UV-C lighting disinfecting the air validated

“Based on the understood method by which UV-C exposure deactivates pathogens, we would expect UV-C disinfection lighting to have a similar impact on the various genetic mutations of (SARS-CoV2),” said Sam Kabbani, Chief Scientific Officer at Innovative Bioanalysis.

“These test results illustrate the effectiveness of our UV-C disinfection upper air luminaires and the important contribution they can make towards fighting the coronavirus and future viruses,” said Harsh Chitale, Division Leader Digital Solutions at Signify. “It shows how UV-C lighting for upper air applications can be a successful preventive measure for organizations as they seek ways to provide their guests, customers and employees virus-free environments.”

Signify in 2020 increased the production of its UV-C light sources eight-fold in support of the fight against the coronavirus and acquired GLA to complement its portfolio with luminaires for upper-room air disinfection. Since then the company has installed UV-C disinfection upper air luminaires in several locations, including retailers EDEKA Clausen in Germany, dm in Slovakia, and Rugby Union Club Harlequins in the UK.

The height at which the luminaires are installed, in combination with the luminaires’ design, allows the system to disinfect air as it circulates a space, even when there are people present. Mechanical ventilation and/or natural convection moves the disinfected air back into the lower part of a space. Additionally, shielding and optics in the luminaires are designed to prevent accidental exposure to UV-C radiation for the people underneath them.