UV Germicidal Lamps: A Versatile Solution to Kill Bacteria

No doubt about it, folks: Even some three years on, COVID-19 has changed the way the world looks at germs and bacteria. Sales of hand sanitizers and cleaning products soared as people waged war on germs.

Restaurants, airplanes, trains, concerts, and basically everywhere people congregated were off-limits as crowded venues became potentially dangerous hotbeds of germs and rampant infection sites.

Traditional Methods Only Lead to Super Viruses

Ask yourself if you now think twice before touching a handrail, an ATM screen, or even shaking someone's hand—we are all more conscious of how viruses spread through bacteria.

However, viruses and bacteria can become resistant to chemical cleaners—hand sanitizer, for instance, has been known to create what are called super-germs, the offspring of hardy germs that survive the cleansing process, who multiply and then become resistant to the alcohol cleanser entirely—and many of the more effective chemicals are known to be toxic to humans or harmful to the environment.

Is It a Safe Way to Combat Germs?

So, is there an alternative? What if I told you it’s... ultraviolet light?

Yep, germicidal ultraviolet lamps (also known as UVC light) can be the answer to eradicating harmful pathogens.

So, What is Germicidal UV Light?

Allow me to get technical for a moment to briefly explain just what it is: UV light with wavelengths fewer than 290nm are considered to have "germicidal" properties or the ability to kill harmful bacteria and germs.

Germicidal ultraviolet light—which germicidal lamps produce—kills pathogen cells by damaging their DNA and destroying their ability to reproduce.

The Discovery of UV Germicidal Light

Here's a bit of trivia for you: a couple of guys named Downes & Blunt discovered the antibacterial effects of the shorter wavelengths of sunlight, which led to the development of the first UV quartz lamp in 1904, which is the first-known use of ultraviolet germicidal irradiation.

Safe. Germ-Killing Lighting Today

Producing wavelengths of UVC 200nm–280nm, it was proven to have germicidal properties and, voila, a new category of lighting was born! Germicidal lamps, filled with UVC energy, are now the inexpensive, safe and set-it-and-forget-it option for killing germs on human skin, in a HVAC system, and anywhere its light spectrum is able to shine.

Applications and Availability

Jump ahead to 2023 and the UV germicidal lamp category has grown due to its amazing versatility and effectiveness and is used in countless commercial and industrial applications.

Take a look at the 1000Bulbs website and you will find UVC bulbs, germicidal lamps, and low‐pressure mercury lamps—low‐pressure mercury lamps have been used for over 90 years in as germicidal lamps, however LEDs have surpassed these possibly dangerous bulbs (if burst, they can let out toxic mercury into the air, which is harmful to breathe, but thankfully that's a rare occurrence) by offering the same UV disinfection systems, but with better safety and longevity

Searchable by brand, bulb shape, base type, and wattage with many different options including 2-pin, 4-pin, screw-in, linear bi-pin, and plug-in compatibility.

Don't forget that it's vitally important to know how much UV light you need before selecting a specific lamp. This will help you determine how many UV lamps you will need for your project.

Who Needs These Lights?

It's mind-boggling to consider how many facilities desperately need to be sanitized and we are extremely gratified to know that ultraviolet energy produced by germicidal lamps can serve as germ killers—aren't you?

Hospitals and medical facilities, where infections and viruses run rampant, have employed UVC germicidal lamps to reduce bacterial load by as much as 70% according to a recent major study and UVC has been proven to kill "superbugs" that can become resistant to antibiotics and chemical cleaners.

Schools, colleges, daycare centers, school gyms, and many more communal spaces can help keep students, faculty, and staff healthier by installing UVC lighting thereby reducing the dependency on harmful chemical cleaners.

The retail/hospitality industry is yet another sector that can make use of UV germicidal lamps and lighting.

What Happens When You Don't Use UV Germicidal Lamps

A notable study by a major manufacturer found, unsurprisingly, that 78% of hotel guests indicate that cleanliness is the single most important factor in choosing where to stay, and while thankfully we cannot see germs in visible light (they're not that big!), they can be detected and put out of commission quite easily by germicidal lamps. UV energy is a wondrous thing!

By using UVC or germicidal lamps, hotels and resorts can set their brand apart from the crowd by assuring the public that they take clean rooms seriously.

The restaurant industry also relies on germicidal ultraviolet light because it has proven effective at killing pathogens like E. coli and salmonella.

You may be shocked to learn that there are an estimated 48 million cases of food-borne illness every year according to the CDC! Reputations are made and mangled based upon reports of contamination or cleanliness.

I am sure we all recall the recent romaine lettuce scare and the headlines around Chipotle, so it's clear that UVC lighting can prove to be a very worthwhile investment.

These examples are just the tip of the iceberg. The list of commercial and industrial locations that could benefit from putting germicidal lights to work also include the travel industry, municipalities and government buildings, prisons, churches, community centers, wastewater facilities—virtually everywhere, if you think about it.

Well, Is Ultraviolet Light Radiation Safe?

Safety concerns are valid. We all know that direct exposure to UVC radiation via UV lighting can have damaging effects on both materials and people and a germicidal lamp is no different.

It is vital that appropriate products are selected for each specific application. When used properly, UVC systems can provide enough germicidal UV light to ensure that the pathogens are killed but not enough to cause damage to surfaces or materials.

Nevertheless, it is critical to follow directions and safe practices to ensure success. Remember that UVC lighting via a germicidal lamp is to be used for sanitation and purification purposes, not illumination.

Time and time again, it has proven to be extremely effective when implemented in the right way for the right project.

Start Your UV Germicidal Lamp Project Today

Keep it clean and germ free! For more information on how to get started using germicidal UV, remember that our support staff is always available to assist you.

To speak to a US-based lighting pro, call 1-800-624-4488 or visit 1000Bulbs.com to chat online. We will be happy to help you find everything you need from germicidal lamps to other commercial lighting applications.