Companies across the country are using this process to keep their spaces disinfected.
It has been proven that ultraviolet light kills bacteria and viruses, a method that has been used for hundreds of years. And a Colorado company that specializes in disinfectant lighting is getting a lot of attention lately due to the special light bulbs they make.
Puro UV Disinfectant Lighting from Lakewood manufactures ultraviolet lights to disinfect hospital rooms and uses a light flash that radiates a broad-spectrum UV pulse. The process kills 99 percent of bacteria and viruses, including the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). When the coronavirus pandemic hit, they found themselves getting calls from all over the country from companies looking for ways to reopen and keep their spaces safe for employees and the public.
In Colorado, one area of business that has reached out to use the UV light disinfection process has been in hospitality. Breckenridge Grand Vacations has partnered with the company to keep their hotels disinfected and safe for every guest that comes through. Hotels owned by Breckenridge Grand Vacations reopened on June 1, and they hope the use of the disinfecting lights will make customers feel safe and reassured.
Puro has worked with gyms, the New York City subway system, hospitals, and more, and they expect to get more interest as places begin to reopen.
Puro explains the UV light process on its website:
“UV light produces electromagnetic energy that can destroy the ability of microorganisms to reproduce by causing photo-chemical reactions in nucleic acids (DNA & RNA). The ultraviolet energy triggers the formation of specific thymine or cytosine dimers in DNA and uracil dimers in RNA, which causes inactivation of microbes by causing mutations and/or cell death and failure to reproduce.”
The process uses a unit that can be portable or mounted on a wall or ceiling and emits a flash of the UV light every 15 seconds throughout a 30-minute cycle. The technology involves the use of "a powerful, broad-spectrum light, including germicidal UV-C, UV-B and anti-bacterial UV-A to optimize their germ-killing efficiency. UV-C is most traditionally referred to as germicidal UV with the ability to kill bacteria, viruses, mold, and fungus. UV-A and UV-B light causes oxidation of proteins and lipids causing cell death."
This video from the company goes into further detail:
While there currently is no known way to completely prevent the coronavirus from getting into buildings and being spread, the use of this disinfecting light process is a way for businesses to try and open up, ensure safety, and adjust to the new "normal." For hotels, in particular, this is likely to be a very big challenge.
Did you know there was a UV light technology like this that could help keep spaces from getting infected? Does the use of this process make you feel more comfortable about getting back to activities, like staying in hotels? Sound off in the comments.