The International Ultraviolet Association (IUVA) has released a white paper titled "Far UV-C Radiation: Current State-of Knowledge," which is a scientific review of Far UV-C technology and the state of the art research featuring key conclusions made through analysis of published literature and collation of expert knowledge.

Download the White Paper

In addition, the IUVA Far UV-C Task Force will hold a webinar on Wednesday, May 12, 2021 from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM EDT to discuss the white paper. Please see details about the webinar along with registration information here.

Learn more about the IUVA efforts to support the global fight against Covid-19 at https://iuva.org/iuva-covid-19-faq.

Public water systems (PWSs) implement ultraviolet (UV) disinfection for the inactivation of regulated pathogens in accordance with the requirements of the Long Term 2 Enhanced Surface Water Treatment Rule (LT2ESWTR) and the Ground Water Rule (GWR), and the guidance provided by the Ultraviolet Disinfection Guidance Manual (UVDGM). Since the UVDGM was published in 2006, there has been considerable advancement in the understanding and application of UV technologies, particularly in the area of UV dose monitoring and validation. This documentation presents new approaches and procedures for monitoring and validation that leverage these advances. The contents of this document meet the requirements of the LT2ESWTR and conform to the underlying principles of the UVDGM. These additional approaches and recommendations are presented for consideration when applying UV disinfection for the inactivation of Cryptosporidium, Giardia, and viruses. The beneficiaries for this document include UV system manufacturers, validators, consultants, utilities, and regulators. Detailed information is presented on designing test plans, conducting evaluations, and reporting of results associated with four new UV calculated dose monitoring approaches. These methods and procedures may provide utilities with more cost-effective and robust implementation of UV disinfection. In addition, checklists and validation report outlines are presented to aid Regulators in approving systems. This document also provides recommendations on general procedures and reference documentation that support approaches currently being used but not documented in the UVDGM for validating and operating a UV system.

Read More >>

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Gary Cohen, 240-497-1242, gcohen@iuva.org

Chevy Chase, MD (April 24, 2020) Recent reports suggest that ultraviolet (UV) light can be used on the human body to disinfect against the coronavirus. The International Ultraviolet Association (IUVA) and RadTech North America are educational and advocacy organizations consisting of UV equipment vendors, scientists, engineers, consultants, and members of the medical profession. We would like to inform the public that there are no protocols to advise or to permit the safe use of UV light directly on the human body at the wavelengths and exposures proven to efficiently kill viruses such as SARS-CoV-2. UV light under the conditions known to kill such viruses can cause severe skin burns, skin cancer, and eye damage. There is information that a specific type of UV light, sometimes called “far UV-C” (at wavelengths from 200 - 225 nm) can disinfect viruses without damaging skin and eyes, but this information is considered to be preliminary and there are no protocols to ensure that it is applied effectively and safely. We strongly recommend that anyone using UV light to disinfect medical equipment, surfaces, or air in the context of COVID-19, applications that are supported by sound scientific evidence, follow all recommended health and safety precautions and to avoid direct exposure of the body to the UV light.

Additional Information on UV Technology for Disinfection

The ultraviolet spectrum is a band of electromagnetic radiation at higher energies than visible light, split into four major categories: UV-A (400 – 315 nm), UV-B (315 – 280 nm), UV-C (280 – 200 nm), and vacuum-UV (VUV, 100 – 200 nm). UV-A and UV-B are present in sunlight at the earth’s surface; these parts of the ultraviolet spectrum are common causes of sunburn and, with longer-term exposure, melanoma. The risks of human exposure to UV-A and UV-B are well known. Solar UV may be used for disinfection purposes; exposures in the order of several hours to days might be effective at treating surfaces and water. Artificial sources of UV-A and UV-B are not commonly used for disinfection.

UV-C has been used for disinfection for over a century, with applications in water treatment, air systems, and surfaces. The use of UV-C as a disinfectant is supported by decades of scientific research. UV-C radiation is absorbed by DNA and RNA (the genetic code for all lifeforms), changing its structure. This damage inhibits the ability of the affected cells to reproduce, meaning that they cannot infect and are no longer dangerous. Whereas the UV exposure required to inactivate different microorganisms varies, though there are no known microorganisms that are immune to this treatment and it is regularly used against bacteria, viruses, and protozoa.

