UV-C Lighting

UV-C Lighting

Ultraviolet (UV) rays are the wavelengths outside of the visible light portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, ranging from 100nm - 400nm (nanometers).



Within this band exists a range of rays called UVC, from 100 to 280 nanometers. These rays are medically categorized as germicidal, giving any rays in this range the ability to disable or kill bacteria, viruses, and protozoa. Research has shown UVC light to be effective at inactivating a range of viruses including the COVID-19 Coronavirus.

  • The UV-C Germicidal range is between 100 – 280 nm
  • Handheld and Mobile Units use a wavelength of 254 nm
  • UV-C damages RNA/DNA of microorganisms resulting in Inactivation

Microbial Inactivation by UV Light

  • In order to inactivate microorganisms, UV energy must be absorbed somehow
  • DNA & RNA happens to absorb light in the UVC range emitted by UV lamps
  • DNA & RNA are the master instructions for the cell
  • UV damages these nucleic acids and prevents cell replication

How Ultraviolet Disinfection Works

UV Light penetrates microorganism membranes destroying DNA and preventing reproduction.

Can UVC Inactivate COVID-19?

COVID-19 is the respiratory disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus that is responsible for outbreaks worldwide. COVID-19 is a small, single-stranded RNA virus that is much easier to inactivate than mold or any sporicidal pathogen.

Boston University Study

Determines the UV Dosage that Inactivates COVID-19

UV Dosage is the germicidal energy delivered to the target, measured in mJ/cm2 (millijoules per square centimeter)

“Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, the National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories at Boston University have conducted research that validates the effectiveness of Signify’s UV-C light sources on the inactivation of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.



The team exposed materials containing the virus to a UV-C tube lamp and found that a dose of 5 mJ/cm2 resulted in a 99% reduction of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in 6 seconds. (SARS-CoV-2 is the more scientific name for the novel coronavirus)


Based on the data, it was determined that a dose of 22mJ/cm2 will result in a reduction of 99.9999% in 25 seconds.”


Dr. Anthony Griffiths, Associate Professor of Microbiology at Boston University School of Medicine

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