How UV Germicidal Lamps Help Improve Food and Beverage Safety

Food and beverage safety depends on maintaining clean production environments, reliable water quality, and sanitary processing conditions. As manufacturers continue to seek efficient and environmentally friendly sanitation methods, ultraviolet (UV) technology has become an important solution. Germicidal UV lamps provide chemical-free disinfection for air, water, surfaces, and packaging materials, helping facilities reduce microbial contamination while supporting product quality and operational efficiency.

UV Disinfection in Food Processing Facilities

Food processing environments must control microorganisms that can affect product safety, shelf life, and regulatory compliance. Germicidal UVC lamps, most commonly operating at a wavelength of 254nm, inactivate microorganisms by disrupting their DNA and RNA. When exposed to the proper intensity and duration of UVC light, bacteria, viruses, mold, and yeast lose their ability to reproduce.

This makes UV technology valuable in processing areas where cleanliness is critical. Unlike some traditional sanitation methods, UV disinfection does not require chemical additives and does not leave residue behind. It can be used as part of a broader sanitation program to help maintain cleaner production environments.

Water Treatment Applications

Water is used throughout the food and beverage industry for washing, rinsing, processing, ingredient preparation, and equipment cleaning. Because water quality directly affects product safety, many facilities rely on UV disinfection to help reduce pathogens in process water.

UV water treatment is especially beneficial because it does not alter the taste, odor, or pH value of the water. It also provides rapid disinfection without the need for chemical handling or storage. Beverage manufacturers, bottling facilities, dairy processors, and food production plants can use UV systems to help ensure that water used in production meets strict quality requirements.

Surface and Equipment Disinfection

Germicidal UV lamps can also be used to disinfect surfaces and equipment in food production environments. Conveyor belts, packaging materials, containers, cutting surfaces, and processing equipment may all benefit from UV surface treatment when systems are properly designed.

Since UVC light works through direct exposure, proper lamp placement and exposure time are important. Surfaces must receive adequate UV intensity to ensure effective treatment. For this reason, UV systems are often integrated into controlled areas, enclosed chambers, or automated production lines where exposure can be managed consistently.

Air Quality and Packaging Protection

Airborne microorganisms can create contamination risks in food and beverage facilities, especially in areas where products are exposed before packaging. UV air purification systems can be installed in HVAC units or dedicated air treatment systems to reduce airborne bacteria, mold spores, and other contaminants.

Packaging materials can also be treated with UV technology before contact with food or beverages. This helps reduce microbial contamination without using liquid disinfectants that may affect packaging quality or introduce moisture. In high-speed production environments, UV treatment offers a fast and efficient way to support sanitary packaging processes.

Benefits of Chemical-Free Sanitation

There are several advantages to using germicidal UV lamps in food and beverage safety applications:

• Chemical-free disinfection with no harmful residue

• Effective treatment of air, water, surfaces, and packaging materials

• No impact on water taste, odor, or pH

• Fast treatment times that support efficient production

• Reduced dependence on chemical disinfectants

• Compatibility with automated and enclosed systems

In addition, microorganisms are not able to develop resistance to UVC light. This makes UV disinfection a reliable long-term technology for facilities focused on cleanliness, consistency, and safety.

Supporting Product Quality and Compliance

Food and beverage manufacturers must balance safety, efficiency, and product quality while meeting strict industry standards. UV technology supports these goals by providing an effective disinfection method that can be integrated into existing production systems.

By reducing microbial contamination in water, air, and on surfaces, UV systems help protect products throughout the manufacturing process. They also support sustainability initiatives by reducing chemical usage and minimizing waste associated with product defects or contamination events.

Advancing Food and Beverage Safety with UV Technology

As the food and beverage industry continues to modernize, germicidal UV lamps are becoming an increasingly valuable part of sanitation and quality control strategies. Their ability to provide fast, chemical-free disinfection makes them useful across processing, packaging, water treatment, and air purification applications. LightSources and our affiliated companies represent leading high-tech designers and manufacturers in the lamp industry today. Our UV germicidal lamps are used worldwide in many applications, including food and beverage safety, water purification, surface disinfection, and OEM-oriented systems. Please contact us to learn more about our extensive selection of UV lamp technologies.

The Role of UV Disinfection in Municipal and Industrial Water Treatment

Access to safe and reliable water is essential for communities and industries alike. As water quality standards become more stringent, many municipalities and industrial facilities are adopting ultraviolet (UV) disinfection as an efficient and environmentally responsible solution. Germicidal UVC technology provides a chemical-free method for eliminating harmful microorganisms, making it a practical choice for modern water treatment systems.

How UV Water Disinfection Works

UV water disinfection uses short-wavelength ultraviolet light, typically at 254nm, to inactivate microorganisms by disrupting their DNA and RNA. When pathogens are exposed to the appropriate intensity of UVC light for a sufficient duration, they lose the ability to reproduce and cause infection.

The effectiveness of UV treatment depends on several factors, including water clarity, flow rate, and system design. Proper pre-filtration and consistent exposure ensure that the UV light can penetrate the water and reach target microorganisms. When these conditions are met, UV systems deliver reliable and consistent disinfection without introducing additional chemicals.

Municipal Water Treatment Applications

Municipal water systems rely on UV technology to treat large volumes of drinking water and wastewater. UV disinfection is particularly valuable in addressing chlorine-resistant microorganisms such as cryptosporidium and giardia, which can pose significant public health risks.

Many wastewater treatment facilities also use UV systems as a final disinfection step before releasing treated water back into the environment. This approach helps reduce the presence of harmful pathogens while avoiding the formation of chemical byproducts commonly associated with traditional disinfectants.

As regulatory agencies continue to emphasize safer and more sustainable practices, UV disinfection has become an integral part of water treatment infrastructure in municipalities around the world.

Industrial Water Treatment Solutions

In industrial settings, water quality is critical for maintaining operational efficiency and meeting compliance standards. UV disinfection is used across a range of industries, including food and beverage production, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, and power generation.

These systems help control microbial contamination in process water, cooling systems, and wastewater streams. By reducing biological growth, UV technology can also minimize biofouling, which can otherwise impact equipment performance and increase maintenance requirements.

In addition, UV systems are often used in water reuse and reclamation processes, supporting sustainability initiatives by enabling safe recycling of water within industrial operations.

