LRC Survey Regarding The Public’s Views on UV Disinfection Products

LDS LRC UV survey 400

Sept 4, 2020

The present pandemic crisis has raised the profile of ultraviolet (UV) technologies designed to provide disinfection in a variety of buildings, including hospitals, long term care facilities, food service establishments, and offices. While some UV technologies are mature, several new technologies are not. In particular, new UV-LED products are now being offered for sale. With increasing options for products and applications, many consumers and product specifiers have questions about the safety, effectiveness, and energy efficiency of these products.

In order to address these concerns, the Lighting Research Center (LRC) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute is currently examining a range of UV disinfection technologies. The goal of this work is to provide information that will help decision makers select UV products that are effective, safe, and energy efficient. A unique feature of this effort is the testing and evaluation of several UV disinfection products. This project is supported by members of the LRC’s Lighting Energy Alliance and the McClung Lighting Research Foundation.

 “A hallmark of the LRC over the past 30 years has been our ability to accurately measure and evaluate lighting and related technologies,” said Dr. Mark Rea, the lead researcher on this effort. “Timely, accurate information on the performance and safety of UV products is crucial to people making decisions about the purchase and use of these technologies.”

 To launch the project, the LRC administered an online survey asking about people’s experiences with and concerns about UV disinfection products. Responses to the survey were received from over 200 people in June and July 2020. As shown in Figure 1 below, the largest percentage of respondents were lighting specifiers (38%) followed by lighting manufacturers (28%). Also responding were energy service personnel (11%) and lighting manufacturers’ representatives and distributors (9%). A few responses came from educators (8%), architects (3%), HVAC professionals (2%), and architectural engineers (1%).

Visit the LRC website HERE for the full survey results

Related Articles

Changing Scene

Design

  • Stanpro: 3 Tips to Ensure Efficient Lighting for a Hairdressing Salon

    Stanpro: 3 Tips to Ensure Efficient Lighting for a Hairdressing Salon

    Remember your last hair appointment: you’re in the waiting room. Perhaps you’re reading a book or magazine while you wait your turn. You’re watching the hairdressers as they cut, style and dye your hair. Have you ever wondered about salon lighting? Indeed, all these activities entail specific lighting requirements: hairdressers need to be able to… Read More…

  • LightForm: Unboring Project – The Flamingo, A Mid-Century Revival in Surrey, BC

    LightForm: Unboring Project – The Flamingo, A Mid-Century Revival in Surrey, BC

    Reviving a story that already exists is a compelling undertaking, especially if that story is steeped in nostalgia and reinvention. The Flamingo Project in Surrey, BC draws inspiration from the original Flamingo Hotel that once stood in the same spot. It was a mid-century modern destination that opened in 1955. Once known as a stylish… Read More…

New Products

  • SATCO|NUVO: Textured Finish, Decorative String Light Shade

    SATCO|NUVO: Textured Finish, Decorative String Light Shade

    Designed to reduce unwanted upward illumination while maintaining the warm, inviting atmosphere of decorative string lighting, SATCO’s Textured Finish String Light Shades deliver a more refined outdoor lighting experience. Featuring a textured metal finish for an industrial warm look, these shades are ideal for patios, restaurants, hospitality spaces, and outdoor gathering areas. Compatible with SATCO and many… Read More…

  • Cyclone Lighting Introduces New Stretto Luminaire

    Cyclone Lighting Introduces New Stretto Luminaire

    Cyclone has announced that it has released its Stretto luminaire. Stretto pairs a clean linear aesthetic with enduring performance for demanding urban environments. Stretto’s sleek, linear shape is designed to integrate naturally into contemporary urban environments. A subtle, continuous contour line wraps the luminaire, revealing two distinct sections that seamlessly unite into a single, composed… Read More…