Does UV Light Kill COVID-19?

COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) is the disease caused by the novel coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, which is the cause of a viral outbreak that led to a devastating global pandemic. Public health systems and economies worldwide have been ravaged by this virus and many people are asking the question, “Does UV light kill Covid?”. As of December 31, 2021, the pandemic is experiencing a surge with the new Omicron variant and a total death toll of 5,439,895 globally, with more than 825,816 deaths in the United States. *UPDATE – as of 3/29/23, there have been 761,402,282 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 6,887,000 deaths globally, and 102,697,566 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 1,117,054 deaths in the U.S., as reported by the World Health Organization, WHO.

We put together a compilation of several studies showing the effectiveness of UV light for COVID, including how UVC light kills other coronaviruses, how SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted, and UVC lamps that are proven effective at eliminating betacoronaviruses and the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19.

Types of UVC Lamps Effective in Killing Covid

Ultraviolet (UV) light is a type of UV radiation from the sun, that has less energy than X-rays and gamma rays, although has more energy than visible light and radio waves. Sunlight emits natural UV rays in three broad spectrums, UVA, UVB and UVC. People can experience exposure to UVA and UVB rays from natural sunlight, although most UVC natural rays are absorbed by the ozone layer.

UVC light is replicated in manmade germicidal UVC lamps, which have been proven to kill many viruses and bacteria including beta coronaviruses. SARS-CoV-2 is in the beta coronavirus family similar to the MERS (Middle East Respiratory Syndrome) and SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome). UVC light is proven effective at eradicating MERS and SARS and recent studies show that UVC lamps are also similarly effective in killing the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19.

Does UV Light Kill Covid in Liquid?

UV light is an effective disinfectant and sterilizer, proven to kill viruses in water, on surfaces and in the air. UVC light effectively inactivates bacteria and viruses by damaging nucleic acids of cells, rendering them unable to replicate. An inactivated cell that is unable to replicate is considered harmless and unable to spread further disease. According to a recent study in the American Journal of Infection Control (AJIC), UVC light is proven effective at killing the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 in liquid cultures as “SARS-CoV-2 is highly susceptible to irradiation with ultraviolet light“.

UVC lamps are used in UV water disinfection applications such as waste water treatment plants, aqua culture, pool and spa and many additional water sterilization needs.

Does UV Light Kill COVID on Surfaces?

In Laboratories and all Surfaces

UVC germicidal lamps have been shown to be effective at killing the SARS-CoV-2 on surfaces in studies by the AJIC showing a 99.7% effective rate on laboratory surfaces. In order to achieve this high efficacy rate to disinfect surfaces they must be clean and experience direct exposure.

In Hospitals and Medical Facilities

For this reason, many hospitals and medical facilities have added UVC light disinfection to their regular cleaning regimen. UVC light disinfection helps to keep hospital rooms, surgical rooms, surgical and medical equipment sterile and free from harmful bacteria, including some antibiotic resistant superbugs.

UVC Lamps for Restaurant Disinfection

UVC disinfection is helping restaurant owners get back to business and keep their staff and patrons safe. UVC lamps are used in many areas of a restaurant such as disinfecting commercial kitchen surfaces and preventing grease build-up in exhaust fans. Learn the many benefits of UV lamps for restaurants.

UVC Germicidal Lamps

UVC lamps manufactured to emit light in the UVC range are the most effective to kill viruses and bacteria, with standard germicidal lamps designed to emit light at 254 nm. While this wavelength is proven highly effective it can also be damaging to human skin and eyes, therefore some germicidal lamps are designed to emit wavelengths between 207- 222 nm, referred to as Far-UVC light. Far-UVC light is effective at killing germs and viruses and is less hazardous to skin and eyes than other types of UVC lamps.

Does UV Light Kill COVID in the Air?

UV Air Sterilization

Many scientists believe that airborne particles are one of the most common modes of transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, thus sterilizing and disinfecting air in enclosed spaces should help to protect people against contracting the COVID-19 disease. UVC lamps in HVAC units are an effective method of sterilizing air and is utilized in many commercial, industrial, and residential air purification systems.

A recent study published in Scientific Reports concludes that UVC light is effective at killing airborne human coronaviruses including those that cause the common cold and the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Based on what we know about ultraviolet light, specifically UV light emitted in the UVC range, many studies are showing that UV light may be used as a valuable tool to kill the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 in liquid, on surfaces and in the air. Far-UVC light may be a good choice for some disinfection applications with less harmful health risks to human exposure.

Quality UVC Lamps Proven to Kill Viruses

LightSources is recognized internationally as a leading supplier of high-quality germicidal UVC lamps proven to kill many viruses and bacteria, with a modern state-of-the-art glass factory in Europe and several valuable partner companies providing custom engineering services. You can find our UV disinfectant lamps in many applications worldwide for water, air and surface sterilization.

