Far-UVC research library
Far-UVC (222 nm): the published research
18 peer-reviewed studies, reviews and expert sources on filtered far-UVC light: how well it kills bacteria and viruses on surfaces and in room air, and what the research shows about safety for skin and eyes. Every study links to its original source.
Key findings at a glance
- 98.4% reduction of airborne Staphylococcus aureus in a room-sized chamber, equal to 184 extra air changes per hour (Scientific Reports, 2022)
- 99.8% reduction of airborne infectious virus in an occupied room using four ceiling fixtures (Scientific Reports, 2024)
- 99.7% reduction of SARS-CoV-2 on surfaces at 3 mJ/cm² (American Journal of Infection Control, 2020)
- 66 weeks of daily exposure with no skin cancer or skin abnormalities (Photochemistry and Photobiology, 2023)
These studies cover filtered 222 nm far-UVC technology in general. They are not tests of a specific product we supply. For product-specific test reports, see certifications and clinical evidence or ask our team.
A. Surface disinfection efficacy
Far-UVC on hospital surfaces
Far-UVC light (222 nm) efficiently inactivates clinically significant antibiotic-resistant bacteria on diverse material surfaces
Microbiology Spectrum, 2024. Shows strong bactericidal effect against clinical antibiotic-resistant bacteria on high-touch surfaces common in healthcare facilities.
Open study →Surface disinfection efficacyEffectiveness of 222-nm ultraviolet light on disinfecting SARS-CoV-2 surface contamination
American Journal of Infection Control, 2020. Doses of 1 and 3 mJ/cm² reduced viable SARS-CoV-2 on surfaces by 88.5% and 99.7%.
Open study →Surface disinfection efficacyExperimental investigation comparing far-UVC (222 nm) and UVC (254 nm) for inactivation of bacteria on hard and fabric surfaces
Building and Environment, 2025 · City University of Hong Kong. Compares a krypton-chloride 222 nm lamp with a conventional 254 nm mercury lamp against MRSA, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Open study →Surface disinfection efficacyEfficacy of a filtered far-UVC handheld disinfection device on reducing microbial bioburden of hospital surfaces
medRxiv preprint, 2022. Compares 222 nm disinfection of hospital surfaces with sodium hypochlorite wipes. Preprint, not yet peer reviewed.
Open PDF →Surface disinfection efficacyUV inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 across the UVC spectrum: KrCl excimer, mercury-vapor and LED sources
Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 2021. Compares krypton-chloride excimer lamps with conventional mercury-vapour and LED UVC sources.
Open study →B. Airborne pathogen inactivation
Far-UVC in room air
Far-UVC (222 nm) efficiently inactivates an airborne pathogen in a room-sized chamber
Scientific Reports, 2022. Five filtered far-UVC sources reduced airborne Staphylococcus aureus by 98.4%, equal to 184 extra air changes per hour, at levels within ACGIH limits for 8-hour exposure.
Open PDF →Airborne pathogen inactivation222 nm far-UVC light markedly reduces the level of infectious airborne virus in an occupied room
Scientific Reports, 2024. Four ceiling-mounted 222 nm fixtures reduced airborne infectious virus by 99.8% in an occupied room, well within current regulatory limits.
Open PDF →Airborne pathogen inactivationFar-UVC light (222 nm) efficiently and safely inactivates airborne human coronaviruses
Scientific Reports, 2020. Low doses of 222 nm light inactivated airborne human coronaviruses alpha HCoV-229E and beta HCoV-OC43.
Open PDF →Airborne pathogen inactivationFar-UVC light: a new tool to control the spread of airborne-mediated microbial diseases
Scientific Reports, 2018. Shows that low doses of far-UVC inactivate airborne H1N1 influenza virus.
Open PDF →Airborne pathogen inactivationInactivation rates for airborne human coronavirus by low doses of 222 nm far-UVC radiation
Viruses, 2022. Measures how quickly airborne human coronavirus is inactivated at low far-UVC doses.
Open study →C. Human safety
Skin and eye safety
No evidence of induced skin cancer or other skin abnormalities after long-term (66 week) chronic exposure to 222-nm far-UVC radiation
Photochemistry and Photobiology, 2023. Exposure 8 hours a day, 5 days a week for 15 months. Findings support the long-term safety of chronic far-UVC exposure.
Open study →Human safetyExploratory clinical trial on the safety and bactericidal effect of 222-nm ultraviolet C irradiation in healthy humans
PLoS One, 2020. Clinical trial in healthy volunteers looking at skin safety and bactericidal effect.
Open study →Human safetyGermicidal efficacy and mammalian skin safety of 222-nm UV light
Radiation Research, 2017. Looks at germicidal effect and skin safety of 222 nm light.
Open study →Human safetyRe-evaluation of rat corneal damage by short-wavelength UV revealed extremely less hazardous property of far-UVC
Photochemistry and Photobiology, 2021. Eye safety study of far-UVC on the cornea.
Open study →Human safetyExtreme exposure to filtered far-UVC: a case study
Photochemistry and Photobiology, 2021. Case study of very high exposure to filtered far-UVC.
Open study →Human safetyChronic irradiation with 222-nm UVC light induces neither DNA damage nor epidermal lesions in mouse skin, even at high doses
PLoS One, 2018. Long-term, high-dose exposure did not cause DNA damage or skin lesions in mice.
Open study →Human safetyFar-UVC light: a practical and safe approach to markedly reduce airborne pathogens in occupied rooms
Presentation by David J. Brenner (Columbia University), hosted on fda.gov, 2025. Reviews the evidence on far-UVC efficacy and on skin and eye safety when used within current threshold limit values.
Open PDF →D. Comprehensive review
A hundred years of data
Planning far-UVC for your facility?
We can help you choose fixtures, plan layouts within exposure limits and prepare documents for your infection control committee.