#93 - Janet Price: The Far UVC Revolution

Welcome to Air Quality Matters as we illuminate a revolutionary that's been quietly transforming how we think about infection control in our built environment. In this episode, we dive into the world of far UVC light with Janet Price, Chief Science Officer at Visium, who brings an exceptional blend of molecular biology expertise and real-world application experience to this fascinating conversation. The Invisible Warrior Against Invisible Threats Far UVC represents a specific wavelength of light (222 nanometers) that exists beyond our visible spectrum – a form of energy that naturally occurs in space but never reaches Earth's surface due to atmospheric absorption. What makes this technology so compelling is its dual-action mechanism: it simultaneously damages both DNA/RNA and proteins in pathogens, essentially fighting a war on multiple fronts against viruses, bacteria, and even mold spores. Yet remarkably, this same light that devastates single-cell organisms can't penetrate the dead skin layer protecting our living tissue – making it safe for continuous human exposure. Janet walks us through the science with remarkable clarity, explaining how these krypton gas-filled lamps produce their precise wavelength and why that specificity matters. Unlike the broad-spectrum mercury bulbs used by Wells nearly a century ago, today's far UVC technology delivers targeted germicidal action without the risks associated with traditional UVC exposure. The conversation reveals how a minute of exposure can inactivate 50% of flu viruses in a space, potentially reducing transmission risk by up to 91% in typical office settings. The Path Forward Perhaps most thought-provoking is Janet's perspective on what's needed for widespread adoption. Like Wells before her, she recognises that the technology works – the science is clear, the standards are emerging (UL 8082 certification now exists specifically for far UVC devices), but the epidemiological evidence at the population scale remains elusive. We need, as she puts it, someone willing to create "the cleanest town in the world" to demonstrate what's possible when we treat our air as seriously as we treat our water. The conversation also confronts uncomfortable truths about our post-pandemic fatigue and the funding cliff that's left many promising technologies stranded. Yet Janet's optimism is infectious – she sees a future where cleaning our air requires nothing more from people than showing up and breathing, where invisible light fights invisible threats without anyone having to change their behavior. This episode offers both a masterclass in emerging technology and a rallying cry for those who believe indoor air quality deserves the same attention we've given to clean water and food safety. It's essential listening for facility managers, healthcare administrators, engineers, and anyone curious about how we might finally win the war against airborne pathogens – not through behavior change or constant vigilance, but through the simple application of the right wavelength of light. Janet Price - LinkedIn Visium The Air Quality Matters Podcast in Partnership with Zehnder Group - Farmwood - Eurovent- Aico - Aereco - Ultra Protect - The One Take Podcast in Partnership with SafeTraces and Inbiot Do check them out in the links and on the Air Quality Matters Website. If you haven't checked out the YouTube channel its here. Do subscribe if you can, lots more content is coming soon.