Puro-Air Newsletter

Germicidal lamps are short wave low pressure mercury vapor tubes that produce ultraviolet wavelengths that are lethal to microorganisms. Germicidal lamps should not be confused with sunlamps or black light lamps, for while these are also ultraviolet lamps, the ultraviolet produced is of longer wavelength and is not useful for germicidal applications. Approximately 95% of the ultraviolet energy emitted from the germicidal lamps is at the mercury resonance line of 254 nanometers. This wavelength is in the region of maximum germicidal effectiveness and is highly lethal to virus, bacteria and mold spores. Nanometer (NM) is the unit of length used to describe ultraviolet wavelengths.

Germicidal lamps are used to: disinfect air and water, disinfect foods and destroy pollutants in water and air.

UV energy is also effective in killing biological contaminants such as mold, fungi, bacteria and viruses.

The most common applications are in hospitals and health care facilities, food processing plants, shelters, prisons, and office buildings.

According to the Center for Disease Control Common harmful molds can be found in air-conditioning systems. In fact, the U.S. Government requires UV lamps above cooling coils to control microbial growth in government buildings.