UV-C FAQS

Can I purchase germidical tubes separately?

Yes! While we want to prioritize our 254nm radiators to customers who purchase our UV-C fixtures, we will directly sell UV-C radiators.

What exactly is UV-C disinfection lighting?

UV-C Disinfection utilizes short-wavelength ultraviolet light, which is proven to inactivate viruses and kill bacteria. We utilize the 254nm wavelength, which is a very effective solution for disinfection.

How is UV-C measured?

“Most people seem to be familiar with the term ‘watts’ (from light bulbs and electric bills); but probably not the term ‘joules’ (a metric measurement term). In short, both are used in measuring energy in any form (e.g., electricity as well as light):

• A Watt is a measure of the rate of energy delivery (analogous to gallons-per-minute flow rate for water delivery).
• A Joule is a cumulative measure of the total amount of energy delivered (analogous to total gallons of water delivered).

It usually is associated with how much time was needed to deliver the energy.

The way the units work is 1 Joule (J) of energy delivered = delivering 1 Watt (W) of energy for 1 second. In the UV world, we usually measure things in small increments, i.e., thousandths of a Joule or Watt. These are shown as ‘milli-Joules’ (i.e., ‘mJ’ or 1/1,000 of a Joule), and milli-Watts (i.e., ‘mW’ or 1/1,000 of a Watt).

Example: 40mJ (cumulative energy) = 10mW delivered for 4 seconds”

Source: International Ultraviolet Association

Is UV-C Safe?

What wavelength do your UV-C fixtures operate at?

Our UV-C fixtures operate at at wavelength of 253.7nm.

Do these devices need to be EPA approved?

Since UV-C devices are listed as pesticide devices by the EPA, it is a common misconception that any manufacturing facility must be registered with the EPA. Our fixtures only disinfect the means of viruses and bacteria, and are not intended for any other uses. The lamps that we use have had extensive research on the effectiveness of their disinfection, and we offer nothing but a safe way to utilize the technologies of these lamps in a safe and effective manner.

“A device is defined in FIFRA section 2(h) as “any instrument or contrivance (other than a firearm) intended for trapping, destroying, repelling, or mitigating any pest or any other form of plant or animal life (other than humans and other than bacteria, virus, or other microorganism on or in living man or other living animals); but not including equipment used for the application of pesticides) when sold separately.” Tamper-resistant bait boxes for rodenticides are an example of application equipment that does not fall within the definition of a device.”

“These devices do not require EPA registration as long as they do not contain or produce any pesticide product. However, they are regulated to the extent “false or misleading claims are made about their effectiveness of devices. If a manufacturer is making claims about a device, they should have scientific data to support the claims.”

– United States Environmental Protection Agency

How can I determine the dose of UV-C that is needed for a specific pathogen?

The disinfection effect on a specific microorganism can be expressed by (Phillips, 1992):
Nt/N0 = exp(- kEeff·∆t ) = exp(- k·Dose)
where
N0= the number of microorganisms at the start
Nt = the number of microorganisms after any time
t,
2Nt/N0 = the fraction of microorganisms surviving
k= a microorganism-dependent rate constant, cm2/μW – s,
Eeff= the effective (germicidal) irradiance received by the microorganism, μW/cm2, and Dose= the product of Eeff·∆t, μW ⋅ s/cm2.

Does UV-C work on all viruses and bacteria?

UV-C wavelengths are known to affect all known microorganisms. Specific viruses and bacteria will be affected by different levels of radiation.

Does UV-C inactivate SARS-CoV-2, known as COVID-19?

“Because the COVID-19 virus (SARS-CoV-2) is so new, the scientific community doesn’t yet have a specific deactivation dosage. However, we know the dosage values for comparable viruses in the same SARS virus family are 10-20 mJ/cm² using direct UVC light at a wavelength of 254nm; this dosage will achieve 99.9% disinfection (i.e., inactivation) under controlled lab conditions. In real-life, the virus is often hidden or shaded from direct UVC light, reducing UVC’s effectiveness. To compensate, researchers are applying dosages of 1,000 – 3,000 mJ/cm² to ensure 99.9% deactivation, the current CDC disinfection goal.”

– International Ultraviolet Association

Are “Near UV” products just as effective as UV-C wavelengths?

Does UV-C produce light?

UV-C has a shorter wavelength than visible light, and therefore does not produce any visible light. Our UV-C lamps have an additive that allows them to emit a visible light when operating. This is a safeguard to allow it to be known when the lamps are operational.

Does UV-C replace the need to clean?

UV-C is meant to be a second line of defense, as UV-C cannot completely replace cleaning. While UV-C is an excellent disinfection method, there are various factors that may effect the effectiveness in certain areas of the room – eg. dust and shadowed recesses.

Does having other lighting on in the room impact effectiveness?

No, although other lighting in the room may give the room the impression that the room is not currently being disinfected.

I see that the UV-C fixtures have no lens. Is it possible to add a lens to my fixtures?

Our germicidal 254nm lamps are cased in quartz glass. UV-C radiation only penetrates through quartz glass, and will not penetrate through tempered glass, polycarbonate, acrylic, etc. We do offer highly reflective parabolic louvers on our UV-C troffers to help hide the lamps if aesthetics is an issue.

Does the FDA regulate the use of UV-C products?

From the FDA website:
“UVC lamps are electronic products. The FDA regulates electronic products that emit radiation (both non-medical and medical products) through the Electronic Product Radiation Control Provisions, which were originally enacted as the Radiation Control for Health and Safety Act. Certain electronic products may also be regulated as medical devices. The FDA is responsible for regulating firms who manufacture, repackage, relabel, and/or import medical devices sold in the United States.

UVC lamp manufacturers are responsible for compliance with all applicable regulatory requirements, including Title 21 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Parts 1000 through 1004, and section 1005.25 and, as applicable, 21 CFR Chapter I, Subchapter H. The radiological health regulations include reporting of Accidental Radiation Occurrences, notification to the FDA and customers of radiation safety defects, and designation of a U.S. agent for imported lamps. When a UVC lamp is regulated only as an electronic product, there are currently no specific FDA performance standards that apply.”

– US Food and Drug Administration

How do UV-C LEDs compare to UV-C radiators?

UV-C LED technology is extraordinarily more inefficient than the 254nm radiators that we use on our UV-C line of products. While UV-C LED products may one day be an efficient means of disinfecting, current LED disinfecting products are merely a novelty.

How long do UV-C radiators last?

The lifespan of the radiators used in our UV-C products are estimated to be a nominal 9000 hours. It is recommended to change the radiators every year.