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.

Learn How UV Light for Eczema Gives Patients Relief

Eczema is an irritating skin condition that causes painful, itchy patches of dry skin in varying degrees of severity and UV light for eczema is proven to provide relief. Eczema can cause emotional stress to those suffering from this skin condition who only want relief. There are different types of eczema, which include:

• contact dermatitis

• atopic dermatitis

• seborrheic dermatitis

• nummular eczema

• stasis dermatitis

• dyshidrotic eczema

Symptoms can be different among people suffering from eczema, although most people experience the most common symptoms reported as extreme itching, inflamed red skin, rough scaly patches of skin, dry, sensitive skin, and areas of swelling. Itchiness is associated with all types of eczema and can make symptoms worse if people scratch too much. Eczema may develop in babies and children who may outgrow the condition, or eczema may develop in adulthood.

Eczema currently has no known cure, although there are effective treatments in the form of topical ointments, creams, and ultraviolet (UV) light therapy.

How UV Light for Eczema Works

Topical treatments may work for some people, although UV light for eczema has been proven to give relief to many patients. UV light therapy, also called phototherapy, should be in a controlled setting under a physician’s care with the proper type of UV lamp. The right type of lamp must be used with the proper wavelength administered as exposure to the wrong type of UV radiation could worsen symptoms.

Some people notice an improvement in their symptoms during the sunny, summer months, these patients are more likely to see improvement with UV light therapy. People living in the northern hemisphere may notice that a UV lamp improves their symptoms during the winter months when sunlight is scarce. Consistency is key with UV light for eczema treatment as improvement usually takes one to two months of regular exposure.

Light is divided into colors and measured in wavelengths, with the unit of measure in nanometers (nm). Ultraviolet light is in the electromagnetic spectrum of radiated energy which is invisible to the human eye. Ultraviolet light is divided into three areas: UVA, UVB, and UVC radiation. UVA and UVB radiation are often prescribed to treat eczema.

UVA light is in the wavelength between 315 to 400 nm, UVB radiation is between 280 and 315 nm with narrow-band UVB light measuring 310 nm. UVB radiation is the most common type of light therapy for eczema and emits wavelengths that are similar to the sun’s rays and are proven to give relief to many patients. Some patients prescribed UVA treatments are also prescribed a medication called psoralen which makes their skin more receptive to the UVA treatments.

All types of UV light for eczema treatments are proven to help patients by suppressing the overactive immune system which reduces inflammation, itching, and pain. UV phototherapy can improve vitamin D production and increase the skin’s own bacteria-fighting systems. Phototherapy is proven to help about 70% of those suffering from this irritating skin condition to find relief from symptoms, or at least calm them down and in some cases put them in a state of remittance.

LightSources Offers Proven UV Lamps for Eczema Treatment

LightSources and European partner, LightTech, offer UV lamps proven highly effective in many phototherapy applications. The LightSources Group is recognized worldwide for designing, engineering, and manufacturing high-tech, cutting-edge UV lamp technology. Our engineers possess in-depth knowledge of UV radiation and lamp technology, offering UV lamps that outperform and outlast comparable lamps with long-lasting effectiveness.

Our UV phototherapy lamps are used worldwide to treat a host of medical conditions. Phototherapy lamps are proven effective in treating many skin conditions including eczema, psoriasis, acne, vitiligo, and mood disorders such as depression and seasonal affective disorder (SAD), a type of depression caused by a lack of sunlight. The LightSources Group manufactures UV phototherapy lamps with full OEM support for all of these conditions.

LightSources is the leading global supplier of UVC germicidal lamps used in all disinfection applications such as in air purification systems and water disinfection processes. UVC radiation is proven to instantly eliminate harmful bacteria and viruses within seconds of exposure and is completely safe for humans. LightSources offers the widest selection of UVC germicidal lamps for any application with custom-designed solutions and prototypes available