April 28, 2020
Signify is harnessing the beneficial germicidal and antiviral properties of UV-C to aid in the disinfection of hospitals, schools and more
Our Ultraviolet C (UV-C) product line has found itself in the front line in the fight against the spread of COVID-19. But what is UV-C? How exactly is it helping and what products do we currently provide?
Read on to learn more about UV-C, our portfolio and where it’s making a difference.
Systems acquired from OEMs include air disinfection units suitable for use in rooms where COVID-19-infected patients are being treated. These ceiling-mounted units rely on natural or mechanical ventilation in the room. Contaminated air, at an upper level, passes through a ‘UV-zone’ where it’s disinfected.
The Foundation also donated mobile UV-C units that can be wheeled to parts of a hospital for the disinfection of surfaces. One of the first hospitals to receive such units was the 1,000-bed Huoshenshan Hospital, in Wuhan, China. This is the hospital which grabbed headlines for being built in just 10 days.
UV-C lighting is a technology whose time has surely come. It represents a highly effective means of disinfection and greatly limits the use of chemicals. However, it must be used with care and systems installed, managed and disposed of professionally.
Exposure to UV-C radiation can quickly burn the skin and cause eye damage. It’s vital that all safety instructions are followed, and shielding is in place and people absent when necessary, depending on the type of system being used.
We foresee wide-ranging applications for UV-C that extend well beyond the disinfection of hospitals. But for now, it’s gratifying to know that the lighting technology we’re providing is on the front line helping to eliminate the spread of the virus.
Signify (Euronext: LIGHT) is the world leader in lighting for professionals, consumers and the Internet of Things. Our Philips products, Interact systems and data-enabled services, deliver business value and transform life in homes, buildings and public spaces. In 2023, we had sales of EUR 6.7 billion, approximately 32,000 employees and a presence in over 70 countries. We unlock the extraordinary potential of light for brighter lives and a better world. We have been in the Dow Jones Sustainability World Index since our IPO for seven consecutive years and have achieved the EcoVadis Platinum rating for four consecutive years, placing Signify in the top one percent of companies assessed. News from Signify can be found in the Newsroom, on X, LinkedIn and Instagram. Information for investors is located on the Investor Relations page.