Frequently Asked Questions

While conventional UV-C light has been used for more than 100 years to disinfect operating rooms in hospitals, it requires clearing a room and/or donning protective gear to guard those applying it from harmful side effects like skin cancer and cataracts. UV light covers a spectrum between 100-400nm and is invisible to humans. Within that spectrum, conventional UV-C light covers a spectrum from 200 – 280nm. Conventional UV-C often refers to devices and lamps that emit UV-C light having a peak irradiance of around 254nm light and is known for its germicidal irradiation properties. 

The benefit is 254nm UV-C light breaks down the DNA/RNA in pathogens, either killing them or inactivating them. Conventional UV-C is highly effective at inactivating pathogens and is often used in medical and/or surgical settings (for example, sterilizing an operating room and/or specific surgical equipment). This conventional UV-C light is not safe for human exposure so when conventional UV-C is used in professional/medical settings, protective gear is utilized and/or humans cannot be present in the area when conventional UV-C is in use. The damaging effects of conventional UV-C on humans are widely known. 

Far UV-C refers to the narrow band of UV-C light from 200nm - 230nm. Often referred to as 222nm because light at this specific wavelength has been scientifically proven and substantiated by leaders in the photo-biological community, as well as in peer-reviewed scientific publications, to have the same efficacy as 254nm UV-C but is human-safe. A team of researchers led by David Brenner, PhD, director of the Center for Radiological Research at Columbia University discovered a way to filter Far UV-C wavelengths, first reported in 2013. To date there have been numerous studies by multiple leading universities and scientific entities on mice, humans, human skin, human eyes that have shown that filtered Far UV-C can inactivate pathogens such as coronavirus, Influenza, E. coli, Salmonella and more, from commonly touched surfaces in seconds; and when used within ACGIH dose limits, this can be achieved in a way that is safe on human skin and eyes in occupied settings.

Filtered Far UV-C is the narrow band of wavelengths with a peak irradiance of 222nm that has the same efficacy as conventional UV-C, but uses a special optical band pass filter to block the “tail” of  UV-C wavelengths above 230nm that are harmful to humans. The methodology for this special filter is patented by Columbia University. Ushio has the exclusive license for Columbia’s patented filtered Far UV-C technology. Filtered Far UV-C is shown to be safer than non-filtered Far UV-C in occupied settings when used within American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) dose limits. Filtered Far UV-C is the focus of the scientifically published research as it is the filter that enables the high efficacy of 222nm lamp that is shown to be safe to use when used within the current American Conference of Governmental Hygienists (ACGIH) dose limits when humans are present because it does not penetrate the layer of dead cells on skin or the tear layer of the eye. 

All use UV-C light. All can have high efficacy. But, only filtered Far UV-C has shown to be safer in occupied settings when used within ACGIH dose limits due to the patented, optical band pass filter that blocks out the “tail” of conventional UV-C wavelengths that are harmful to humans

There is risk of human exposure to dangerous wavelengths with any non-enclosed conventional UV-C and/or non-filtered Far UV-C device. For example, with wands that have 180 degree lights, the light (while it may cover a larger surface area) will also not be focused 100% down toward a surface as it is able to “spray” light from all angles so anyone near it risks exposure. Also, light reflects off surfaces so even if the wand is pointed downward toward a surface, there may be reflection upon whatever or whomever is nearby the surface it is being reflected from causing exposure to skin and eyes that could be quite dangerous in a matter of seconds. Depending on the lamp intensity, erythema-causing exposure can happen in seconds as can pre-cancerous DNA changes.

BeamClean™ is a handheld, portable filtered Far UV-C device that people can use to inactivate pathogens on commonly touched surfaces. BeamClean™ utilizes Ushio’s Care222 technology that utilizes Columbia University’s patented filtered technology. BeamClean™ inactivates a variety of pathogens (including COVID-19) in seconds. BeamClean™ is fully owned by Freestyle Partners, LLC. 

Filtered Far UV-C is considered a pesticide and therefore falls under EPA regulations.  The EPA has issued Freestyle Partners, LLC a preliminary registration.  Filtered Far UV-C, when used within American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH) dose limits as well as the recently updated IES/ANSI standards, can be achieved in a way that is safe on human skin and eyes in occupied settings.

Freestyle Partners, LLC has been granted 62 patents across 30 countries from the U.S. and foreign Patent Offices covering portable, handheld uses of filtered Far UV-C light to eradicate pathogens on commonly touched surfaces in seconds as well as in-vehicle transportation (airplanes, automobiles, buses, ships, trains, etc.) to cover both air and surface disinfection.

Freestyle’s growing patent portfolio includes dozens of pending patents spanning 50+ countries.

Anyone looking to inactivate pathogens on commonly touched surfaces such as keyboards, handles, desks, groceries, gym equipment, etc. will benefit. The uses are broad and varied from consumers as well as in office, commercial, transportation and healthcare offices, and more

No. It is still important to wash hands and follow CDC guidelines.

No. It actually takes several minutes of wiping your hands & surfaces with those disinfectant products to secure full efficacy.