Advantages Over Chemical Disinfection Methods

UV water treatment offers several advantages compared to traditional chemical disinfection methods such as chlorine or ozone:

• Chemical-free process that does not introduce harmful byproducts

• Effective against a broad range of microorganisms, including chlorine-resistant pathogens

• No impact on water taste, odor, or pH levels

• Short treatment time with immediate disinfection results

• Reduced need for chemical handling, storage, and monitoring

These benefits make UV technology an attractive option for facilities seeking to improve safety while reducing environmental impact.

Supporting Environmental and Regulatory Goals

As environmental regulations continue to evolve, water treatment facilities are under increasing pressure to adopt sustainable and compliant solutions. UV disinfection supports these goals by reducing reliance on chemical treatments and minimizing the release of harmful substances into natural water systems.

Because UV treatment does not generate residual disinfectants, it helps protect aquatic ecosystems while maintaining high standards of water quality. This makes it particularly valuable in applications where treated water is discharged into sensitive environments.

Advancing Water Treatment with UV Technology

UV disinfection has become a trusted solution for both municipal and industrial water treatment, offering a reliable and efficient method for controlling microbial contamination. Its ability to deliver consistent performance without chemicals positions it as a key component of modern water treatment strategies.

With ongoing advancements in lamp technology and system design, UV solutions continue to improve in efficiency, scalability, and adaptability. Manufacturers specializing in germicidal UV lamps and OEM solutions play an imp

UV Ink Curing Systems Provide Quick Effective Results

UV Ink Curing Systems are specialty machines and equipment that use UV light to cure inks, adhesives or coatings onto various substrates.  When UV light is used at the proper wavelength, or nanometer (nm), and exposed to the specialty inks or coatings, a photochemical reaction occurs instantly drying the ink.  This UV curing occurs very quickly, providing a strengthened outer coating with a uniform finish.

Medium pressure UV (MPUV) lamps in the wavelength of 367nm to 400nm are extremely efficient in curing specialty inks, adhesives, bonds and coatings (varnishes, glazes and lacquers).  The LightSources Group provides UV lamps in the most effective wavelength for your application.

How UV Ink Curing Systems are Used

UV ink curing is used in many different commercial and industrial applications, providing an effective and efficient way to dry or cure inks during manufacturing processes.  For example, UV ink curing systems are used in screen printing machines providing an instant print and cure process all in one.  These sophisticated systems use vacuum systems to hold substrates in place while providing an all over 360° UV cure of flat or cylindrical products in many shapes and sizes.

UV lamps are used in curing systems for various industrial applications, curing inks, adhesives and coatings in manufacturing processes around the globe.  Medium pressure UV lamps can be used to cure coatings on various substrates, including plastic, glass, metal and wood.   Parts can be passed under UV lamps while on a conveyor, moving from one work station to another, while receiving a very important curing process along the way.

This efficient process eliminates the need for a labor intensive ink curing station, allowing high power UV lamps to do perform a vital finishing process.

Where are UV Curing Systems Used

UV ink curing systems are used in a wide array of commercial and industrial applications, providing a very effective curing process with maximum efficiency.  Some industrial applications for UV ink curing include:

• Marketing – any type of printing on either flat or cylindrical products for target marketing and brand awareness

• Packaging – quick drying of labeling on various packaged products including corrugated, plastic and glass

• Automotive – UV ink curing provides instant drying of interior automotive components such as knobs and buttons

• Aerospace – quick and effective curing of inks and adhesives create durable components

• Medical – UV curing provides drying and disinfection in pharmaceutical and medical applications

• Consumer Electronics – used for drying and adhesion in parts and components such as circuit boards, interior and exterior parts

• Adhesive Bonding – used in several industrial applications

• Instant curing of coatings such as varnishes, lacquers, glazes, and inks

LightSources has extensive experience providing superior UV lamps for all UV ink-curing systems used in virtually any application.  With in-depth knowledge of low-pressure, medium, and high-pressure UV radiation, our expert engineers are sure to provide you with the proper UV lamps for your application.

Benefits of UV Ink Curing Systems

There are many benefits of using UV ink curing systems over other methods such as heat curing, which can create noxious fumes and require expensive exhaust systems.  UV systems are less expensive to maintain than other systems. With high-performing UV lamps from LightSources, you will see a quick return on your investment, with long-lasting cost-efficient savings.

The photochemical reaction with UV curing happens so quickly there is minimal evaporation resulting in a consistent surface finish, compared with air and heat drying which allows for evaporation jeopardizing part integrity.  UV curing contributes to a superior quality product, satisfying customer specifications.

MPUV lamps by LightSources are ideal for high-speed production runs, where UV radiation of higher intensity is required for short exposure times.  Our lamps operate with more power, producing high currents for greater output.

The LightSources Group provides industries worldwide with high-performance UV lamps used in a multitude of applications including UV curing and UV germicidal lamps used for air, water and surface disinfection.

LightSources and our affiliated companies represent the leading high-tech designers and manufacturers in the lamp industry today.  Our products are used world-wide in a multitude of applications and industries such as our UV ink-curing system lamps that offer patent-protected, OEM-oriented solutions.  Please contact us to learn more about our large selection of specialty custom and standard lamps.

UV Purification of Water with Cost Effective Solutions

UV Purification of Water by UV Rays Effective and Safe

UV purification of water is used in many applications around the globe and is proven to be extremely effective at providing safe and healthy water for human and animal consumption.  Ultraviolet (UV) technology disinfects water from harmful bacteria and pathogens by exposing the water to a powerful UV wavelength of 254 nanometers (nm).

UV energy at 254nm is absorbed by the DNA membrane of harmful bacteria, fungi, and organisms, rendering it harmless and incapable of reproducing, which eradicates any potential dangers from the water.

Types of UV Lamps Used for Water Purification

The most common type of UVC germicidal lamp used for a UV water purification system is a low-pressure mercury and rare gas discharge UV lamp.  UVC germicidal lamps do not have a phosphor coating on the wall of the lamp like the typical fluorescent lamps.  The body of the lamp is filled with either pure Argon or a mix of gases including Mercury, Argon, Krypton, Neon, Xenon, or others depending on the application.

Purification of water by UV rays can be accomplished with a few different lamp styles, including Low-Pressure UVC lamps (LPUV), Low-Pressure Amalgam lamps, and Medium-Pressure high-powered lamps.   UV lamps can be made of Quartz, Quartz, and Titanium or soft glass.

