Can UV Kill COVID? Expert Lighting Group Says So

I know, it sounds like a scam. It sounds like something out of Star Trek. Something that a certain former president might irresponsibly shout at a press briefing without ever looking into the science behind it. But UV does, in fact, kill COVID. Well, maybe not “kill,” exactly. I’ll let Eric Hansel, founder and CEO of Expert Lighting Group, explain. 

“[Ultraviolet] is actually radiation, not a light. And at two hundred and fifty-four nanometers, it has proven — since the 1930s — to be able to break apart the DNA and RNA in harmful viruses and pathogens.

“It disrupts [viruses] by breaking them. [Ultraviolet] breaks down the harmful properties — by technical definition, it doesn’t kill them, but it kills the harmful properties within [COVID]. 

“So, it takes the stinger out of the bee.” 

This process of “removing the stinger” is called “inactivation.” Ultraviolet radiation, or UVC radiation, is a known disinfectant for air, water, and nonporous surfaces. It has been used effectively for decades to reduce the spread of bacteria like good ol’ tuberculosis. 

Wait, Ultraviolet Can Do What?

How UVC works against viruses and bacteria has to do with direct exposure, dose, and duration. UVC is only capable of inactivating a virus if the virus is directly exposed to radiation. Because of all the potential inhibitors (like dust or bodily fluids), most UVC is installed in HVAC systems. 

Guess what Expert Lighting Group is doing…

“The best strategy for a commercial building is to [install UVC in] their HVAC system. That way it’s not exposed to the general public. You put a warning sign on the HVAC unit itself and you put a separate on-off switch. 

“That way, when the air recirculates, it passes by the ultraviolet and then it works like a car wash for the air as it passes by. It kills any viruses or pathogens and then and then pushes it back out as cleaner air.”

Before you get too excited or call B.S., it’s important to note that UVC is not the end all be all. 

“If [someone] hacks and coughs on you from two feet away, is that going to stop you from getting sick? Probably not. 

“But, at the end of the day, UV is working in the HVAC system continually cleaning the air. So, you’re going to come back into a cleaner environment.”

In order to properly combat and eradicate COVID-19, you need to be vaccinated and continue wearing a mask in public spaces and where appropriate. Those are, currently, the most effective methods to combat this stupid virus. 

Ol’ Joe Will Pick Up The Tab

UVC installed in an HVAC unit is an added, effective layer of protection. One that is being rewarded by the federal government. Anything that accepts federal funding like healthcare facilities, schools, or houses of worship will pay to have UVC installed in their HVAC units to help combat COVID. 

Hansel and Expert Lighting Group is installing UVC in public spaces, government buildings, football stadiums. Anything from big commercial buildings to small mom-and-pop operations, Expert Lighting Group has been efficiently installing UVC wherever necessary.

“Ultraviolet, right now, is a very necessary product service that we’re offering and we’re extremely busy with the jobs with the program that that goes out to nonprofits. And as they qualify, it will be paid for in full by the federal government.”

The federal government will pay to have Expert Lighting Group install UVC into your HVAC systems? Seems like a pretty sweet deal. One wonders why one wouldn’t install such a simple, effective installation. 

Call An Expert

Of course, Expert Lighting Group does more than install UVC. They also were on the cutting edge of the LED side. Over the next ten years, Hansel pictures this for his company:

“There’s still plenty of lighting upgrade work that needs to be done. A lot of facilities have only done bits and pieces — maybe [they did] the parking lot. They still have to do their office buildings. 

“I think in the next 10 years, we’re going to see a lot of the inferior first-generation LED products fail and the need for an expert like Expert Lighting Group to come in and help them now work out.”

But, for now, ultraviolet seems to be the bread and butter for Expert Lighting Group. 

“And then this ultraviolet, I think there’s probably 10 years of educating the general public on how safe it is when it’s done properly and the effectiveness it has [in order] to help keep their buildings safe and give everyone under roof peace of mind.”

So, can UVC kill COVID? Not technically. Can UVC give everyone an effective, added layer of protection? You bet.