Johnson Controls, PURO UV and Ushio embark on research to study the efficacy and safety of filtered far UV-C technology

Rhea-AI Summary

Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI) has announced a research collaboration with PURO Lighting, LLC, a subsidiary of Applied UV, Inc. (NASDAQ: AUVI), and Ushio America, Inc. to study the efficacy and safety of filtered far UV-C disinfection technology. The research, set to be conducted by leading U.S. universities and certified laboratories over the next 3-6 months, aims to assess pathogen inactivation effects on indoor air quality. Brian Stern of PURO highlighted the potential market benefits, including improved health and safety in workplaces. Results will be publicly shared to aid customer decisions and inform public policy.

Positive

• Collaboration on far UV-C technology enhances market potential for PURO.
• Research aims to validate safety and efficacy, promoting broader adoption.
• Potential long-term cost savings from improved indoor air quality.

Negative

• None.

• This first-of-its-kind far-UVC research collaboration will evaluate the efficacy of far-UVC pathogen deactivation while identifying and assessing any negative impact on surrounding air
• The research will be initiated by leading U.S.-based universities and certified laboratories over the next 3-6 months; results will be provided as they become available

MILWAUKEE and MOUNT VERNON, N.Y. and CYPRESS, Calif., Feb. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Johnson Controls (NYSE: JCI), the global leader for smart, healthy, and sustainable buildings, PURO Lighting, LLC ("PURO"), a subsidiary of Applied UV, Inc. (Nasdaq CM: AUVI), a proven innovative UV technology solutions leader and Ushio America, Inc. ("Ushio") have announced a research collaboration to study the efficacy and safety of filtered far UV-C disinfection¹ technology.

"The further validation of the safety and efficacy of filtered far UV-C technology presents tremendous opportunity for PURO to accelerate market adoption by sponsoring this critical research," said Brian Stern, president of PURO. "The research will help demonstrate the benefits and potential cost savings that continuous disinfection of air and surfaces can bring to workplace settings including hospitals, schools, government buildings, commercial offices, and other shared indoor spaces."

Far UV-C is a narrow band of UVC light centered at 222nm, which is proven to inactivate pathogens at levels that are safe for human exposure and can be used in spaces where people are present. While the efficacy of filtered far UV-C light disinfection is widely known, there is limited research on the ancillary effects that occur from the inactivation of pathogens using far UV-C light. The planned research will allow for a better understanding of the possible impact the elimination of pathogens has on the surrounding air. 

"Better indoor air quality (IAQ) is increasingly important to our customers and our employees, and it's critical we evaluate all of the factors that go into the IAQ equation," said Tyler Smith, vice president, Healthy Buildings, Johnson Controls. "We are intrigued and excited by the early promise of filtered far UV-C as a supplement to our leading IAQ solution portfolio. By testing PURO and Ushio's market-leading filtered far UV-C technologies, we will be able to provide customers with additional, proven, safe and effective solutions to ensure that the air and surfaces in indoor spaces are healthier and more sustainable."

"Ushio is honored to partner with Johnson Controls and PURO as we embark to build on our existing research and findings to further prove the efficacy and safety of Care222 filtered far UV-C technology," said Shinji Kameda, COO, Ushio America, Inc. "We strongly believe the capability to provide continuous, far UV-C disinfection of air and surfaces in occupied spaces will become the industry standard. This research will help provide the confidence to customers that the technology is not only effective, but safe."

The research agreement, which includes technologies and products from PURO and Ushio, will focus on the testing of regulatory-approved filtered far UV-C lighting technologies. The research will be initiated by leading U.S.-based universities and certified laboratories over the next 3-6 months. Because of the importance of this research to public health and well-being, the results will be made publicly available and shared broadly to inform customer choices and public policy.

According to a recently released white paper from Johnson Controls, "Measuring the Return on Indoor Air Quality Investment," better indoor air quality can conservatively lead to a $750 to $800 return per employee per year through reducing absenteeism from health issues and the reduction of productivity due to poor air quality.

¹References to disinfection refer generally to the reduction of pathogenic bioburden and are not intended to refer to any specific definition of the term as may be used for other purposes by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

About Johnson Controls:

At Johnson Controls (NYSE:JCI), we transform the environments where people live, work, learn and play. As the global leader in smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, our mission is to reimagine the performance of buildings to serve people, places and the planet.

Building on a proud history of nearly 140 years of innovation, we deliver the blueprint of the future for industries such as healthcare, schools, data centers, airports, stadiums, manufacturing and beyond through OpenBlue, our comprehensive digital offering.

