Germicidal ultraviolet (GUV) – refers to short-wavelength ultraviolet radiant energy that has been shown to kill bacteria and to inactivate viruses. Wavelengths in the ultraviolet band known as the “UV-C” (from 200 to 280nm), have been shown to be the most effective for disinfection.

No. Germicidal UV-C (GUV) has been used for decades to disinfect air, water, and surfaces. Signify has over 40 years of experience providing UV-C sources for use in a wide range of disinfection applications.

On a microscopic level, individual, UV-C photons interact with the RNA and DNA molecules in viruses and bacteria to render them non-infectious.

Germicidal effectiveness is proportional to the exposure dose (radiant exposure, typically in millijoules* per square centimeter, mJ/cm2, or joules per square meter, J/m2), which is the product of the radiant power (irradiance, typically in mW/cm2 or W/m2) and time (from 1 μs to several hours).

Germicidal effectiveness is usually measured on a log-scale, which is linearly associated with dose. For instance, if 1 mJ/cm2 UVGI (Ultraviolet germicidal Irradiance) achieves a 1-log (10-fold) killing rate, then 4 mJ/cm2 would achieve a 4-log (10,000-fold) killing rate. The 4-log rate is commonly referred to as 99.99%.

If a certain UV exposure kills 90% of a bacterial population (frequently referred to as "one-log kill"), doubling the exposure time or intensity can kill only 90% of the residual 10%, for an overall germicidal efficacy of 99% ("two-log kill"). To be effective in practice, achieving two log-kills (99% inactivation) is frequently accepted.

All known micro-organism is susceptible to UV-C. Bacteria, mold and fungi will be killed, and viruses will be inactivated. It is only a matter of how much time and how much radiant power is provided.

(Source: 1 Fluence (UV Dose) Required to Achieve Incremental Log Inactivation of Bacteria, Protozoa, Viruses and Algae Revised, updated and expanded by Adel Haji)

The dose required to achieve 1-log killing is often called the D90-value (where 90% of the pathogen is killed), and these values have been empirically determined for many pathogens and microorganisms.

(Source: Kowalski -2017)

UVC has been demonstrated to work very effectively to inactivate viruses including coronaviruses.

(Source: Darnell et al. – 2004 showed that UVC exposure resulted in >5 log reduction of SARS-CoV.)

The National Emerging Infectious Diseases Lab at Boston University conducted research to confirm the effectiveness of Signify’s UV-C sources in inactivating SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19. The research team identified that a dose of 22mJ/cm2 will result in a reduction of 99.99% of SARS-CoV-2.

(Source: Signify Press Release)

No. GUV is a segment of UV-C electromagnetic wavelengths, while Near-UV is 405nm wavelength visible light.

While GUV has proven to be highly effective at inactivating viruses and other pathogens, Near-UV has limited effectiveness against viruses, and requires long exposure times to be effective on surface bacteria.

GUV poses a health hazard to the eyes and skin if the lamps are improperly used or installed.

We have developed a UL8802 Safety Certified GUV System designed to meet new UL 1598 standards.

Like odor added to natural gas, the GUV source does have some emission that is visible so that you can see when it is on. These products are blue when on.

No. While UVGI has been shown to be an excellent surface disinfectant, it does not penetrate surfaces and cannot disinfect dirty surfaces. The inability of the UV radiant energy to reach shadowed recesses of surfaces or to penetrate dust and other matter may negatively affect disinfection. For these reasons, GUV is typically used as a supplement to other disinfection processes. “Enforcement Policy for Sterilizers, Disinfectant Devices, and Air Purifiers During the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Public Health Emergency Guidance for Industry and Food and Drug Administration Staff”.

(Source: fda.gov)

The cleaning of PPE should be conducted with FDA approved processes and technology. Currently, there is no FDA approval for use of these products for use in cleaning PPE. We recommend following manufacturer and FDA guidelines for the cleaning of PPE.

UV-C devices are officially listed as pesticide devices. As such, pesticides production facilities must be registered with the EPA. All our production facilities are registered and comply with these regulations.

There are both low-pressure discharge “pin-based” and LED solutions available.

The LED solutions, however, are limited, and the efficiency is orders of magnitude lower than GUV.

The CLS solution will use bi-pin sources and specialized materials to maximize the power distribution of the GUV. While they look like lamps, they do not produce visible light, so they are considered to be emitters.

Prolonged exposure to GUV will degrade paint, yellow plastics, and dull the surface finish of shiny objects.

Similiar to light energy, we have tested IES files that provide the irradiance and the electrical power needed to operate each fixture.

Similiar to lighting layouts, we can translate this into power delivered to an area in the same manner we calculate foot candles.

The power can be translated to the time needed to eliminate a pathogen based on its “dose”. This time is typically planned for elimination of 99.99% from the surfaces. In many cases the “4-log kill” is accomplished in minutes.

Cooper Lighting Solutions has released several fixtures in our Fail-Safe product line utilizing GUV disinfection technology, including a highbay, troffer, louvered parabolic, undercabinet, and strip. Click here to learn more about these products.

No, they do not. They take advantage of the natural air flow in the room due to convection, people moving in the space, as well as the HVAC system.

Air Change per Hour (ACH) is a measure of how many times the air within a defined space is replaced. Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) can directly improve by increasing the ACH with an HVAC system. Most commercial applications deliver 3-4 ACH. Recommendations from CDC are to deliver 6–10 ACH for optimal IAQ. With an HVAC system, 6 ACH is considered uncomfortable and above 10 is loud and windy. Our fixtures disinfect the air and increase the effective ACH (eACH) in a space without increasing the air flow in the room. Using these products, the eACH can reach up to 18, which has demonstrated 80% reduction in the spread of tuberculosis.

[1] Mphahlele.M. et al (2015) Institutional Tuberculosis Transmission: Controlled trial of upper room ultraviolet air disinfection – A basis for new dosing guideline.

[2] Interpolated data.

[3] Adapted from CDC (1994). Guidelines for preventing the transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in health care facilities. MMWR 1994; 43 (RR- 13): 1-32.

Exposure to GUV can cause temporary skin irritation (think sunburn) or eye irritation (think welder’s eye or mild eye sunburn). Our air disinfection products are optically designed to control the GUV irradiance and ensure it remains in the space above the occupants. UL 1598 annex L requires the installation to confirm.

Absolutely. These products are designed for continuous use in an occupied space.

Upper air fixtures are designed to disinfect air while surface fixtures are designed to disinfect surfaces. Upper air fixtures don’t require controls and can be on while the space is occupied, while surface fixtures can only be in use if the room is vacant. Using these products together greatly increases disinfection efficiency.

Yes, they comply with the UL 1598 standard and the new annex L requirements for GUV products.

Roughly speaking, a ceiling unit will deliver air disinfection for 120 square feet. To ensure irradiance requirements, the fixtures should be located at least 6 feet from the wall and can be spaced at least 12 feet apart. The wall units will cover approximately 160 square feet. These can be spaced 8 feet apart and can be installed as low as 8’3” from the floor. These are general guidelines and actual applications are influenced by the reflectivity of the ceiling and walls as well as the geometry of the room.

Absolutely. If requested, Cooper Lighting Solutions will create a design for you based on the dimensions of the room and the desired disinfection time. We can design the fixture layout to ensure the fluence rate delivers the effective air changes per hour (eACH ) desired and remain below the irradiance limits for the occupied portion of the room.

No. We are building a complete system that combines expertise in materials, optics, GUV sources and biology to develop complete solutions.

We have a microsite developed and will be adding new content often. (cooperlighting.com/guv)