These various lamps generate UV radiation at 185nm to 254nm for effective elimination of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).  UV radiation at 185nm generates ozone, or active oxygen, which is effective in killing almost any form of harmful virus, while 254nm is a powerful disinfectant.

UV Water Purification System Applications

UV Purification of Drinking Water  

Approximately ninety percent of the US population depends upon public drinking water systems for safe and clean water.  Bacteria and organisms in water are completely eradicated by UV radiation, and they do not build up a resistance to UV light.  UV radiation is proven to be a very safe method of water purification as it leaves no byproducts, does not change the pH balance of the water, and leaves no taste or odor.

Aquaculture Benefits from UV Purification

Aquaculture, including aquariums, fish hatcheries, rearing farms, and international shipping companies using oceanic ballast water, benefit from UV radiation.  Maintaining water quality without the use of chemicals is vital for the health of marine life.

UV systems for treating ships’ ballast water eradicate harmful oceanic microorganisms and prevent them from wreaking havoc by invading foreign seaports around the world.   Foreign invasion of sea creatures, bacteria, and viruses is known as one of the greatest threats to our world oceans, and UV purification of ships’ ballast water is an important contribution to the preservation of our global oceans and seas.

UV Purification of Wastewater

Water discharged by residences, businesses, and agriculture is known as wastewater and is contaminated with waste and bacteria.  UV purification of wastewater is effective for purifying wastewater, and can even kill pathogens that do not respond to chemical disinfection.

UV water purification systems are used in wastewater treatment plants by municipalities across the US, meeting all federal and state public safety standards for environmental protection.

Life Sciences

UV radiation is crucial to Life Sciences, including bio-engineering, biotechnology, medical and genetic testing, nanotechnology, food sciences, and pharmacology.  UV purification of water in these industries meets the strict requirements of the US Pharmacopeial Convention (USP), which is a nonprofit organization setting standards for the scientific industry regarding the quality and purity of medicines, food ingredients, and manufactured dietary supplements.

LightSources Provides Proven UV Water Purification Solutions

LightSources is a leading global supplier of LP UV and Amalgam lamps, MPUV lamps, and quartz sleeves with electronic ballasts, standard or custom fit for your UV water purification system.  Our proprietary Amalgam lamps provide three times the UVC output when compared to other standard lamps of the same size.

LightSources can adjust the level of gases to achieve the most optimum range of nm to meet your unique needs.  Our LP lamps produce UVC output consistently over broad temperatures ranging from 4°C to 48°C.  Custom designs can accommodate higher temperatures if required.

LightSources produces MPUV lamps that generate powerful UV radiation effective for various applications of UV water and air purification.

LightSources Vast Resources Allow Cost-Effective Solutions

We employ highly skilled engineers dedicated to discovering and improving innovative technologies to capture and enhance the powerful wavelengths of UV light.   By using that technology to create cost-efficient lighting products we are contributing to the overall health of our entire planet by providing safe and healthy drinking water and preserving our natural resources.

The LightSources group is a leading global supplier of the most effective UV water purification and air disinfection systems, with experience in all aspects of UV radiation technology.  Our resources, experience, and large capacity allow us to provide this technology to you with the most cost-effective solutions.

LightSources and our affiliated companies represent the leading high-tech designers and manufacturers in the lamp industry today.  Our products are used worldwide in a multitude of applications and industries such as our UV germicidal lamps that offer patent-protected, OEM-oriented solutions.  Contact us to learn more about our large selection of specialty custom and standard UV lamps for UV purification of water and air.

Lighting Specialist Provides Many Beneficial Uses of Light

Ultraviolet and fluorescent lamps provide a multitude of technologically advanced uses of light, with specialty lamp designers harnessing the power of UV radiation for many commercial and industrial purposes around the globe.  The LightSources Group is a leading specialty lamp manufacturer with in-depth knowledge of the many uses of light, providing effective and cost-efficient lamps for several applications.  Some of the most common uses of UV and fluorescent lighting include:

• Illumination – lighting for homes, offices, warehouses

• Signs – illuminating signs in any shape or size

• Backlighting applications – miniature fluorescent lighting is used in avionic display illumination and backlighting in computer and technological applications

• Phototherapy – UV lights provide health benefits to a wide range of illnesses

• Tanning – LightSources provides patented technology for maximum tanning effects

• UV Curing – UV curing solutions are used in many industries to improve quality and cost- efficient operations

• UVC Germicidal Applications – Ultraviolet energy is highly effective at eradicating bacteria and viruses from air, water and surfaces

Illumination with Specialty UV Lamps

Illumination is the obvious and most common of the many uses of light, with a wide variety of types and styles of ultraviolet and fluorescent lighting available.  Fluorescent light bulbs have a phosphor coating on the inside which converts the ultraviolet radiation into visible light.

LightSources offers specialty fluorescent lamps and lighting solutions in a wide array of standard lamp sizes with custom options available.  Our valued partner, LCD Lighting (LCDL), is a leading manufacturer of T2, T4, T5, T8 and T12 fluorescent lamps.  LCDL also provides CCFL sub-minis, HCFL-aperture and reflectors, compact fluorescent lamps and aquarium lighting solutions.

LCDL offers a wide range of standard sizes and custom sign designs for home or commercial use.

Phototherapy Uses of Light Provide Medicinal Benefits

UV lamps provide phototherapy to people that suffer from a wide range of medical ailments.  UV lamps are proven to improve skin conditions such as psoriasis, and improve mood disorders including depression and seasonal affective disorder.

Tanning

LightSources offers highly effective tanning solutions with patented and proprietary technology to provide greater tanning intensity with longer lasting effects.  Our low-pressure fluorescent, dual and triple-phosphor and high pressure facial tanning lamps deliver innovative solutions to tanning salons, providing greater satisfaction to clients.

We transform the many uses of UV light into the most effective tanning lamps available today with our cutting-edge tanning technology including: Multitone™, A-Power™, SolGlass® and Peak 2® technology with custom twist and swirl proprietary bases.

UV Curing

Ultraviolet radiation is used by OEMs and manufacturers worldwide to instantly dry paints, inks, coatings, and adhesives.  UV curing causes a chemical reaction on certain polymers that creates a strong, unbreakable bond or quickly dries outer surfaces.

