It has been known for many years that UV light is a highly effective disinfectant that can reduce pathogens in indoor spaces. Businesses and other institutions have long used germicidal UVC light to stop the spread of viruses. The main drawback with most UVC technology is that it uses a 254nm wavelength that can penetrate human skin and eyes, which means these germicidal lights can only be used when people are not present or while they’re wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) that protects the eyes and skin. These shortcomings constrain how these devices must be operated and limit their widespread use in occupied indoor spaces.
Christie has announced the launch of the Christie CounterAct line of commercial UV disinfection products with patented Care222 far-UVC light technology for cinemas, theme parks, museums, sports complexes and other indoor spaces.
Unlike comparable products, the Christie fixture uses Ushio’s patented narrowband filtered Care222 excimer lamps that emit far-UVC 222nm light – the only UV technology shown to continuously and significantly reduce pathogens, like coronaviruses, that may also be used while people are present, when used in accordance with specified parameters. Mass production of the new Christie CounterAct fixture starts in January 2021.
Developed by Christie’s parent company, Ushio Inc., based on technology licensed from Columbia University, the revolutionary Care222 far-UVC, mercury-free excimer lamp—highlighted in FORTUNE magazine’s annual Change the World list in 2020, includes a proprietary short pass filter that prevents the emission of longer wavelengths of UV light (230nm and higher) that are capable of penetrating human skin and eyes, an especially important feature that other 222nm and far-UVC products do not have. Christie CounterAct introduces an added layer of defence against pathogens in indoor venues when guests and staff are present.
Christie CounterAct is a line of fixtures that are simple to control remotely and can be installed on ceilings as easily as a commercial lighting fixture. It is well suited for use across a wide range of occupied, commercial areas such as entertainment venues, including lobbies, auditoriums, and restrooms, as well as other indoor spaces. Our first Christie CounterAct fixture contains two Care222 excimer far-UVC lamps that significantly reduce pathogens on surfaces of any indoor space. The fixture, with fast instant on/off at full output power and its Care222 technology lamps, has been shown effective at reducing pathogens in laboratory tests. And unlike other UV technology, these fixtures with patented Care222 lamps may be used when people are present.
A study conducted by Kobe University published in August 2020 concludes that, due to its shorter wavelength, far-UVC 222nm light does not penetrate the skin and therefore may be used when humans are present. Another recent study published in the American Journal of Infection Control shows that far-UVC 222nm light can effectively reduce more than 99.7% of surface contamination of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus that causes COVID-19.