Our engineers possess deep technical knowledge of UV radiation and lamp design, with a commitment to continual improvement through research and development. Our UV light proprietary technologies include LongLife+, which is a specialty coating engineered to increase the life of your lamp for up to 16,000 hours. We offer prototype solutions with rapid development, custom engineering to meet your specific and unique specifications and proprietary solutions for you that increase your brand awareness.

Killing Bacteria with UV Light

Killing bacteria with UV light is highly effective when using UVC germicidal lamps, designed to emit shortwave UVC radiation which is proven to kill many types of bacteria as well as viruses, mold, mildew, harmful pathogens and foul odors. UV light can be divided into UVA 320-400 nm, UVB 290-320 nm, and UVC 100-290 nm, based on the wavelength, measured in nanometers (nm). UVC light when emitted from the sun is shorter wave than UVA and UVB and is entirely absorbed by the ozone layer.

UVC light exposure would cause damage to human skin and eyes and caution must be taken when UVC germicidal lamps are in use, although many types of UV see sterilization systems are designed to kill bacteria without posing a risk to human health.

How Does UV Light Kill Bacteria?

UV light has been used to kill bacteria for more than a century as this article points out when Finsen experimented with UV light 130 years ago, and then in 1877 Downes and Blunt published an article called “The Influence of Light Upon the Development of Bacteria”. UVC light emits a high-frequency, shortwave electromagnetic radiation that effectively kills bacteria, viruses and many harmful microorganisms by altering the DNA which renders the cells unable to replicate. This inactivation of the microbes causes cell death, mutations, and failure to reproduce thus rendering cells harmless.

What Types of Germs and Bacteria Does UV Light Kill?

UVC radiation is highly effective at eliminating many types of bacteria including drug-resistant bacteria called superbugs, viruses including many types of flu strains, beta coronaviruses including MERS, SARS, and the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19. Some of the most stubborn bacteria that UVC light is proven to eliminate include:

• MRSA (Methicillin-Resistand Staphylococcus Aureus)
• Salmonella
• ESBL-producing Escherichia coli (E. coli)Vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium (VRE)
• Clostridium difficile
• Multidrug-resistant pseudomonas
• Carbapenemase-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (KPC)

UVC light effectively eliminates these types of bacteria and many others up to 99.99%, as reported in this study regarding the effectiveness of ultraviolet air and surface sterilization systems.

Killing Bacteria with UV Light: Effective in Many Environments

UVC germicidal lamps are used in a wide range of sterilization applications providing effective disinfection of water, surfaces, and air.

Water UV sterilization – germicidal lamps are used to kill harmful microorganisms and bacteria in water with UVC radiation in many environments including pools and spas, wastewater treatment, drinking water, aquaculture, ballast water treatment for ships and many other types of water sterilization needs. UV lamps are one of the most effective water sterilization methods and are proven to inactivate pathogens such as Cryptosporidium and Giardia, which chlorine is unable to treat.

Surface UV sterilization – UVC lamps are used to disinfect and sterilize surfaces in many industries and applications including hospitals, restaurants, schools, commercial and industrial properties and public places.

Hospitals – UVC lamps sterilize surgical equipment, operating rooms, patient rooms, patient beds, surfaces, restrooms, and many other surfaces. According to a study published by Duke University, UV light can help hospitals cut transmission of four major drug resistant superbugs. Hospital acquired infections are common when patients stay overnight in a room known to have had a positive culture of a drug-resistant infection from a previous patient.

Restaurants – UVC lamps sterilize tables people eat on, kitchen counter surfaces, kitchen exhaust fans, walk-in freezers to prevent mold, over delis and in refrigerators.

Food Irradiation – UV germicidal irradiation, UVGI, is highly effective at preserving food and killing foodborne illnesses including E. Coli and Salmonella.

Air – UV air purification efficiently disinfects and sterilizes air without the use of hazardous waste or byproducts. UV lamps are used in air purification systems such as upper room UVGI systems, in HVAC systems sterilizing furnaces and air conditioning units. UVC lamps for air purification eliminate airborne viruses as the air flows in front of the UVC radiation and they also prevent the buildup of mold and mildew inside air condenser units which commonly occurs in these dark, damp places. UV air purification provides cleaner and healthier air for everyone to breathe in any environment whether residential, commercial, or industrial. Eliminating airborne microorganisms and foul odors including volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as sulfides, mercaptans and ammonia improves indoor air quality for all.

Killing bacterial with UV light in these applications and many others such as in commercial and industrial properties and public transportation systems is a good way to help improve public health and safety.