UV curing is proven to be effective at curing and bonding, and more efficient and cost-saving than other methods such as air drying or chemical use.  Air drying can leave an inconsistent surface due to evaporation, and the use of chemicals can pose hazards for employees.  UV curing is used in many commercial and industrial processes around the globe, including screen printing, surface treating on various parts and components, and secondary applications in a variety of processes.

UVC Germicidal Lamps

Ultraviolet light delivered at short wavelengths provides very powerful disinfection properties that quickly eradicate viruses, bacteria, and microorganisms.  Germicidal applications are one of the many uses of light practiced worldwide for the disinfection of water, air, and surfaces.  UVC germicidal lamps are used in a wide variety of applications such as purifying the air in hospitals and doctor offices and disinfecting water in local municipalities’ wastewater treatment plants.

UVC germicidal water treatments are also used in the international shipping trade to treat the ballast water in ships, preventing the spread of dangerous and toxic marine organisms, and protecting the oceans of our planet.

UVC germicidal lamps are also beneficial in the food industry, disinfecting food purification systems in restaurants, grocery stores, and public areas.

The LightSources Group Develops Cutting-Edge Lighting Technology

The LightSources group is dedicated to research and development, providing cutting-edge lighting technology in the many uses of light available.  Our Amalgam lamps incorporate patented technology such as LongLife™, a specialty coating applied to all amalgam lamps to increase the UVC output up to three times what a standard lamp produces.

Our proprietary technology and patented products deliver high intensity with longer-lasting high performance.  When it comes to the numerous beneficial uses of light, no one knows this technology better than LightSources.  We provide custom solutions from experienced and skilled design engineers that have in-depth knowledge of all types of lamps and lighting solutions.

Good Lighting Deserves Great Frames

The right light can transform a room — but it also reveals every bare or poorly framed wall. Gallery at Lands End has been San Diego's trusted custom framing shop since 1971, helping homeowners display art and memories that shine under any light. Get a free quote.

The LightSources Group and our valued partner companies – LightTech, LCD Lighting, Voltarc and Cerlux – represent the leading manufacturers and high-tech lamps designers in the lighting industry today.  Contact us to learn more about our superior lighting solutions with custom designed lamp products for virtually any application. 

Quality Lamps Enhance Benefits of UV Air Purifier Systems

Originally posted at: https://www.light-sources.com/blog/quality-lamps-enhance-benefits-of-uv-air-purifier-systems/

UV air purifier systems are highly effective at disinfecting and purifying the air, proven to eradicate bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungi, spores, dust mites, and many other contaminants and volatile organic compounds (VOCs).  UVC lamps generate UV radiation at 254 nanometer (nm) which is required to penetrate the nucleic acid of the harmful cells, altering the DNA to render it harmless and unable to reproduce. UV radiation emitted at 185nm generates ozone which effectively removes odors from the air.

UV air purification systems are proven to be very effective at providing clean and healthy air and offer many benefits across a multitude of applications worldwide.  

UV Air Purifiers Improve Health in Many Environments

UV air purifiers are used in many environments and commercial applications to improve the health and well-being of residents and visitors.  UV germicidal lamps are commonly used in HVAC systems in public settings such businesses, hospitals, schools, labs and are also available for residential use to provide clean and healthy air to homeowners.  UV air purification promotes the health of employees when used in commercial settings, improving productivity and reducing downtime associated with airborne illnesses.  

Clean air is especially important to patients in hospitals and medical facilities as these individuals may already have a compromised immune system.  Medical facilities and scientific labs must also have clean air free from germs and live organisms. Schools can be a breeding ground for the spread of germs and illnesses.  Utilizing UV air purification in schools and campuses can drastically cut down on the spread of germs and diseases, decreasing student and faculty illnesses.

Benefits of UV Air Purifier Systems

UV air purifier systems provide many benefits over other methods of air purification.  These benefits can be quite significant and include the following:

• Quick results – UV air purification systems effectively kill harmful contaminants in just a few seconds of exposure

• Easy to Operate – UV air purifiers are very simple to maintain as there is no need to purchase, store, or dispose of any chemicals

• Low Maintenance – Very little if any maintenance is required other than changing a bulb and keeping your system clean

• Safe to Operate – UV air purification systems are safe to operate.  While contaminants are eradicated at the optimum wavelength, UV germicidal lamps are completely safe for human exposure

• Affordable and Cost-Effective – High-quality UVC germicidal lamps offer the most value with long-lasting high performance providing highly cost-effective air purification solutions

UV air purification provides these advantages and many others.  With fast and effective results, ease of use and maintaining and affordable options with long lasting high-quality lamps, UV germicidal lamps provide unsurpassed performance and value.  

Working with an experienced UV lamp manufacturer will ensure that you receive the most effective UVC germicidal solution.  Quality lamps are the key to any successful UV germicidal application.

LightSources Offers High-Quality UV Air Purifier Lamps and Accessories

LightSources and our strategic European partner, LightTech, offer high-quality UV air purifier lamps and accessories proven to provide long-lasting, high-performance.  We design, engineer and manufacture UV C germicidal lamps used in disinfection and purification systems around the world.  Most of our UV germicidal lamps are Low and Medium Pressure Mercury Discharge lamps.

Our Low-Pressure UVC lamps are similar in operation and construction to standard fluorescent lamps although our germicidal lamps are made with quartz or soda-lime glass and do not include the phosphate coating of fluorescent lamps which allows for more UVC radiation to pass through.  

Low-pressure amalgam lamps are ideal in situations requiring long-term germicidal applications, especially in environments with fluctuations in ambient temperature. The Medium Pressure Mercury Discharge lamps are similar to the High-Intensity Discharge lamps, as they emit a broadband UV emission rather than a narrow band.

Advantages of UVC Germicidal Lamps from LightSources

The LightSources Group offers many advantages including decades of experience, expertise in lighting technology, and vast global resources which allow us to provide quality products and on-time delivery.  We provide standard or customized lamp solutions developed in our modern, state-of-the-art glass factory. LightSources conducts continual research and development to provide high-performing, energy-efficient lamps and lighting solutions.

High Output UV C quartz germicidal lamps from LightSources provide nearly double the UVC radiation when compared to standard germicidal lamps in similar ambient temperatures.  Our standard quartz germicidal lamps warm up fast in only 30 to 60 seconds and convert electricity up to 40% into UVC radiation. LightSources offers patented spot amalgam technology with robust designed filaments which withstand operating on higher currents.

