The Science of UV-C

UV-C light works by damaging the DNA and RNA of bacteria and viruses, halting their ability to spread and leading to the death of bacteria and the inactivation of Pathogens.

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For over a century, UV-C light has been used for disinfection.

UV systems were first used in hospitals in the 1930s1 to control infections. Studies in the 1940s found potential benefits of UV-C radiation in stopping the spread of measles2 in schools. In 1994, the CDC recognized UV-C's effectiveness in controlling TB3.

Mobility

Light travels in a straight line. Areas in shadow are not disinfected by a stationary UV-C light source. Our mobile robot ensures superior coverage, moving around furniture and objects to eliminate germs and viruses hiding in shadowy spots of the room.

Effective Disinfection is a Function of Distance and Time.

The further away the light source, the more exposure time required to properly disinfect. Stationary UV-C disinfection systems cannot get close to all the germ locations but our Haystack's robots continuously move along high touch surfaces to maximize disinfection.

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“No other curent technology has the capability, the adaptabilty, and the favorable economics to make it viable for an extremely wide variety of disease control applications.”4

1. Wells and Wells, 1936; 2. Perkins JE, Bahlke AM, Silverman HF. Effect of Ultra-violet Irradiation of Classrooms on Spread of Measles in Large Rural Central Schools Preliminary Report. Am J Public Health Nations Health. 1947 May;37(5):529-37. PMID: 18016521; PMCID: PMC1623610.; 3. Jensen PA, Lambert LA, Iademarco MF, Ridzon R; CDC. Guidelines for preventing the transmission of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in health-care settings, 2005. MMWR Recomm Rep. 2005 Dec 30;54(RR-17):1-141. PMID: 16382216. 4. Kowalski W, Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation Handbook, Springer, 2009, 13