Any images depicting the use of Far-UVC
are artistic renderings. Far-UVC does not generate any visible light.
What is UV?
is a form of electromagnetic radiation with wavelength from 10 nm to 400 nm. There are 3 classifications of UV light:
Current UVC (UVGI) Germicidal Lighting
Good For Sterilizing Empty Spaces, In HVAC And Water Purification Applications.
Limitations: Can't Be Used Around Humans.
is Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI) and is a disinfection method that uses short-wavelength ultraviolet (ultraviolet C or UV-C)
light (100 - 280 nm), to kill or inactivate microorganisms by destroying nucleic acids and disrupting their DNA, leaving them unable to perform vital
cellular functions.
Note: Extreme care should be used with this type of germicidal lighting. Never expose skin or eys to this type of UVC light.
are relatively new to the commercial market and are gaining in popularity. Due to their monochromatic nature (± 5 nm) these LEDs can target a specific wavelength needed for disinfection. This is especially important, knowing that pathogens vary in their sensitivity to specific UV wavelengths. Also LED's tend to be cheaper to manufacture than other technologies, once a manufacturing technique is discovered.
Because of the center wavelength at 254 nm used by broadband UVC/UVGI, it is considered dangerous for use in the presence of humans. These wavelengths cause damage to the skin and eyes in humans.
The limitation with using current UVC lighting technology is the bandwidth, centered around
254 nm, can penetrate human skin cells and the eyes, causing possible skin cancers and cataracts in the eyes when humans are present.
This limits the use of this technology to empty spaces such as medical operating theaters, which are cleaned using fixed
light fixtures or robotic lighting following a pre-programmed path thoughout the room,
small sterilization containers and in HVAC sterilization applications.
Another limitation is that many UVC light sources are derived from mercury vapor lamps, which can be dangerous for the
environment if disposed of improperly and some of these lamps produce high levels of ozone. Many UVC sterilization products
and lamps are commercially available.Note: Extreme care should be used with this type of germicidal lighting. Never expose skin or eys to this type of UVC light.
are relatively new to the commercial market and are gaining in popularity. Due to their monochromatic nature (± 5 nm) these LEDs can target a specific wavelength needed for disinfection. This is especially important, knowing that pathogens vary in their sensitivity to specific UV wavelengths. Also LED's tend to be cheaper to manufacture than other technologies, once a manufacturing technique is discovered.
The Solution
Far-UVC 222 nm. Lighting
What Is Far-UVC?
Far-UVC 222 nm. light is a narrow subset of UVC ultraviolet light between 207 - 222 nm.
These wavelengths have germicidal properties at very low dosages (kills microbes, bacteria and viruses)
and unlike broadband UVC,
This makes it perfect for use in enclosed spaces, where the potential for virus spread is highest. Used in enclosed spaces in conjunction with other sanitation methods such as ventilation and/or HVAC systems containing MERV-13 or higher filters and/or UVGI lamps, facilities can provide the highest level of sanitation confidence.
This makes it perfect for use in enclosed spaces, where the potential for virus spread is highest. Used in enclosed spaces in conjunction with other sanitation methods such as ventilation and/or HVAC systems containing MERV-13 or higher filters and/or UVGI lamps, facilities can provide the highest level of sanitation confidence.
THE DISCOVERY!! - FEBRUARY 2018
In February of 2018 an article was published in Nature entitled "Far-UVC light: A new tool to control the spread of airborne-mediated microbial diseases" and details of the research done at Columbia University describing the use of a narrow band of UVC (207 - 222 nm) " ... which has only a very short range in biological material, so that it cannot penetrate the dead-cell layer at the surface of our skin, nor can it penetrate into our eyes. So it can't reach or damage any living cells in our body. But it can penetrate and kill viruses floating in the air, simply because viruses are incredibly small.
" ... In short, exposure to Far-UVC light is safe for people, but potentially lethal for viruses in the air ... "
On June, 24 2020 researchers updated the orignal research "Far-UVC light (222 nm) efficiently and safely inactivates airborne human coronaviruses" and discuss Far_UVC as applied to "airborne human coronaviruses" like SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
TED Talk with David Brenner on Far-UVC Discovery in April of 2017.
Researcher David Brenner explains the motivation and steps that led to the discovery of Far-UVC. This TED Talk was before the current COVID-19 pandemic. All references to "bacteria" include viruses.
Researcher David Brenner explains the motivation and steps that led to the discovery of Far-UVC. This TED Talk was before the current COVID-19 pandemic. All references to "bacteria" include viruses.