UVC germicidal lamps are proven to be safe and effective, eliminating harmful bacteria, viruses and microorganisms from air, water and surfaces.  UV air purifier systems provide clean and healthy air in homes and businesses around the world.

UV Water Purifier Using UVC Radiation

Originally posted at: https://www.light-sources.com/blog/uv-water-purifier/

A UV water purifier is an extremely effective and cost-efficient method of purifying and disinfecting water for various applications.  UVC radiation is used in UV water disinfection systems worldwide, proven effective at cleaning and purifying water in various forms.  Light is broken into colors and measured by wavelengths in nanometers (nm).

Ultraviolet (UV) light has shorter wavelengths than visible light measuring in the range of 10nm to 400nm, with the most effective UVC germicidal radiation occurring between 100nm to 280nm. UVC technology is used in UV water purification systems around the world to deliver a safe and highly effective method of cleansing water for numerous purposes.  

UV radiation targets the nucleic acid of the cells in bacteria, viruses, and microorganisms naked to the human eye, altering the DNA of these cells and rendering harmful contaminants completely harmless.  As the cells are destroyed, these microorganisms are unable to replicate which renders them dead as they cannot reproduce to infectious levels.

UV Water Purifier Applications  

A UV water purifier provides effective and cost-efficient water purification for a multitude of applications worldwide.  UVC germicidal technology offers technologically advanced, effective, and cost-efficient germicidal solutions for the following water applications:

• Aquaculture

• Drinking water

• Life Sciences

• Pool and Spa

• Wastewater

• Water Reclamation

• and many others  

Aqua Culture Benefits from Water Purifier Systems

UV water purifier systems offer valuable disinfection services to marine life in aquariums and hatcheries, providing safe water for fish to thrive free from dangerous bacteria and contaminants.  UVC germicidal lamps purify water with the optimum wavelength of 254nm, which effectively destroys viruses, bacteria, and harmful contaminants. UV water purification is also effective at destroying harmful contaminants and parasites such as the myxozoan parasite, preventing disease in fish in both saltwater and freshwater applications. The high-output quartz germicidal lamps and low-pressure amalgam lamps by LightSources enhance the life and well-being of fish and marine life, with the most effective and cost-efficient UV aqua culture solutions available today.

UV Water Purifier Provides Safe Drinking Water

UV radiation is utilized in municipalities to disinfect drinking water, enhancing the health and well-being of people across many populations.  UVC lamps effectively reduce chloramines and chloride in water, oxidizing water without the use of harmful by-products. Ozone-producing lamps at 185nm effectively kill virtually any virus form, while UV radiation at 254nm disinfects water by targeting cells’ DNA to eradicate any ability to reproduce. UVC lamps used in water purification systems offer many benefits over the use of chemical disinfectants.  Benefits of UV radiation for drinking water include:

• Eradicates harmful organisms instantly including those resistant to chemical disinfection such as cryptosporidium and giardia bacterium

• Organisms do not develop a resistance to UV radiation

• Effective with short radiation time

• Minimal maintenance

• No need to purchase, store, or dispose of chemicals

• Low operating costs

• Environmentally friendly

• It does not alter pH balance, odor, or taste

LightSources offers low-pressure standard quartz germicidal lamps and low-pressure high-output germicidal lamps to purify drinking water systems around the world.

Life Sciences Enhanced with UV Water Purifier

Water used in the medical industry including biotechnology and pharmaceuticals requires water purified to a mandated level to maintain clean water free from contaminants.  UV water purifiers are used in biotechnology, pharmacology, nanotechnology, genetic and medical testing, bioengineering, and medical device laboratories. The LightSources Group manufactures high-output lamps at 800mA and standard lamps at 425mA utilized in life science applications worldwide.  

Pool & Spa Water Purification

UV germicidal lamps are used to treat pool and spa water, with ozone-producing germicidal lamps purifying water 3,000 times quicker than chlorine, with no harmful chemical residue.

UV Wastewater Treatment Systems

Wastewater is defined as water that has been affected in quality by the influence of humans including varying contaminants when discharged from commercial properties, agricultural applications, and domestic residences. UVC water purifier systems effectively treat wastewater instead of chemical disinfectants to enhance public safety while meeting all federal and local strict water purification standards.

Water Reclamation with UV Water Purifiers

Water reclamation is a critical component of any water management system by eradicating pollutants from ecosystems and eliminating contaminants flowing into natural bodies of water.  Water reclamation purifies water to be recycled for other uses such as cooling power plants, mixing concrete or agricultural irrigation. Greenhouse water systems benefit from UVC germicidal technology, keeping plants healthy with clean water.   

LightSources Offers Effective and Cost-Efficient UV Water Purifier Systems

LightSources and our valued partner, LightTech, provide high-performing, industry-leading lighting solutions that deliver energy-efficient cost savings over comparable lamps.  We are dedicated to continual improvement through research and development, consistently offering cutting-edge, industry-leading UV lamp technology with high-performing patented products. Our vast resources allow us to provide timely delivery with high-quality products, supporting OEMs worldwide with UVC germicidal solutions.

LightSources and our valued partner companies represent the leading high-tech lamp designers in the industry.  Contact us today to speak with an engineer to learn more about our UVC germicidal solutions including our powerful lamps for UV water purifier systems.

UV Light Kills Bacteria in Air Treatment Systems

Originally posted at: https://www.light-sources.com/blog/uv-light-kills-bacteria-in-air-treatment-systems/

UV light kills bacteria in many disinfection and purification systems, providing clean air and water to a multitude of applications. When ultraviolet (UV) light is emitted at the wavelength of 254 nanometers (nm), the UVC radiation is instantly effective at eradicating all harmful contaminants and microorganisms. UVC radiation at 254nm instantly penetrates the cells of these microscopic invaders within seconds of exposure, damaging the nuclei of the cells to render them harmless.

UV light kills bacteria, viruses, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), fungi, mold spores, mildew, and other harmful contaminants in surface, water, and air treatment systems. UV germicidal lamps provide clean and safe air in residential, commercial, and industrial applications. People can enjoy clean and safe air free from harmful bacteria in their home while many businesses provide clean air in their establishments to maintain a healthy environment for their employees and the public.