Advantages of Killing Bacteria with UV Light

There are many advantages of using germicidal lamps to kill bacteria with UV light. Some of the most recognizable benefits of UVC sterilization include:

• No need to purchase, store, or dispose of dangerous chemicals
• No harmful byproducts from added chemical use
• UV lamps are low maintenance
• UVC sterilization is simple and safe although should be installed by a professional
• Highly effective, immediate sterilization
• Affordable with low operating expenses
• Proven ability to kill bacteria, viruses, mold, mildew and fungi

High-Quality Germicidal UVC Lamps

LightSources offers high-quality germicidal UVC lamps which are long-lasting and economical to operate. We offer a wide variety of germicidal lamps in standard and high output, quartz germicidal lamps, quartz compact and GU lamps, standard and high-output softglass lamps, and softglass compact lamps.
Standard low pressure mercury lamps provide the highest efficiency with 40% of a lamps’ electrical power converted into UVC radiation at 254nm. For applications requiring the highest UVC output, high-output mercury lamps are the best choice as they provide approximately twice the UVC output. In both standard and high-output (HO) UVC lamps, liquid mercury droplets collect at the lamp’s “cold spot.” As it reaches peak temperature, it creates a mercury vapor that produces maximum UVC output.

By operating on a lower current (between 180 and 425mA), soft glass lamps are available in standard and high output selections and provide a germicidal efficiency of 30%. The lamps are ozone free and best used for simple disinfection applications that only require a wavelength of 254nm. Other highly efficient low pressure mercury lamps are amalgam lamps. These lamps use a mercury amalgam mix to control the mercury vapor pressure. Instead of a “cold spot,” the lamp’s “amalgam spot on pellet” is used to regulate mercury vapor pressure. Amalgam lamps yield up to three times the UVC output of a standard low pressure mercury lamp of the same length. Your application will determine the type of UVC lamps that will work best for your needs.

Surface UV sterilization – UVC lamps are used to disinfect and sterilize surfaces in many industries and applications including hospitals, restaurants, schools, commercial and industrial properties and public places.

Hospitals – UVC lamps sterilize surgical equipment, operating rooms, patient rooms, patient beds, surfaces, restrooms, and many other surfaces. According to a study published by Duke University, UV light can help hospitals cut transmission of four major drug resistant superbugs. Hospital acquired infections are common when patients stay overnight in a room known to have had a positive culture of a drug-resistant infection from a previous patient.

Restaurants – UVC lamps sterilize tables people eat on, kitchen counter surfaces, kitchen exhaust fans, walk-in freezers to prevent mold, over delis and in refrigerators.

Food Irradiation – UV germicidal irradiation, UVGI, is highly effective at preserving food and killing foodborne illnesses including E. Coli and Salmonella.

Air – UV air purification efficiently disinfects and sterilizes air without the use of hazardous waste or byproducts. UV lamps are used in air purification systems such as upper room UVGI systems, in HVAC systems sterilizing furnaces and air conditioning units. UVC lamps for air purification eliminate airborne viruses as the air flows in front of the UVC radiation and they also prevent the buildup of mold and mildew inside air condenser units which commonly occurs in these dark, damp places. UV air purification provides cleaner and healthier air for everyone to breathe in any environment whether residential, commercial, or industrial. Eliminating airborne microorganisms and foul odors including volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as sulfides, mercaptans and ammonia improves indoor air quality for all.

Killing bacterial with UV light in these applications and many others such as in commercial and industrial properties and public transportation systems is a good way to help improve public health and safety.

Advantages of Killing Bacteria with UV Light

There are many advantages of using germicidal lamps to kill bacteria with UV light. Some of the most recognizable benefits of UVC sterilization include:

• No need to purchase, store, or dispose of dangerous chemicals
• No harmful byproducts from added chemical use
• UV lamps are low maintenance
• UVC sterilization is simple and safe although should be installed by a professional
• Highly effective, immediate sterilization
• Affordable with low operating expenses
• Proven ability to kill bacteria, viruses, mold, mildew and fungi

High-Quality Germicidal UVC Lamps

LightSources offers high-quality germicidal UVC lamps which are long-lasting and economical to operate. We offer a wide variety of germicidal lamps in standard and high output, quartz germicidal lamps, quartz compact and GU lamps, standard and high-output softglass lamps, and softglass compact lamps.
Standard low pressure mercury lamps provide the highest efficiency with 40% of a lamps’ electrical power converted into UVC radiation at 254nm. For applications requiring the highest UVC output, high-output mercury lamps are the best choice as they provide approximately twice the UVC output. In both standard and high-output (HO) UVC lamps, liquid mercury droplets collect at the lamp’s “cold spot.” As it reaches peak temperature, it creates a mercury vapor that produces maximum UVC output.

By operating on a lower current (between 180 and 425mA), soft glass lamps are available in standard and high output selections and provide a germicidal efficiency of 30%. The lamps are ozone free and best used for simple disinfection applications that only require a wavelength of 254nm. Other highly efficient low pressure mercury lamps are amalgam lamps. These lamps use a mercury amalgam mix to control the mercury vapor pressure.

Instead of a “cold spot,” the lamp’s “amalgam spot on pellet” is used to regulate mercury vapor pressure. Amalgam lamps yield up to three times the UVC output of a standard low pressure mercury lamp of the same length. Your application will determine the type of UVC lamps that will work best for your needs.

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.