Ultraviolet light (UV), which constitutes about 10% of the total sunlight, is a form of electromagnetic radiation with wavelengths longer than x-rays but shorter than visible light. UV light wavelength ranges up to 400 nm and is categorized into three types: UV-A, UV-B, and UV-C.

UV-C sub-band includes wavelengths below the range of 280 nm. Within this part of the spectrum, the range of 200 nm to 280 nm is considered most effective for disinfection. The ozone layer blocks out most of the UV-C, but with the help of UV-C disinfection light devices, it is possible to harness this energy for its germicidal properties.

The world has known about the disinfection properties of UV-C for a long time. More than 140 years ago, the antibacterial attribute of UV light in shorter wavelengths was discovered by Arthur Downes and Thomas P. Blunt. This was quickly followed by the emergence of scientific evidence regarding the ability of UV-C to kill pathogens.

Once it was proven that UV-C has the power to destroy microorganisms, researchers began focusing on developing technology to replicate UV-C wavelengths to disinfect air, water, and surfaces. This has eventually led to the invention of modern UV-C disinfection light devices and systems that are now widely used in commercial indoor spaces of all sizes to fight airborne infections.

When microorganisms in the indoor air are exposed to UV-C disinfection light, the radiation at specific wavelengths quickly destroys their genetic material and inactivates them. The pathogens (including drug-resistant pathogens) lose their ability to multiply and are rendered incapable of transmitting infection.

At a biological level, the UV-C exposure triggers the production of uracil dimers in the microbe’s RNA and certain cytosine or thymine dimers in their DNA. This leads to the pathogen’s inactivation because of its inability to reproduce, cellular damage, and mutations.

According to the CDC, although the quantum of UV-C light required to destroy a particular pathogen could vary because of the correlation between the UV radiation and the DNA molecular size, researchers have not reported any events where the targeted microorganisms may have developed immunity to UV-C disinfection light.

Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation or UVGI is the technology that harnesses the power of UV-C to eliminate or inactivate microbes. The power of UVGI as a dependable solution for disease isolation and providing strong biodefense for buildings has been recognized, used, or endorsed not only by the CDC but also the US Army and FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency.)

Building owners and facility managers that are seeking to protect their building occupants and visitors against indoor air infection risks should know about UVGI, which powers the UV-C disinfection light devices. UVGI is not about “sterilization,” which involves the use of chemical or physical methods of disinfection. The UVGI technology from Aerapy delivers to you the power of “disinfection,” which is the scientific process to destroy most or all types of known pathogenic microbes.

Aerapy offers science-backed and award-winning UV-C disinfection light solutions for commercial, industrial, healthcare, and mobile applications. As one of the respected manufacturers and innovators in this field since 2008, Aerapy can be your most reliable and trusted partner for UV devices for upper room and HVAC disinfection. To schedule a free UV consultation, call us at 866-994-2473 or contact us online.