big risk for ready-to-eat and meat food processors
• Reduces risk of health hazards from foodborne illnesses, particularly in meat, seafood, and poultry

UV food irradiation provides these benefits and more to ensure healthier food products with safer food processing. UV food irradiation reduces the need for chemical cleaners and additives, which are always a concern in the food and beverage industry. UVC lamps provide powerful benefits to food processors that improve food safety and reduce the risk of contaminated food, improving the bottom line with less waste.

LightSources is a leading global supplier of UVC germicidal lamps found in many sterilization applications, including food irradiation. Our lighting engineers possess deep technical knowledge of UVC electromagnetic radiation and custom design lamps to meet specific wavelength requirements. Contact us with any questions and to improve any germicidal application, including food irradiation with quality UVC lamps.