Ultraviolet (UV) light is a form of light, invisible to the human eye, that exists on the electromagnetic spectrum between X-rays and visible light. We are exposed to low levels of UV light from the sun’s rays every day, although much of the UV energy is absorbed by the ozone layer.

There are three UV light wavelength categories: UVA, UVB and UV-C. LumniCleanse offers UV-C technology, the only wavelength known to be germicidal. UV-C utilizes short-wavelength ultraviolet radiation (shorter than UVB and UVA, which are NOT germicidal) that is harmful to microorganisms.

Broad Spectrum UV disinfection often claims to be more effective than short wavelength UV-C, but ultimately wastes a considerable amount of energy with no documented increase in effectiveness – only short wavelength UV-C produces the amount of energy necessary to kill microorganisms.

UV-C wavelengths are between 200 and 300 nanometres, making them germicidal – meaning they are capable of inactivating microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses and protozoa. This quality makes UV-C energy an effective, environmentally-friendly and chemical-free way to prevent microorganisms from replicating in any environment, but especially in hospitals.

The high energy from short wavelength UV-C light is absorbed in the cellular RNA and DNA, damaging nucleic acids and preventing microorganisms from infecting and reproducing. This absorption of UV-C energy forms new bonds between nucleotides, creating double bonds or “dimers.” Dimerization of molecules, particularly thymine, is the most common type of damage incurred by UV-C light in microorganisms. Formation of thymine dimers in the DNA of bacteria and viruses prevents replication and ability to infect.

UV-C light is unsafe for humans if direct skin exposure occurs. Because of this our UV-C products are either provided with physically integrated equipment or time safeguards (such as presence or motion detection sensors or timers) or are installed together with the adequate containment safeguards to ensure that our UV-C products can be operated in line with the relevant safety standards.
UV-C disinfection equipment that we provide without integrated equipment or time safeguards are meant to be used only as components in disinfection systems that contain the adequate safety safeguards such as, but not limited to, those indicated in the mounting instructions and/or user manuals of such equipment.

LumniCleanse UV-C disinfection products must only be sold through qualified partners and installed by professionals according to our stringent safety and legal requirement.