Today, with a global team of 100,000 experts in more than 150 countries, Johnson Controls offers the world's largest portfolio of building technology and software as well as service solutions from some of the most trusted names in the industry.

Visit www.johnsoncontrols.com for more information and follow @Johnson Controls on social platforms.

About Applied UV Inc.

Applied UV, Inc. ("AUVI") develops and acquires proprietary infection prevention and control technology in the healthcare, commercial & public venue, food processing/storage, cannabis, and education, vertical markets. The Company has three wholly owned subsidiaries - SteriLumen, Inc. ("SteriLumen"), Munn Works, LLC ("Munn Works") and PURO Lighting Inc. (PURO UV). SteriLumen owns and markets a portfolio of products with advanced pathogen elimination technology, branded Airocide® by SteriLumen, Scientific Air™ by SteriLumen, Airoclean™ 420 by SteriLumen, and Lumicide™ by SteriLumen.

Leading organizations globally rely on AUVI's air purification systems to completely eliminate airborne and surface infections, mold, bacteria, allergens and other contaminants. Our customers include Kaiser Permanente, NY Health+Hospitals, Baptist Health South Florida, Boston Red Sox's Fenway Park, JetBlue Park, France's Palace of Versailles, Invited Clubs, Whole Foods, Del Monte Foods, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and more.

NASA used Airocide's technology to sanitize the International Space Station.

Scientifically proven to reduce Healthcare Acquired Infections (HAI), Scientific Air™ offers a proprietary 3-stage technology integrating HEPA filters, ultraviolet germicidal light chamber and active carbon substrate.

For information on Applied UV, Inc., and its subsidiaries, please visit the following websites:

https://purolighting.com/
https://www.applieduvinc.com 
https://www.sterilumen.com 
https://airoclean420.com 

About Ushio America, Inc.

Ushio America, Inc. is a vertically integrated solutions company for lighting systems and components utilizing xenon short arc, lasers, ultra-high-pressure UV, excimer, metal halide, LEDs (specialty sensing and architectural lighting), halogen, fluorescent, and miniature incandescent lamps serving semiconductor, printed circuit, video projection, cinema, medical, life sciences, UV curing, germicidal, horticulture, landscaping, graphic arts, flashlight, scientific, medical, infra-red heating, lamp and laser drivers, systems and services, and numerous other applications. Established in 1967 as a subsidiary of Ushio Inc., in Tokyo, Japan, Ushio America offers a full spectrum of over 2,500 products and services to its customers. 

For more information on Ushio America, Inc. and Care222 Technology please visit,

www.care222.com
www.ushio.com

Forward-Looking Statements

The information contained herein may contain "forward–looking statements." Forward–looking statements reflect the current view about future events. When used in this press release, the words "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "future," "intend," "plan," or the negative of these terms and similar expressions, as they relate to us or our management, identify forward–looking statements. Such statements include, but are not limited to, statements contained in this press release relating to the view of management of Applied UV concerning its business strategy, future operating results and liquidity and capital resources outlook. Forward–looking statements are based on the Company's current expectations and assumptions regarding its business, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward–looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. The Company's actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward–looking statements. They are neither statements of historical fact nor guarantees of assurance of future performance. We caution you therefore against relying on any of these forward–looking statements. Factors or events that could cause the Company's actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company to predict all of them. The Company cannot guarantee future results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements. Except as required by applicable law, including the securities laws of the United States, the Company does not intend to update any of the forward–looking statements to conform these statements to actual results.

Media Contacts:

Johnson Controls:
Karen Tognarelli
Direct: +1 571-214-7744
Email: Karen.Tognarelli@jci.com

Applied UV, Inc.:
Brett Maas, Managing Principal
Hayden IR
brett@haydenir.com 
(646) 536-7331

Ushio America, Inc.
Ryan Olsen
rolsen@ushio.com
Direct: 603-944-5335

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SOURCE Johnson Controls International plc

FAQ

What is the purpose of the research collaboration between Johnson Controls and Applied UV?

The collaboration aims to study the efficacy and safety of filtered far UV-C disinfection technology.

What companies are involved in the far UV-C technology research?

The research involves Johnson Controls, PURO Lighting (a subsidiary of Applied UV), and Ushio America.

When will the results of the UV-C research be available?

The research will take place over the next 3-6 months, with results made publicly available as they are completed.

How can far UV-C technology improve indoor air quality?

Far UV-C technology is designed to inactivate pathogens safely, potentially enhancing indoor air quality in shared spaces.