Practical advice on commercial lighting from LED retrofits to lighting design.

LEDs are now the primary lighting option for most commercial buildings. But when it comes to disinfectant lighting, traditional light sources like low pressure mercury tubes are still dominant.

When someone hands you a bottle of water, you probably don't think twice about the quality of it before you take a sip. If that same person handed you a glass of tap water from the sink, you may be a little more hesitant about drinking it.

When you walk in a building, you probably don't think twice about the quality of the air you're breathing. But maybe it's time that you should. 

When the pandemic started, everyone was looking for ways to protect employees, customers, tenants, and students. Bipolar ionization quickly became one of the top options to disinfect air. It was touted as a potential 'secret weapon' against COVID-19.

But now, there is a federal lawsuit filed against one of the makers of bipolar ionization technology. 

Here's what we know: SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, can be transmitted through the air.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says while most cases of SARS-CoV-2 are spread through close contact, droplets and particles can spread through the air under certain circumstances.

It may seem impossible to keep high-traffic areas free of germs. Areas like waiting rooms, lobbies, or retail stores are typically crowded and hard to disinfect because so many people are around.

This is where one type of ultraviolet lighting product really shines. It's called upper-air (or upper-room) germicidal UV and it's so effective because it works constantly, even while people are in the room.

Scientists have known about the disinfection capabilities of ultraviolet (UV) light for decades. Now, it's considered an important tool in the fight against COVID-19.

A scientist at Columbia University found UV-C is effective against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, in laboratory settings.

If you're responsible for maintaining a business or commercial building, this can be a very uncertain time. COVID-19 has changed the way all of us operate. Your building may either be closed, reopening, or overrun with people. Regardless, there is one thing that's top of mind: the health of everyone who uses your building.

As we create our "new normal," businesses across every industry are trying to find the best way to operate.

Cleaning checklists are changing. Disinfecting is at the top of the priority list. But how do you make sure you're cleaning properly during and after COVID-19?

One solution: Germicidal UV (also called UV-C).

Ultraviolet (UV) light disinfection is getting a lot of attention during the coronavirus pandemic. The main benefit: its ability to kill pathogens like viruses and bacteria.

Some scientists say UV products could help our economy recover and help keep public places clean and safe.

But not all types of UV light are the same.

If you've looked into UV products, you might have noticed two different options: UV-C and far-UVC technology.

Both types of products use wavelengths within the UV spectrum to disinfect air and surfaces, so what's the difference between them? Can they both be used in the fight against COVID-19?