COVID-19 and the Benefits of UVC
Germicidal UVC has been used for well over 100+ years for its ability to combat viruses, bacteria, and spores. UVC has played a major role in inactivating pathogens such as Tuberculosis, Measles, and SARS in recent history. With the threat of new highly contagious diseases such as COVID-19, UVC is at the forefront again, providing protection from these new strains of pathogens.
What is UV-C and how does it work?
Ultraviolet light in the C spectrum (UV-C) is energy-rich light with a wavelength of 254 nanometers (nm). UV-C works by deactivating and damaging the DNA of bacteria, viruses and other pathogens and destroys their ability to multiply and cause disease.
How interested are businesses in UVC products? What was the interest pre-COVID vs. now?
Interest in UV-C has significantly increased in 2020. Before COVID-19, interest was primarily focused on hospitals, correctional facilities, K-12 schools, universities, and energy saving projects. Not only are we seeing an increase of interest with these applications, but we are also seeing interest from all types of facilities looking to create safer environments for occupants, such as salons, grocery stores, restaurants, health clubs, and others.
What impact can UVC have on a business?
Helping to keep them OPEN! The benefits of incorporating UVC technology include improved performance of staff, reduction of illness and absenteeism, and peace of mind for customers. By continually inactivating pathogens in the air and on surfaces, businesses can provide safer indoor environments for employees and patrons.
What solutions does Lumalier offer for various applications?
We offer a broad range of products ranging from those that provide facility-wide disinfection to models engineered for emergency disinfection. In AHU & In Duct products, installed in air handling units (AHUs), offer facility-wide disinfection as the air is being distributed throughout the building. Upper-air products are for use in high-occupancy areas for targeted disinfection to mitigate the spread of pathogens from person to person. We also offer surface disinfection units in both fixed and portable options to ensure that cleaning protocols and practices are as efficient and as effective as possible.
What are the benefits to installing UVC equipment beyond the COVID-19 pandemic?
Reduction of HVAC maintenance, reduction of energy consumption, improved occupant performance, and reduction of sick days/absenteeism are all benefits of UVC applications.
How do you see UVC technology impacting people’s lives now and in the future?
In the current environment, we are providing one important solution for creating safer indoor spaces. In the future, we expect building codes to require proper, scientifically proven standards of UV-C for the safety, protection, and welfare of the building occupants.
Industry Expertise and Recommendations
What is ASHRAE (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers) saying?
UV technology is listed by ASHRAE as a viable solution to the spread of pathogens via airstreams.
ASHRAE Position Document on Airborne Infectious Diseases
“The inactivated (noninfectious) particles were therefore unable to infect staff and patients in control areas with UVGI, as compared to areas without UVGI.” Read more >
Biological Agents in Context of Globalization and Pandemic Influenza and Airborne Transmission
Timely, helpful, problem-solving information.
“Air disinfection by means of UVGI could effectively reduce the amount of air changes required for infection control in a space provided by mechanical ventilation and save energy. Such air disinfection may be the single most cost-effective engineering intervention under circumstances where air circulation is an important transmission factor.” Read more >