The Lighting Industry Association has released a statement advising against the use of UV-C products in a domestic setting, noting there are issues surrounding the safety of such devices.
Ever since the Covid-19 pandemic began, many in the electrical sector have wondered whether UV-C lighting could be the answer to sanitising surfaces. After all, it’s long been known that UVC light is more than capable of killing bacteria and viruses, and is the benchmark when it comes to the sanitisation of air, surfaces and water.
It’s that benchmark in sanitisation that has led some companies to make UV-C lighting more widely available. Signify, one of the world’s biggest manufacturers of lighting products, has invested significantly in UV-C lighting products with more than 12 new products launched this year alone. However, all of those products have been geared towards professional use, and for good reason.
The Lighting Industry Association is warning consumers and small businesses against being suckered into buying UV-C lighting products, noting that they can pose a hazard to human health if not used correctly. In fact, the association goes so far as to note that no one should buy the product without seeking professional assurances to ensure that they are safe for use.
What risk does UV-C lighting products pose?
The Lighting Industry Association has a team headed up by Dr Gareth John figuring out exactly what risks are posed by using UV-C lighting. His team is working alongside both the International UV Association as well as the now defunct Public Health England to come to a consensus on not only the safety of such devices, but also on their effectiveness.
Through membership of LightingEurope, the Lighting Industry Association has joined a Global Lighting Association task force to publish guidance on UV-C, its effectiveness, hazards and information on devices and applications. This guidance is to be adopted as a PAS by the IEC.
Additional work is being carried out by the Lighting Industry Association in the IEC, national committees of BSI and LightingEurope and it continues to monitor work from other international standardisation bodies and trade associations.
What resources are available for those wishing to use UV-C lighting safely?
The LIA recommends that anyone wishing to understand better the safe and effective utilisation and application of UV-C should consider the content of the resources listed below.
- GLA GLA Position Statement on Germicidal UV-C Irradiation
- CIE CIE Position Statement on the Use of Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation to Manage the Risk of COVID-19 Transmission · CIE 187:2010 UV-C Photocarcinogenesis Risks from Germicidal Lamps · CIE 155:2003 Ultraviolet Air Disinfection
- IEC IEC 62471 – Photobiological safety of lamps and lamp systems
- IEC/SC34D position statement for luminaire-based products using ultraviolet (UV) radiation to manage the risk of COVID-19 transmission – 34D/1568/INF (see file below) · IEC 60335-2-65 – Household and similar electrical appliances – Safety – Part 2-65:Particular requirements for air-cleaning appliances · IEC 60335-2-109 – Household and similar electrical appliances – Safety – Part 2-109: Particular requirements for UV radiation water treatment appliances
Will UV-C lighting ever be suitable for domestic properties?
The Lighting Industry Association is continuing to assess the situation regarding UV-C lighting products, and right now, based on the products available, the association is advising against the use of UV-C lighting products. Of course, that could change in the future as we get a better understanding of the technology or as new products come to market.