How Far-UVC Light Deactivates Pathogens

Masks stop the virus at your mouth. Vaccines disable it after you've become infected. But invisible ultraviolet light will be a first line of defense that can deactivate viruses before you breathe them in. "UVC" light neutralizes viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens by disrupting their nuclear RNA to prevent them from reproducing. It has proven to be a strong disinfectant and has long been used to sanitize air, surfaces, and water in factories, water treatment plants, office-buildings, schools, public transportation, and many other public and private spaces. 

Benefits of shortwave far-UVC light

And now, recent academic research has unveiled many previously unknown benefits of shorter-wavelength UVC light known as "far-UVC" light. Shortwave far-UVC light, at wavelengths from 200-to-240 nanometers, doesn't penetrate the skin far enough to reach live cells. New technologies have recently enabled more cost-effective delivery of far-UVC light at these shorter wavelengths—including solid-state solutions versus an earlier generation of gas lamps and bulbs.

And research has shown that far-UVC light deactivates pathogens effectively. Several Columbia University reports, including one in Nature, and one of many Kobe University studies (below), explain these advantages in detail. 

Academic studies on far-UVC disinfecting light
    • Kobe University study: Joint research between Kobe University and Ushio Inc. has studied in detail the effects on human skin of direct and repetitive illumination from 222nm ultraviolet radiation. (Read the report here.)