It is important to provide clean air free from harmful viruses and bacteria in many commercial settings such as medical facilities, doctor offices, schools, hospitals and nursing homes. Patients with a compromised immune system are at an increased risk of contracting illness through airborne germs. A UV light air treatment system promotes health and wellness and prevents the spread of disease.

Benefits of Air Treatment Systems with UV Light to Kill Bacteria and Viruses

Many industrial settings also provide the benefits of UVC air purification to provide a healthier workplace for their employees and visitors and to comply with strict air quality codes and regulations. Many industrial applications such as rubber, plastic manufacturing, and woodworking facilities produce toxic chemicals in their production processes. UV light kills these toxic airborne compounds and protects the public with safer and cleaner air.

While the health benefits are clear, breathing cleaner air into our lungs improves wellness and protects against disease, there are other benefits as well. UV light air purification systems are completely safe, with no harmful chemicals or byproducts. UV lamps in HVAC systems provide long-lasting improvements in air quality with very little to no maintenance required. Keeping your HVAC and air ducts free from mold, mildew, and contaminants provides added protection to your HVAC equipment for longer-lasting, smooth operation.

Working with a UV lamp supplier with extensive experience in UVC germicidal technology will ensure the proper UV lights for your anti-bacterial application.

UV Light Kills Bacteria in Germicidal Applications

LightSources is recognized as an authority on UVC germicidal technology, offering patented products for long-lasting UV lights that effectively kill bacteria and all harmful microorganisms. We design, engineer, and manufacture UV lights used in water, surface, and air disinfection systems worldwide. We provide a wide selection of Low Pressure and Medium Pressure Mercury Discharge lamps, with custom-engineered solutions available.

Our Low-Pressure UV germicidal lamps are similar in construction and operation to standard fluorescent lights, although the UVC lamps do not include the phosphate coating present in fluorescent lamps. This allows more UVC radiation to pass through the quartz or soda-lime glass. Low-Pressure Amalgam UVC lamps provide ideal germ-killing effectiveness even in applications with ambient temperature fluctuations.

Our Medium Pressure Mercury Discharge lamps emit broadband wavelengths rather than narrowband, similar to High-Intensity Discharge lamps. Consulting with an engineer is the best way to obtain the ideal UV light to kill the bacteria and harmful contaminants in your application. The LightSources Group consists of the leading high-tech lamp designers available, offering expertise and an understanding of the technology behind UVC germicidal technology combined with superior lamp construction.

LightSources assists businesses across a wide range of industries including municipalities in obtaining highly effective germ-killing disinfection in many purification systems. We offer UV light disinfection to wastewater treatment facilities, ballast water treatment systems, and reclamation applications. Our UV lights are used to kill bacteria in restaurants, grocery stores, food and beverage processing plants, and many other commercial and industrial applications. Our UV lamps are proven to improve processes with effective, high performance which outlasts comparable lamps, for maximum energy savings and cost efficiency.

How Effective is UV Light to Kill Germs?

Originally posted at: https://www.light-sources.com/blog/how-effective-is-uv-light-to-kill-germs/

The effectiveness of UV light to kill germs is proven in many germicidal applications such as air purification systems and water disinfection applications. UV light also kills germs on surfaces and is used in many applications such as food buffets and grocery stores. UV germicidal lamps harness the power of UV radiation, which destroys bacteria, viruses, and many germs naked to the human eye, instantly upon contact.

Ultraviolet radiation is emitted in wavelengths and measured with nanometers (nm), with UV light broken down into 3 basic categories, UVA, UVB, and UVC radiation. UVA light is measured between 315 nm and 400 nm, UVB light is found in the range of 280 nm to 315 nm, while UVC radiation is between 200 nm to 280 nm with these powerful shorter wavelengths proven to have an extremely effective germicidal function specifically at 254 nm.

Use UV Light to Kill Germs at 254 nm

UVC radiation is emitted in the range of 254 nm is proven to eliminate viruses, bacteria, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and harmful microorganisms. UVC radiation at 254 nm instantly penetrates the cells of these living organisms and alters the DNA to render it unable to replicate which leaves them completely harmless. Short-wave UVC radiation does not reach the surface of the Earth as it is filtered out by the Earth’s atmosphere. This wavelength of UV light to kill germs is extremely effective and is harmless to people.

Use UV Light to Kill Airborne Germs with Ozone at 185 nm

UVC radiation emitted at the short wave of 185 nm is useful in ozone-producing germicidal lamps to eliminate odors from the air. Ozone-generating germicidal lamps are used in air purification systems worldwide to keep air smelling crisp and clean and free from foul and stale odors. Air purification systems with ozone lamps eliminate VOCs such as ammonia, mercaptans, and sulfides. Ozone-generating lamps decompress oxygen, O² to produce ozone, O³ which is a proven oxidizer.

Using UV Light to Kill Germs Provides Many Benefits

Using UV light to kill germs provides many benefits over other methods of disinfection. Many environmental regulations and codes exist to control the use of chemical disinfection and byproducts. UVC germicidal lamps are completely free from any harmful byproducts, meeting strict regulations and environmental codes.

Companies utilize UV air purification systems to provide a safe work environment and control potentially dangerous emissions to meet environment code compliance. UV germicidal lamps are used in water disinfection systems such as municipalities’ water treatment systems, fish aquariums, hatcheries, ballast water treatment systems, and many other water cleansing applications. UV light even kills some bacteria and viruses that chlorine does not, such as cryptosporidium and giardia.

UV light disinfection provides effective germ-killing properties, code compliance with strict environmental regulations, and is completely safe with no harmful byproducts. High-performance, high-quality germicidal lamps also provide long-lasting performance which requires little to no maintenance. With UV light germ-killing systems there is no need to purchase, store, or dispose of chemicals, providing maintenance-free disinfection systems which provide cost savings.

To summarize, UV disinfection provides the following benefits over other methods:

• Meets code compliance and environmental regulations

• Is completely safe with no harmful byproducts

• No need to maintain chemicals

• Long-lasting lamps require little to no maintenance

• Provides instant, effective disinfection

• Provides cost savings with long-lasting quality UVC germicidal lamps

With all of these benefits, it is easy to see why UV light is the preferred germ-killing disinfection process for many applications. Working with a reputable UVC germicidal lamp provider will deliver the best results with the right lamp for your process.

