The risk of UV causing cancer depends on the wavelength. UV-B (290-320 nm) is known to cause sunburn and, with chronic exposure, can lead to skin cancer. In contrast, UV-C, particularly Far UV-C, does not cause skin cancer when used properly.

UV-C exposure can pose some risks, including skin burns and eye issues such as photokeratitis. While there are photobiological risks, these do not always equate to long-term health risks when UV-C is used correctly.

UV-C disinfection is an energy-efficient, environmentally friendly solution that inactivates pathogens without chemicals or residues, preventing their spread or growth. Unlike other methods, pathogens are unable to develop resistance to UV-C light and it is an energy efficient solution - working continuously without manual intervention.

Far UV-C is light with wavelengths between 200-230nm, which is substantially shorter wavelengths than traditional UV-C germicidal light. This wavelength does not penetrate as deep into biological material, like skin, when compared to conventional germicidal UV light (254nm). The limited penetration significantly reduces the risk of potential harm to humans, such as skin burns and severe eye irritation, while remaining efficient in pathogen reduction.

Far UV-C serves as a complementary disinfection method to traditional chemical disinfectants. Both effectively reduce pathogens, but Far UV-C offers the added advantage of continuous, labor-free disinfection of surfaces and air, enhancing pathogen reduction without manual intervention.

Far UV-C provides all the benefits of traditional UV-C disinfection—energy efficiency, chemical-free operation, continuous pathogen inactivation, and resistance prevention—with added advantages like safe use in occupied spaces, safety for skin and eyes, mercury-free operation, and simultaneous disinfection of air and surfaces, effective against a wide range of pathogens, including flu and SARS-CoV-2.

Yes, Far UV-C has been proven effective at reducing airborne pathogens, as demonstrated by multiple scientific and field studies. For more details, visit our News and Research page.

Far UV-C technology is suitable for any area where people gather, especially high-risk settings such as healthcare facilities or environments with vulnerable populations (e.g., immunocompromised, very young, or elderly individuals). It is ideal for situations where consistent, continuous disinfection is challenging with conventional methods, such as during food outbreaks or in large crowds.

Yes. There are limited installations using Far UV-C technology to date, however, there is significant ongoing research at multiple world-renowned healthcare centers and early results indicate significant reduction in common healthcare-related pathogens.

Yes. Light sources that emit only 200-230nm are much safer than any other UV light sources and can therefore be used in occupied spaces. As verified by published scientific evidence, the allowable exposure levels of these lamps can be more than 25 times higher than traditional UV-C light sources. This only applies to UV light sources that are properly filtered, like Care222® technology.

One huge advantage for Far UV-C light is that it continually disinfects the air and surfaces at the same time. Far UV-C should always be used in addition to traditional disinfection methods. There can be large gaps of time between scheduled traditional cleaning cycles that can lead to pathogen regrowth. The continuous application of Far UV-C between these cycles significantly inhibits the regrowth of these pathogens.

Far UV-C technology is especially beneficial in settings with immunocompromised individuals, such as the very young, elderly, or those with weakened immune systems. It is also well-suited for crowded spaces and situations where traditional disinfection may be inconsistent or insufficient, such as food and water facilities, to ensure consistent and continuous pathogen reduction.

Yes. Each fixture uses less than 20 watts of energy.

Compared to other disinfection technologies, Far UV-C can provide continuous disinfection of surface and air. Other technologies only clean the air or surfaces – but not both at the same time. Other technologies, especially for surface disinfection, typically require manual labor.

Various research groups have performed numerous studies to test the effectiveness of Care222 filtered Far UV-C excimer lamps. Tests have shown the effectiveness in reducing pathogens on surfaces and in the air. For some examples of scientific research, visit our News and Research page.

Care222® is the most advanced Far UV-C light source technology combining cutting edge Krypton-Chloride (KrCl*) excimer lamps and sophisticated optical filters. The light source comes in an easy-to-use package that enables manufacturers to build high quality, reliable products.

Care222 lamp modules are a compact light source combining four excimer lamps and an optical filter. Combining these modules with sophisticated electrical drivers enables easy implementation and a very long lifetime. These modules have been developed based upon many years of excimer lamp experience and have been optimized for the use in air and surface disinfection. The modules are being integrated into a variety of commercial lighting fixtures by our manufacturing partners. Learn more about our Partners.

Yes. Several scientific studies have shown that Ushio’s Care222® lamps “effectively inactivate SARS-CoV-2 (the COVID-19 virus) and other respiratory viruses like the flu. A huge advantage of Care222® technology, is that it can continuously reduce pathogens, both in the air and on surfaces.

Any occupied space where there is potential for spread of pathogens. These high impact areas include healthcare facilities, public transportation, food processing facilities, schools and universities, office buildings, restaurants and bars, sports facilities and gyms. That said, any space where people come together is a proper location for Care222 technology.

Typically, healthcare settings have higher concentrations of pathogens and more “at-risk” populations. Far UV-C is expected to have the highest impact in these high-risk areas. In fact, healthcare settings are one of the most promising applications of Far UV-C technology.

Care222 integrated fixtures can be installed like any other lighting fixture – in the ceiling, mounted to a wall or a traditional standalone lamp. Typically, the lighting fixture manufacturer will create a design of where and how to mount and control the fixtures in a building. The installation should then be done by a professional – preferably a NALMCO certified UVC technician.

While Far UV-C does not eliminate particulates or other physical contaminants in the air, it significantly reduces pathogen concentrations, which is an important component of improving Indoor Air Quality.

The disinfection duration for Care222 depends on several factors, including the type of targeted pathogen, room size, fixture positioning, and for surface disinfection, the distance and material of surfaces. For air disinfection, room air exchange rates (ACH) also play a role. For optimized installation and accurate duration estimates, please consult our manufacturing partners, who specialize in fixture layout and placement. You can find them on our Partners page.

In general, no maintenance is required over the lifetime of the lamp. However, the lamps have a limited lifetime and will need to be exchanged at some point. Please follow the recommendation of the fixture manufacturer to ensure optimized performance.

No. You should still follow all the recommended safety protocols that have been recommended by various authorities and follow established operating cleaning procedures.

There are various national and international standards in place that dictate the use of Far UV-C in occupied and unoccupied spaces. These can vary based on your region and you should check with your country’s standards and regulations.