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.

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.

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.

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.

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 UV Light Kills Bacteria on Surfaces

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

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

What Types Of Surfaces Can You Disinfect with UVC Lamps?

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

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

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

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

• Hospitals

• Restaurants

• Food irradiation

• Industrial commercial properties

• Schools

• Libraries

• Public transportation systems

• Residential homes

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

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

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 Phototherapy Helps Eczema

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

1. Atopic dermatitis

2. Contact dermatitis

3. Nummular eczema

4. Neurodermatitis

5. Seborrheic dermatitis

6. Stasis dermatitis

7. Dyshidrotic eczema

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

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

What to Expect with Phototherapy for Eczema?

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

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

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

Phototherapy Lamps for Eczema

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

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

How to Select a Light Therapy Box for Seasonal Depression

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

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

How Light Therapy Treatment for Depression Work

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.

UV Lamps in Your Furnace Disinfect the Air

Ultraviolet (UV) light has very distinct properties and when emitted in the short wave UVC range, it is very effective at killing germs.  UV light is emitted in different wavelengths known as UVA, UVB and UVC.  UVA and UVB reach the earth and are what causes the common sunburn, whereas UVC energy is absorbed by the ozone layer.  UV lamp engineers recreate UVC energy in powerful germ-killing lamps that quickly eliminate harmful pathogens to sterilize surfaces and the air in mere seconds. 

How Do UVC Lamps Sterilize Air?

UVC lamps sterilize the air by quickly eliminating harmful germs including bacteria and viruses.  UV wavelengths are measured in nanometers (nm) and UV light at the 254 nm range is proven very effective at destroying germs. UVC electromagnetic energy penetrates the DNA of these cells and renders them unable to replicate.  A cell that cannot replicate is considered harmless. 

UVC Lamps in Furnaces

UVC lamps are the key to disinfection in surface, water, and air purification systems.  UVC disinfection lamps can be mounted in furnaces and HVAC systems to eliminate the growth of mold or mildew inside the unit itself and to sterilize the air as it passes through the lamp’s wavelengths.  UVC germicidal lamps in furnaces help to prevent the spread of airborne disease while also improving equipment performance.  Mold and mildew tend to build up in damp, dark places like the inside of a furnace, UV lamps improve equipment performance for longer lasting use with less maintenance required. 

According to this article by the National Institutes of Health, UVC lamps effectively reduce contamination of fungi in HVAC air handling systems. 

UVC Lamps for Furnaces

LightSources offers germicidal UVC lamps for air purification when installed in furnaces and HVAC systems.  UVC germicidal lamps designed to emit 185 nm produce ozone, another type of disinfection lamp that can travel in the air with an oxidative effect to eliminate foul odors. UV lamps should be installed by a professional for furnace and HVAC disinfection. 

LightSources offers UVC germicidal lamp solutions to OEMs of all sizes.  We provide a wide selection of high-tech, high-quality germicidal lamps and offer custom designed solutions to meet the specifications of your air purification system.  Contact us to speak with an engineer about UV lamps for furnace disinfection applications.