Water
Expanding and increasingly dense urban populations place tremendous demands on water infrastructure and industry. While a global problem, this is both notable and extreme in some fast growing Asian countries such as China. In fact, at the end of the last 5-year Plan Period (2015) more than 85 percent of the surface water was deemed unsafe to drink in Shanghai.
As the need for safer and more effective ways to disinfect water become more urgent, UVC LEDs are leading the way as a proven method for achieving protection from microbiological (virus, bacteria, parasite) sources.
Typical waterborne microbial contaminants include bacteria such as Escherichia coli (E. coli) pseudomonas, legionella, viruses such as Rotavirus, Adenovirus, Hepatitis and parasites such as giardia (beaver fever) and cryptosporidium. UVC LED-based solutions tackle these pathogens without impacting the water’s smell, taste or mineral contents.
Surface
The CDC has linked C. diff infections to approximately $1 billion in excess medical costs. When in its endospore form, this pervasive pathogen can remain viable on surfaces for several weeks, even months.
Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI), a disinfection method where UVC light is used to inactivate microorganisms, is a proven method to combat surface pathogens like C. diff and MRSA, protect patients and reduce the risk of healthcare-associated infections.
As the threat of antibiotic resistant microorganisms increases, UVC LEDs are a potent infection prevention tool capable of providing on-demand, quantifiable surface disinfection at the point-of-need.
Air
A rapidly expanding global population, especially evident in Asia, is placing a strain on industry and energy infrastructures resulting in a decrease in air quality and increase in associated deaths. Almost 4 million deaths in 2015 were attributed to air pollution.
Population growth, compounded with rapid urbanization has amplified the potential for bacteria and viruses to spread quickly. UVC LEDs can improve indoor air quality and decrease infections when integrated into air purifiers and humidifiers.
When combined with photo-catalysis, UVC LEDs for air purification can play an expanded role in air quality by eliminating, not just trapping, pollution based volatile organic compounds (VOC) that jeopardize health and safety.