In the same way that UV-C can inactivate bacteria and viruses, it can be damaging to human cells too, since our cells also contain DNA. This exposure can cause skin irritation, damage to the cornea, and cell mutations leading to cancer. Exposure to UV-C radiation is regulated globally, with a common agreement on the risk to human health and safe exposure levels. These regulations and standards set limits on allowable daily exposure.

In summary:

• UV-C irradiation of the skin, eyes, or any body part should be avoided wherever possible.
• Always wear appropriate personal protective equipment when handling un-shielded UV-C radiation sources (e.g. long-sleeved clothing, gloves, and a UV-opaque face shield).
• Always use UV-C devices in accordance with the manufacturer’s operating instructions to ensure safe operation, and within appropriate enclosures where light leakage has been controlled, and where the risks have been properly managed.
• The case for far UV-C light (200 - 225 nm) is less certain. While evidence in the laboratory suggests that it may be safe under some conditions, based primarily on animal studies and not on longitudinal human studies, there is a lack of protocols to govern the safe construction and operation of such devices.

(updated February 18, 2020)

All RadTech 2020 and IUVA Americas preparations are proceeding as planned and we look forward to seeing you in Orlando! The traditional number of visitors from China to RadTech and IUVA is very small—so the impact on the event is expected to be minimal.

RadTech and IUVA take the concerns of our members, guests and partners regarding the coronavirus very seriously. In partnership with our hosts at Disney, your safety is always our top priority.

According to the CDC, “for the general American public, who are unlikely to be exposed to this virus, the immediate health risk from COVID-19 is considered low at this time. The U.S. government has taken unprecedented steps with respect to travel in response to the growing public health threat posed by this new coronavirus: Effective February 2, 2020, the U.S. government suspended entry of foreign nationals who have been in China within the past 14 days.”

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/summary.html

With these restrictions the risk of contracting Coronavirus/COVID-19 within conferences in the United States is very low. Visitors subject to this U.S. Government action will not be attending RadTech 2020 or the IUVA Americas events.

We look forward to seeing you in Orlando!!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Mickey Fortune, 240-643-0517, mfortune@iuva.org

Chevy Chase, MD (January 22, 2020) With over 150 attendees, nearly 20 exhibitors and a highly interactive set of presentations, panels, posters and facility tours, the National Institutes of Standards and Technology (NIST), in partnership with the International Ultraviolet Association (IUVA), presented a two day workshop in January 2020 on Ultraviolet Disinfection Technologies & Healthcare Associated Infections (HAIs): Defining Standards and Metrology Needs. Dr. Walter Copan, Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and NIST Director and Dr. Eric Lin, Director, NIST Material Measurement Laboratory, welcomed attendees and opened the event. The workshop examined technology, measurement, and standards needs as a way to promote further innovation in the development and use of ultraviolet technology for the reduction and prevention of HAIs. HAIs are recognized as an important public health and patient safety issue, and UV technology is considered an effective tool to combat HAIs. 
 
“This Workshop was the second in a series designed to encourage collaboration and consensus-building between researchers, infectious disease physicians, UV disinfection companies and regulators, both in the US and internationally,” says Dr. Richard Martinello, Medical Director, Infection Prevention, Yale New Haven Health. “The goal is to develop UV guidance that will help healthcare providers world-wide choose the best possible technologies for their institutions to use in the fight against multiple drug resistant organisms and other pathogens that cause HAIs.”
 
The event built on the efforts of the IUVA Healthcare/UV Task Force, dedicated to the development of efficacy guidelines and standards to help advance the adoption and safe use of UV technologies.  “It was exciting to discuss ways to validate the efficacy of UV technology with the largest group of equipment suppliers to the HAI market gathered in one place,” says Oliver Lawal, IUVA Immediate Past President, and President and CEO of AquiSense Technologies. “The IUVA looks forward to publishing the first outcomes of common guidelines for the use of this critical life-saving technology in healthcare environments.”
 
The IUVA Healthcare/UV Task Force is planning a follow up panel discussion and technical sessions at the 2020 IUVA Americas Conference, March 9-11, 2020 in Orlando, Florida.

For more information on the IUVA Task Force, please contact Troy Cowan, troy@visionbasedconsulting.us.