LightSources Offers High-Performance UVC Germicidal Lamps

LightSources is recognized as a leading global supplier of ultraviolet and fluorescent lamp solutions including custom-designed prototype products. The LightSources Group provides UVC germicidal lamps used in air purification and water disinfection systems worldwide. We deliver first-to-market, patented products developed with proprietary technology as part of our commitment to delivering high-performance long-lasting, and energy-efficient solutions.

We offer a wide selection of UVC germicidal lamps such as our low-pressure Amalgam lamps developed with proprietary technology designed to withstand high current operation. Our low-pressure Mercury UVC lamps are available in quartz or soft glass and ozone-generating designs. Our high-output UVC lamps are designed to operate on higher currents with heavier filaments for more control and maximum UVC output.

185nm UV Lamp for Ozone Disinfection

A 185nm UV Lamp generates ultraviolet energy at 185nm which is proven to effectively produce ozone, a natural sanitizer and deodorizer. A 185 nm UV light produces UV energy in wavelengths shorter than 220 nm which decompresses oxygen, O², to produce ozone, O³. UV germicidal lamps are designed to emit the most effective wavelength of UV radiation, measured in nanometers (nm). 185 nm lamps produce ozone, while 254 nm is an optimal wavelength to target the DNA of viruses, fungi and bacteria.

Ultraviolet radiation is proven to instantly penetrate the cells of harmful, disease causing microorganisms and rearrange the genetic material to render the cell unable to replicate. These harmful germs including protozoa and algae are unable to reproduce and are considered dead. UV germicidal lamps are proven to be highly effective in many surface, air and water disinfection applications with 185 nm ozone lamps providing many benefits.

Low Pressure and Medium Pressure Germicidal Lamps

The two main types of UV germicidal lamps are low pressure and medium pressure Mercury discharge lamps. Some low pressure germicidal lamps will look very similar to typical fluorescent lamps although the glass tube does not contain a fluorescent phosphor. The glass is also made of either soda lime glass or fused quartz as opposed to an ordinary borosilicate glass in typical fluorescent lamps.

This is to allow the optimum wavelength produced by a Mercury arc of either 185nm or 254nm of UV light to pass through unmodified. Low-pressure Mercury discharge lamps will still produce a visible light due to Mercury radiation bands.

Medium pressure Mercury discharge lamps look very similar to a high intensity discharge (HID) lamps and produce a broadband of UVC radiation rather than a single, narrow band line. These broadband UVC germicidal lamps produce a bright bluish white light and are common in many industrial water treatment applications due to the intense radiation source.

Low Pressure Amalgam UV Lamps

Low pressure Amalgam UV lamps provide stable performance over a wide range of ambient temperature changes with 3 to 4 times higher power density. Amalgam lamps are preferred for long-term applications and are available with either spot or pellet Amalgam technology. Spot Amalgam technology uses Mercury Amalgam applied to the inner surface of the lamp, whereas pellet Amalgam technology has Mercury Amalgam on the outside of the lamp arc.

Amalgam lamps provide some benefits over other lamps with the vapor pressure controlled by location and composition of Amalgam and allow for higher lamp current operation with robust filaments.

Low Pressure Amalgam Lamps

Ozone Producing 185 nm UV Lamp Benefits

Ozone Air Purification – Ozone Carries Through the Air

Ozone producing 185 nm UV lamps offer additional benefits and are required to oxidize specific organic compounds. One of the major advantages of ozone disinfection lamps is that ozone is carried through the air to places where UV radiation does not directly reach. 185 nm UV light is used in many UV air purification systems to effectively sanitize and clean the air in many HVAC systems.

Ozone Water Purification – Stronger than Chlorination

185 nm lamps are also very common in many water sterilization applications. Ozone is proven to be very effective over a wide range of pH environments and reacts quickly with viruses, bacteria and protozoans. Ozone provides a very strong oxidizing power and a short reaction time, with stronger germicidal properties then chlorination in many applications. Ozone does not add harmful chemicals to the water and eliminates many protozoans the chlorine does not such as Giardia and Cryptosporidium.

Ozone Oxidation – Powerful Water Disinfection

Also provides excellent oxidation in disinfection properties which makes it popular in drinking water treatment systems. 185 nm lamps are convenient in that ozone may be added to water treatment systems at several points such as during pre-oxidation, intermediate and final disinfection treatment processes. Ozone water disinfection is used worldwide in many applications including ballast water treatment systems for ships which are globally enforced to protect the planet’s oceans.

185nm UV Lamps from LightSources

LightSources and LightTech offer 185nm UV lamps manufactured with high-quality quartz glass. The type of fused quartz used to make the envelope, or the bulb, of the germicidal lamp determines the wavelength of UV emissions. Ozone is an extremely effective deodorizer and active oxidizer, destroying microorganisms on contact. The LightSources Group offers Very High (VH) UV germicidal lamps which produce UV energy at 185nm as well as Low (L) lamps which produce 254nm.

Our L lamps are designed with a specially doped fused quartz to prohibit the emission of 185 nm, while our VH lamps are designed with clear fused quartz to allow the emission of energy at 185 nm. These 185 nm UV lights are found in a wide range of air treatment systems and water sterilization applications. VH lamps are effective in reducing total organic compounds (TOCs) and are commonly used in HVAC UV air purification systems.

LightSources and LightTech offer UV germicidal lamp solutions for any application, with a wide range of patented, high-tech lamp products as well as custom designed solutions available. We design, engineer and manufacture lamps with two types of quartz spliced together to produce specific amounts of ozone. Our ozone disinfection lamps provide many benefits including:

• High-quality quartz glass construction

• Effective deodorization and oxidation

• Customized proprietary design options available

• Effective in a wide range of air and water sterilization applications

The combined strengths of LightTech in Europe with LightSources in the United States allows the LightSources Group the ability to support OEMs worldwide with vast resources and high-tech lamp solutions. By offering a wide selection of standard products as well as customized solutions, our clients maintain replacement sales within their OEM market for increased revenue and repeat business.

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.

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.

Harnessing the Power of UVC Disinfection to Combat Germs

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of proper disinfection practices has become more apparent than ever. While traditional cleaning methods play a vital role in eliminating pathogens, the development of innovative technologies has led to the rise of UVC disinfection. UVC, or ultraviolet-C, radiation has proven to be a potent germicidal agent, offering an efficient and chemical-free solution to combat harmful microorganisms.

