February 14, 2023   

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

• 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., -- 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 

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.