For more information on IUVA and the IUVA Americas Conference, please contact Mickey Fortune, mfortune@iuva.org.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Gary Cohen, +1-240-437-4615, gcohen@iuva.org

Chevy Chase, MD (November 20, 2019) The International Ultraviolet Association (IUVA), the nonprofit dedicated to the advancement of ultraviolet technologies for industry, public health and the environment, is pleased to welcome Ron Hofmann, Professor at the University of Toronto, as President, serving a two year term. Professor Hofmann assumes the position from Oliver Lawal, President of AquiSense, who is now the Association’s immediate past president. “The IUVA has already demonstrated strong leadership in UV applications in the world of water and wastewater treatment, such as helping to establish universal testing protocols and raising the bar on the level of technical discussion,” says Professor Hofmann. “We are now embarking on an exciting opportunity to apply our expertise to new areas of focus, including the healthcare industry, and food and beverages.”

Jennifer Osgood, Associate, CDM Smith, has been named incoming President of IUVA. “The IUVA continues to achieve our mission of ‘advancing the sciences, engineering & applications of ultraviolet technologies to enhance the quality of life and protect the environment,’” says Ms. Osgood. “Our growing membership, technical and educational outreach, task force initiatives, UV Solutions magazine, conferences and workshops, and young professional interest is helping to drive this success.” The IUVA also elevated two current Board members to new positions in leadership, with the addition of Richard Joshi, Director of Technology and Innovation–UV, atg Evoqua, as the new IUVA Secretary; and Ted Mao, Vice President, Research at Trojan Technologies, as the IUVA co-Vice President of the Americas.

The next IUVA event is the 2020 IUVA Americas Conference and Exhibition, March 8-11 in Orlando, Florida. For more information and to register, please visit: http://www.iuva.org/2020-Americas-Conference.

Press Release: Berlin, June 24, 2019

Two years after the first successful ‘International Conference on UV LED Technologies & Applications (ICULTA)’ the next conference will be held from April 26 to 29, 2020 at the MELIÃ Hotel in Berlin, Germany. Once more, it will bring together pioneers, leaders, and experts from science and industry to discuss latest progress and innovations in the development of UV LEDs and their broad spectrum of applications. The conference is jointly organized by the German consortium Advanced UV for Life and the International Ultraviolet Association (IUVA).

UV LEDs produce narrow-band radiation and can be tuned to cover almost the entire ultraviolet spectral range. Their performance characteristics strongly depend on their emission wavelength: the shorter it is the higher are the scientific and technical requirements for material development and LED device technology. Applications of the compact sized, eco-friendly, and flexible light sources range from disinfection of water, air, and surfaces to medical diagnostics, plant growth lighting, and curing of various materials.

ICULTA 2020 offers an international platform for experts in UV LED technology and applications, inviting them to be part of the conference as speaker, attendee, exhibitor, and/or sponsor.

Submission deadline for oral and poster presentation abstracts: November 30, 2019

Conference topics include:

Visit the conference website www.ICULTA.com for further information.

Advanced UV for Life is a consortium of 49 German industrial and academic partners working together in the development and application of UV LEDs. The consortium originates from a research program funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research.

www.advanced-uv.de

The International Ultraviolet Association (IUVA) is an international organization of UV industry, educators, consultants, utilities, and research professionals, with a mission to make the use of ultraviolet light a leading technology for public health and environmental application.

www.iuva.org

Press pictures are available here for download. All images are copyrighted.

Dr. Keith Warriner, University of Guelph, and Dr. Tatiana Koutchma, Research Scientist, Agriculture and Agrifood Canada

January 15, 2019

There have been three outbreaks of Escherichia coli O157:H7 infections linked to contaminated romaine lettuce within the last 12 months affecting over 200 people. Since 1995 there have been over 40 outbreaks linked to leafy greens although other produce types such as apples, cantaloupes and soft fruit have also been implicated. There are various routes from production through to the end-user by which pathogens become associated with fresh produce. For large scale outbreaks the typical source of pathogens is contaminated irrigation water with pathogens being spread during post-harvest processing. To date, the main interventions used to enhance the microbiological safety of fresh produce is through good agricultural practice (GAP), testing and post-harvest washing. However, none are effective as demonstrated by the on-going foodborne illness outbreaks. Consequently more effective treatments are required and those based on UV show promise. For example, UV treatment of irrigation water and water-assisted UV post-harvest washing is a further technology. The main challenge with UV is to access the shaded area on produce surfaces. To overcome this limitation, UV based methods based on Advanced Oxidative Process have been developed and currently being applied on a commercial scale. Additionally, research was conducted on application of multiple wavelengths LEDs against common food pathogens on surface of fresh produce. Based on risk analysis of recent outbreaks and produce production chain, this webinar will discuss new approaches to enhance it safety by using UV light through advanced oxidation, water assisted washing and UV LED interventions.

