COVID-19: Ushio’s virus inactivation module: 222nm/UV sterilization
COVID-19:
Ushio America, Inc.:
Supply to major US lighting fixture manufacturers
Signed a contract with Acuity Brands
To be commercialized in North America in the latter half of 2020
“Care222TM”:
On May 20, we signed a supply contract for 222nm UV sterilization/virus inactivation module with Acuity Brands, Inc. in the United States.
“Care222TM” inactivates and sterilizes viruses and bacteria by irradiating it with 222 nm UV light.
Acuity Brands,Inc:
Install the Care222 TM module in your own lighting fixture.
Use this lighting in a manned/unmanned environment,
For viruses/bacteria attached to walls/floors/doorknobs,
Develop products that inactivate and sterilize
Plans to start sales mainly in North America from the latter half of 2020 (planned for offices, commercial facilities, schools, public facilities, etc.)
Ushio’s target:
Focusing on the effect of ultraviolet rays, we have been developing the Care222 TM module for many years.
Lighting fixture manufacturer,
Sanitary equipment manufacturer,
Targeting electrical appliance manufacturers
We provide a wide range of Care222TM modules to contribute to reducing the risk of infection with viruses and bacteria and preventing pandemics.
■Acuity Press Release (English)
■Disinfection and virus inactivation technology by 222nm UV
Ushio Electric
https://www.ushio.co.jp/jp/news/1002/2020-2020/500640.html
Acuity Brands Announces Agreement with Ushio America, Inc. NYSE:AYI
June 01, 2020 08:15 ET | Source: Acuity Brands, Inc.
Atlanta, June 01, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —
Acuity Brands, Inc. (NYSE: AYI)
today announced it has entered into a strategic alliance agreement with Ushio America, Inc.(Ushio).
Ushio has agreed
to supply Acuity Brands with its Care222® UV disinfection module, which uses filtered excimer lamps to generate 222nm far-UVC light capable of inactivating viruses and bacteria on indoor surfaces.
Acuity Brands plans
to incorporate these lamps in a range of its products, including its ceiling and wall-mounted lighting fixtures that can operate in occupied or unoccupied spaces, to reduce pathogens.
The agreement is exclusive
to Acuity Brands for general illumination uses throughout North America.
Acuity Brands also
has non-exclusive rights to use the Care222 disinfection module worldwide (except Asia) for lighting and other uses.
When incorporated in Acuity Brands products and used with its control systems, which are commonly installed in spaces
such as offices,
- classrooms,
- restaurants,
- retail stores,
- restrooms and other public facilities,
the Care222 lamp module
will emit intermittent pulses of the 222nm UV light to reduce pathogens on surfaces.
The mercury-free Care222 excimer lamps produced by Ushio
feature a specially designed short pass filter, based on groundbreaking research and technology
developed by Columbia University, which filters out from the lamp the longer UV wavelengths that are harmful to humans.
The result is a narrow band 222nm wavelength of UV light that can inactivate viruses and bacteria, effectively preventing them from replicating.
Results from laboratory testing and clinical studies suggest that
the filtered UV light emitted from the Care222 lamp can reduce pathogens on surfaces without posing a health risk to human skin or eyes when used within appropriate parameters.
In contrast, possible acute and chronic damage to eyes and skin may result from the more generally employed 254nm UV wavelength used in many germicidal lamps,
although this UV wavelength can be used in interior spaces under certain conditions that sharply limit human exposure.
In addition,
although lamps in the 405-430nm wavelength range can also be used in occupied spaces, they are not as effective against viruses as lamps with lower-range UVC wavelengths.
“In recent years,
it has become increasingly paramount to find new, safer methods of reducing pathogens on surfaces throughout the day,” said Acuity Brands Lighting Senior Vice President, Rick Earlywine.
“We are excited about incorporating the Care222 UV light module into our lighting fixtures for use in both occupied and unoccupied spaces.
Using this module in our leading lighting fixtures installed in a space represents a significant advancement in protecting public areas against bacteria and viruses.”