Ever since the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an increase in the demand to understand various disinfection techniques. This became a reason for conducting several pieces of research, many of which have been on Germicidal UV technology. This technology, in particular, has been under constant limelight for its outstanding disinfection capabilities. Institutions all over the world are conducting researches to comprehend the abilities of UV light to fight against harmful microorganisms. The Lighting Research Center at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute has recently issued a comprehensive report on Germicidal UV that incorporates detailed data on topics such as the impact of UV technology on disease-causing pathogens and the testing of various germicidal products.

LRC Report

“Lighting Answers: UV Disinfection Products”, a report issued by LRC, is a part of the center’s National Lighting Product Information Program (NLPIP). The objective behind the program is to guide lighting professionals such as engineers, contractors, and designers about effective and energy-efficient lighting products. Funding for the program was provided by major institutions like Lighting Energy Alliance, the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), and the McClung Lighting Research Foundation.

LRC’s work on this subject is quite extensive wherein it has covered fundamentals of how UV rays help in deactivating various harmful microorganisms. Although the work majorly circles around the UV-C band (100-280 nm) energy, it also covers longer wavelengths. A detailed description of Various UV sources and different types of system implementations provided by manufacturers is also a major part of this document.

A specific section in the report is dedicated to dosage and germicidal efficacy. Other than this, some details of a survey conducted last summer by LRC that provides useful information on the expectations of key stakeholders in the lighting industry are also present in the report. LRC’s major focus, throughout the report, has been on three important aspects of UV usage – germicidal efficacy, energy consumption, and radiation safety.

With researches being conducted on germicidal UV technology, scientists and researchers all across the world are learning more about the efficiency of this technology to fight against various disease-causing pathogens, more importantly, the Coronavirus.

Source article: https://www.ledsmagazine.com/lighting-health-wellbeing/article/14189655/germicidal-uvc-news-lrc-publishes-report-seoul-led-efficacy-and-osram