Understanding UVC Disinfection

UVC radiation is a form of ultraviolet light with wavelengths ranging from 200 to 280 nanometers (nm), with 254 nm being one of the most effective wavelengths for UV C disinfection. Unlike UVA and UVB rays, which can penetrate the Earth’s atmosphere and are responsible for the common sunburn, UVC is completely absorbed by the ozone layer. UV C lamps replicate the proper wavelength required for UVC radiation to eliminate germs in many applications.

Germicidal UVC lamps are safe for use in controlled environments with the proper safety measure in place, as they can pose a risk to human eyes and skin. When exposed to UVC radiation, microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi are rendered inactive by damaging their DNA and disrupting their cellular functions. This process effectively prevents their replication and spread.

Effectiveness of UVC Disinfection

UVC disinfection has gained popularity due to its high efficacy in eliminating a wide range of pathogens. Numerous studies have demonstrated its effectiveness against various viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19. UVC radiation can be deployed in various settings, such as hospitals, laboratories, offices, restaurants, and public spaces. UVC radiation is effective for use in surface disinfection, air purification, and water sterilization.

In recent years, research has also focused on the benefits of far-UVC radiation. Far-UVC emits a shorter wavelength (around 222 nanometers) and is less harmful to human skin and eyes compared to conventional UVC radiation. This opens up possibilities for continuous disinfection in occupied spaces, offering a safer and more sustainable solution for public areas.

UVC Lamp Safety Considerations

While UVC radiation is highly effective in disinfection, precautions must be taken to ensure the safety of human exposure. Direct exposure to UVC radiation can cause skin burns and eye injuries, similar to sunburn and UV overexposure. Therefore, it is crucial to employ UVC disinfection systems that are properly designed, shielded, and used in controlled environments to minimize the risk of harm. This includes the use of protective gear and ensuring that humans are not present during the disinfection process.

UV C Disinfection Lamp Types

To harness the power of UV disinfection, specialized UV C lamps are used that emit the required wavelengths for germicidal effectiveness. LightSources, a leading manufacturer of UV lamps, offers a comprehensive range of UVC germicidal lampsand far-UVC lamps for various applications.

Germicidal lamps are designed to emit UVC radiation at a peak wavelength of 254 nanometers, which is highly effective in eliminating pathogens. These lamps are commonly used in air and water purification systems, surface disinfection devices, and HVAC units.

Far-UVC lamps, on the other hand, emit shorter wavelengths, around 222 nanometers. LightSources’ far-UVC lamps are engineered to deliver optimal germicidal effects while minimizing the risk to human health. These lamps are ideal for continuous disinfection in occupied spaces, providing an added layer of safety and protection.

UVC disinfection has emerged as a powerful and chemical-free method to combat the spread of harmful microorganisms. Its efficacy in eliminating viruses and bacteria, including the notorious SARS-CoV-2, has made it an essential tool in the fight against infectious diseases. However, it is crucial to implement UV germicidal lamps and disinfection systems safely and responsibly, adhering to recommended guidelines to protect human health.

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.

What Conditions Do Medical Phototherapy Lamps Treat?

Ultraviolet light has many useful purposes, with UV electromagnetic radiation providing germicidal and healing properties.  Medical phototherapy is the process of using various wavelengths of UV light to treat certain conditions. UV phototherapy lamps are useful in treating and providing relief to a variety of ailments and illnesses. 

Phototherapy lamps are proven to treat many health conditions, including:

Neonatal jaundice - UV lamps are the main source of treatment to break down bilirubin in the blood that occurs when an infant’s liver is not yet fully capable of breaking down the toxins in the body.  “Bili” lights help the baby’s body and prevent brain damage. 

Mood disorders, depression – many people experience Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) during the winter months with less sunlight. Light therapy lamps help to treat depression which can be mild to severe and can improve symptoms of fatigue, lack of interest, and many other depressive symptoms. 

Sleep disorders – phototherapy lamps treat sleep disorders, including jet lag, by helping the body to regulate the natural circadian rhythm. 

Light therapy lamps also treat a host of skin conditions and are prescribed by dermatologists to ensure the right wavelength is used to treat specific conditions such as: 

Acne – UV light is proven to help treat acne, which affects nearly 60 million people in the U.S. Topical treatments can minimize symptoms, but many are ineffective, leaving people looking for help. Combinations of red and blue light therapy have been proven successful in treating acne to reduce outbreaks and lessen the severity of symptoms. 

Eczema – UV light is useful for successfully treating eczema with UVA, UVB, and narrow-band UVB wavelengths that reduce symptoms and help to clear skin. 

Psoriasis – light therapy helps to treat psoriasis by successfully lessening the severity of symptoms and preventing outbreaks.  Sometimes medication called Psoralen is used in conjunction with UVA and UVB wavelengths to help absorption for successful treatment. 

Vitiligo – UV lights treat vitiligo which is a skin condition that leaves white patches on the skin due to a loss of melanin. Narrowband UVB lamps are a popular way to treat vitiligo and help repigment skin cells.

Ultraviolet medical phototherapy lights are used to treat these conditions and others, such as helping wounds to heal by increasing blood circulation and preventing infection. Photodynamic therapy, PDT, is a treatment where UV blue light is used in conjunction with medications to treat certain types of cancer and kill cancer cells or tumors of atypical growth. 

As you can see, ultraviolet lamps have vast healing power, although the right type of lamp with the correct wavelength must be used to treat each condition. It is important to use light therapy correctly under a physician’s care. 

LightSources is a leading global supplier of UV and fluorescent lamps using medical phototherapy as well as germicidal applications. Our UVC germicidal lamps are used worldwide to sterilize and disinfect in air purification systems, water treatment systems, and surface sterilization applications. Contact us to speak with an engineer about our many phototherapy lamps and our ability to design, engineer, and produce custom-designed wavelengths to meet your specific requirements.

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

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

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

222 Nm Far UVC Lamps Are Safer Than Standard Germicidal Lamps

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

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

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

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

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

How UVC Lamps are Helping Hospitals

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

UVC Germicidal Lamps Help Sterilize Hospitals

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

UVC Lamps Sterilize Air, Surfaces, and Water

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

UVC Robots Help Hospitals Stay Clean

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

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

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.