• UV-Based Interventions for Food Safety recording (Requires Flash)

We invite you to attend a free webinar that IUVA is presenting in conjunction with SUNY-ESF on Tuesday, January 15.

New UV-Based Interventions to Enhance the Food Safety of Fresh Produce
Tuesday, January 15, 2019, 02:00 PM EST - 03:00 PM EST

Presented by IUVA, Keith Warriner, Professor and Department of Food Science Graduate Coordinator, University of Guelph, and Tatiana Koutchma, Research Scientist, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

>> REGISTER HERE


Webinar Details:

There have been three outbreaks of Escherichia coli O157:H7 infections linked to contaminated romaine lettuce within the last 12 months affecting over 200 people. Since 1995 there have been over 40 outbreaks linked to leafy greens although other produce types such as apples, cantaloupes and soft fruit have also been implicated. There are various routes from production through to the end-user by which pathogens become associated with fresh produce. For large scale outbreaks the typical source of pathogens is contaminated irrigation water with pathogens being spread during post-harvest processing. To date, the main interventions used to enhance the microbiological safety of fresh produce is through good agricultural practice (GAP), testing and post-harvest washing. However, none are effective as demonstrated by the on-going foodborne illness outbreaks. Consequently more effective treatments are required and those based on UV show promise. For example, UV treatment of irrigation water and water-assisted UV post-harvest washing is a further technology. The main challenge with UV is to access the shaded area on produce surfaces. To overcome this limitation, UV based methods based on Advanced Oxidative Process have been developed and currently being applied on a commercial scale. Additionally, research was conducted on application of multiple wavelengths LEDs against common food pathogens on surface of fresh produce.  Based on risk analysis of recent outbreaks and produce production chain, this webinar will discuss new approaches to enhance it safety by using UV light through advanced oxidation, water assisted washing and UV LEDS interventions.

To learn more about the use of UV for food safety, please plan on attending these conferences in 2019:

2019 IUVA World Congress
February 10-13, 2019
University of New South Wales (UNSW) Colombo Hall
Sydney, Australia
http://www.iuva.org/2019-World-Congress

BIG IDEAS for UV+EB Technology
March 19-20, 2019
Crowne Plaza Redondo Beach
Redondo Beach, California
http://www.bigideasconference.com

Chevy Chase, MD (November 12, 2018) The International Ultraviolet Association (IUVA) is forming a global working group to support the research and commercialization of ultraviolet (UV) technology for food growth, production, and transport applications from seed to stomach, as well as UV utilization for tea, milk products, and cold-pressed juice preservation. Industry and government experts Peter Gordon and Tatiana Koutchma will serve as co-leaders of the “UV Solutions for Food and Beverage Safety” working group initiative. The group will endeavor to proactively respond to continued public health concerns about dangerous foodborne disease outbreaks while supporting farm and processing plant worker safety and consumer protection requirements.

“Our group will explore global regulations related to UV for food and beverage safety; validation of shelf life extension and spoilage avoidance methods and approaches; and optimization of germicidal configurations. We will also look at market opportunities for UV LEDs in cannabis production and vertical farming,” explains Peter Gordon.

“We are very excited to draw upon existing global IUVA members from government research labs, academia, equipment suppliers and early adopter users, to make up the core participants. Additionally, we extend an open invitation to all interested parties to join with us in this critical human and environmental health effort," adds Oliver Lawal, President of IUVA.

The IUVA UV Solutions for Food and Beverage Safety Working Group is currently developing educational sessions for the upcoming 2019 IUVA World Congress in Sydney, Australia and the BIG IDEAS for UV+EB Technology Conference in Redondo Beach, California.

UV is a proven technology, offering an economically-sound, effective, and versatile, non-toxic, non-chemical, non-thermal process technology. Acceptance of UV as a germicidal agent has become more critical as antibiotic-resistant bacteria and mounting global pressures on the environment, stress safe food and sufficient clean water supplies.

IUVA’s mission is to advance the science, engineering, marketing, and applications of ultraviolet disinfection technologies to enhance the quality of human life and to protect the environment. Founded in 1999, IUVA is a 501(c)3 educational association of more than 500 members in 35 countries. IUVA is recognized as the leading knowledge base and voice for UV technologies through its various conferences, publications, and programs.