UV-C (ultraviolet) lighting has a long history as a germicidal agent, and it continues to be an important component of public health today. UV-C energy has been known to have antimicrobial properties since 1896, when it was discovered by Niels Finsen that exposures to UV light could help treat tuberculosis. He was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physiology and Medicine in 1903 for his work. UV-C lighting has since been proven time and again to be an effective method of disinfection, as it is able to penetrate the cell wall of bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms, where it destroys their DNA and renders them unable to reproduce or cause infection. UV-C lighting is now deployed in a variety of settings, from water treatment, medical sterilization of instruments and hard surfaces, but most effectively and prevalently in air purification.

UV-C lighting options are increasingly being used in public spaces such as schools, hospitals, and airports for sterilization of air and surfaces and to reduce the risk of transmission of infectious diseases. With the increased prevalence of antibiotic-resistant superbugs (i.e.- MRSA), UV-C lighting is becoming ever-more important as an effective way to reduce pathogen levels and keep people healthy.  Until recently, UV-C light was produced primarily by mercury-vapor fluorescent bulbs. However, more recent developments in LED technology have revolutionized the industry, providing more powerful, versatile lighting with multiple disinfection wavelengths, as well as offering comparable or even better germicidal efficacy with much lower energy consumption and longer life. As an example of the impressive germicidal power of UV-C, studies have found that the maximum log kill rate of pathogens and inactivation rates is found at UV-C light wavelengths between 254 and 280 nanometers. This is the light spectrum most commonly used for disinfection applications with new LED technologies, with numerous studies finding it to be highly effective at reducing microbial counts.  [1,2,3]

[1] (Mudassir, N., Muhammad, M., Tahir, S., Imran, S., Blair, G., Zahur, T., . . . Bagasra, O. (2020). Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVC) as a Decontamination Method. UV Curing for Adhesive Bonding and Coating Applications, 174-189.)

[2] https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-09930-2

[3] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34183999 

There are plenty! It can be almost overwhelming to begin looking at options for protecting your business or home with UV-C lighting.  Let's begin with a quick overview of the differing technologies, and some potential benefits and drawbacks.

254 nm mercury tube lights, the original technology with the lowest cost with a strong pathogen inactivation rate.  The lights do have a short life span, and require replacement in a few months for safety as a bulb break and ensuing mercury leak could have fatal consequences.  Requires regular cleaning and maintenance.  Higher energy consumption rates.  Must be deployed in HVAC systems.  

222 nm krypton-chloride lights, lower power units for room by room air purification.  222 nm is a less effective log kill rate versus other wavelengths, and the lower inactivation rate and power irradiance necessitates many devices in spaces occupied by humans.  Was initially believed to be safer for human exposure,  but further studies clearly show DNA replicative damage in humans after short exposure times. [1] 222 nm may be an effective addition to existing 254, 265 or 280 nm system as the combination of the two leads to a higher log kill rate than either separately.

265-280 nm LED chips, the newest technology and the most effective log kill rate for all pathogens.  This is the ideal range and the most effective at disrupting DNA/RNA replication.  LEDs operating in this wavelength are very dangerous for human exposure, and must be deployed in HVAC systems or unoccupied spaces.  Being LED chips, they are the longest lasting devices overall.  UV-Clear's technology is a standout here, offering an industry leading 10,000 hour run time warranty.  The LEDs use significantly less energy than other options as well.  Being such a new technology, there are very few options for complete devices.  A major hurdle to development in this wavelength has been managing the significant heat created by an array of these LED chips, which shortens lifespan and increases the nanometer wavelength produced by the chip. More on how UV-Clear solved these problems in the next section.

[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9408858  

Quite simply, UV-Clear is the safest and most economical way to retrofit UV-C LEDs in HVAC systems. 

Our UV-Clear patent pending technology allows us to reduce heat of the operating device, prolonging its life and preserving peak performance (industry leading up to 80% efficiency at 10,000 hours).  Our planned control design reduces run time and energy consumption, without sacrificing germicidal irradiance power.  Our unique design and IP stem from hundreds of hours considering and evaluating UV-C germicidal devices of all strengths, sizes and formats - and finding pitfalls with each.  Nothing could harness the power of the new LED wavelengths, offer years of maintenance free operation AND be deliverable at a mass market price point, but we like a challenge!  

UV-Clear was established and designed with this express built purpose, to be, "The safest and most economical way to retrofit UV-C LEDs in HVAC systems."  Mentioned in above sections, UV-C and all UV light exposure is dangerous to humans, the lower the wavelength, the worse the damage (1, 2, 3). With that in mind, we at UV-Clear feel there is no safe exposure of UV-C to your customers, staff, or even your equipment.  With our patent pending device, there is no need to.  UV-Clear's device is safely tucked away in your HVAC air supply, it fires in a fraction of a second to full germicidal strength, and is only in operation when air is moving, saving energy while prolonging device life and performance.

UV-Clear's XXX LED chip array on our ultra-powerful commercial device (full details disclosed under NDA conditions at this time) is able to sanitize high speed moving air in the largest industrial handlers, a task requiring, and only even attempted with multiple devices working in series before.  We can't wait to show you how UV-Clear's technology can sanitize the air for your entire building, on a budget that was previously suitable for a room.  

With antibiotic resistant infections rising for years (4), SARS CoV-2 emerging for another season (5), newer threats like Nipah virus (6), and a Marburg pandemic already declared (7), there are no shortage of threats to the health and safety of your employees and customers alike.  UV-Clear utilizes the world's most advanced LED semiconductors, and as such, supplies are extremely limited.  Do not delay in protecting your most valuable resources, we look forward to hearing from you!

[1] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9408858/

[2] https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0281162

[3] https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s43630-021-00123-w 

[4] https://journals.asm.org/doi/10.1128/microbiolspec.gpp3-0057-2018

[5] https://www.who.int/activities/tracking-SARS-CoV-2-variants

[6] https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-023-02967-x

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