Technology to reduce pathogens1 and help people feel safer
with a variety of science-based strategies from the lighting leader.
UV Light Disinfection* Technology – Designed with Your Wellbeing in Mind
The Challenge with Common Pathogens1
The Pandemic has shown the massive impact pathogens can have on our lives.
Finding ways to reduce the spread of pathogens has become a priority for organizations.
Figuring out how to do this can be intimidating and difficult.
The Potential of UV Light Disinfection
Decades of research and history demonstrate UV light can effectively inactivate many common pathogens.
UV light must be applied carefully to balance safety and pathogen1 reduction.
There are many UV light disinfection strategies that can be tailored to specific requirements.
Expand Your UV Knowledge
Learn more about the history behind UV technology
and our modern approach to UV.
Have 20 minutes to spare? Check out our previously recorded live launch event introducing you to the modern portfolio of UV technologies from Acuity Brands.
Primary UV Lighting Strategies
Continual Air & Surface Disinfection Technology (222nm)
Continual air and surface disinfection technology is designed to neutralize pathogens1 with people present, while meeting safety guidelines. Ideal applications for continual air and surface disinfection solutions include office conference rooms, house of worship, restaurants, classrooms and other high-touch spaces. Utilizing 222nm wavelengths, the UV light can inactivate viruses1 and bacteria1 by disrupting the RNA and DNA, preventing reproduction.
Intense Air & Surface Disinfection Technology (Pulsed Xenon – Broad Spectrum)
Intense air and surface disinfection technology is designed for rapid reduction of the pathogenic1 bioburden while a space is unoccupied. Ideal applications for intense air and room disinfection solutions are operating rooms, school restrooms, gym workout rooms, teacher breakrooms and other high touch spaces that can be treated while occupants are NOT present. Utilizing a broad spectrum of UVA, UVB and UVC wavelengths, the UV can inactivate viruses1 and bacteria1 by disrupting the RNA and DNA, preventing reproduction.
Onboard Air Disinfection Technology (Concealed 254nm)
UV onboard air disinfection technology is a modern approach to UV germicidal upper air room treatment. Since the air chamber is sealed, there is not UV light present in the space, which means this UV light disinfection technology is inherently safe and does not run the risk of degrading any room materials. Utilizing 254nm UV wavelengths, the pathogen1-contaminated air comes up through the chamber, passes through a concealed chamber containing 254nm wavelengths which treats the air automatically and continuously, and then the treated air exits the chamber into the room.
Partner with Confidence
Science-based approaches from Acuity Brands, a lighting leader with over 100 years of lighting experience.
Offering a diversity of solutions for your unique requirements. Including strategies for occupied and unoccupied spaces, focused on inactivation of harmful pathogens1 on surfaces or in the air or a combination.
Occupant safety is our top priority. Our carefully engineered products can meet or exceed safety regulatory guidelines.
UV Lighting Frequently Asked Questions
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What is UV Lighting?
UV Lighting is a method of incorporating ultraviolet UVA, UVB and UVC wavelengths into light fixtures to inactivate pathogens1. Pathogens that can be inactivated may include both viruses1 and bacteria1. Reduction of the pathogenic bioburden can be achieved both in the air and on surfaces depending on the type of fixture. There are many types of technologies and some can be used in occupied spaces while some require the space to be unoccupied.
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Does UV Light Kill Viruses1?
Technically no. Since a virus is not a living organism, it cannot be killed. However, UVC Light can inactivate viruses by disrupting the DNA and RNA genetic material in the virus which prevents it from reproducing.
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Does UV Light Kill Bacteria1?
UVC Light can kill (inactivate) bacteria by damaging the DNA and RNA genetic material in the bacteria. UVB, UVA, and even visible light, can also inactivate bacteria, however, in these longer wavelengths, effectiveness is diminished since the inactivation method changes and no longer disrupts the DNA and RNA.
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What are UV Lights used for?
UV Lights can be used in a multitude of occupied and unoccupied spaces depending on the type of UV light disinfection strategy you implement. UV lights can be used for inactivating viruses1 and bacteria1 in virtually any space. Acuity Brands recommends utilizing UV light disinfection in spaces such as school classrooms, office conference rooms, restaurant and hospitality, public areas, health clubs, hospital patient rooms, operating rooms, and other spaces high-touch spaces.
Acuity Brands UV Light Disinfection Technology
See Products**Resources
*All references to “disinfection” are referring generally to the reduction of pathogenic bioburden and are not intended to refer to any specific definition of the term as may be used for other purposes by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Reduction of the pathogenic bioburden is a function of fixture run time and the distance to the UV light source, airflow, room size, shadow areas and/or other factors, and the level of reduction will vary within a specific space. This fixture is not intended for use in the cure, mitigation or prevention of disease and is not certified or approved for use as a medical device by the FDA. It is the obligation of the end-user to consult with a qualified Professional Engineer and a Certified Industrial Hygienist, if applicable, to determine whether this fixture meets the applicable requirements for system performance, code compliance, safety (including safety and hazard alerting signs), suitability and effectiveness for use in a particular application design. In no event will Acuity Brands Lighting be responsible for any loss resulting from any use of this fixture in an application design.
**Does not meet California air cleaner regulation requirements; cannot be shipped to California.
1 Refer to product specification sheets at acuitybrands.com/UV-Products for efficacy claims and claim substantiation regarding specific products and pathogens.
All trademarks referenced are property of their respective owners.