By HFT Staff

Ultraviolet (UV) technology emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic as a proven tool for environmental services departments disinfecting surfaces in hospitals and other healthcare facilities to stop the spread of the coronavirus and other threats to human health. Now, the technology is moving to center stage of efforts to improve its performance and reliability. 

The Global Lighting Association (GLA) and the International Ultraviolet Association (IUVA) have agreed to co-operate on ultraviolet disinfection technology, also known as ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI). UVGI air disinfection technology is an established method for reducing infection risks caused by a range of contagious airborne diseases, such as measles, influenza and tuberculosis. Increasingly, it is also recognized as a key tool in reducing the level of indoor air contamination posed by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. 

The agreement provides the mechanism for the two organizations to co-operate in key areas, including: 

•  joint submissions and other approaches to organizations responsible for establishing ultraviolet disinfection standards and protocols 
• joint activities to promote credible information on the application and benefits of UV-C for disinfection of airborne pathogens 
• sharing expertise on safety, performance and effectiveness of ultraviolet disinfection technologies 
• consultation on health and wellbeing matters for people in buildings.