Acuity Brands’ lay-in fixture now available with UV disinfection technology

ATLANTA – October 2021 -- Acuity Brands, Inc. (NYSE: AYI) launched the BLT Series with Care222® technology from Lithonia Lighting®, which incorporates cutting-edge UV disinfection* technology into the Company’s most specified lay-in fixture. When installed and used in accordance with safety guidelines, Care222 technology can inactivate viruses and kill bacteria** in occupied and unoccupied spaces such as offices, schools, retail and hospitality locations, and healthcare facilities.

“Incorporating Care222 technology into our popular and widely specified BLT Series offers an innovative disinfection lighting solution in a versatile, mainstream lighting fixture,” said Kristin Dees, Product Manager, Lithonia Lighting. “The BLT with Care222 Series can deliver up to 136 lumens per watt while providing consistent, high-quality illumination -- and when the Care222 technology is incorporated -- the BLT Series can help reduce the level of active pathogens** within a space, while meeting exposure guidelines for human occupants when all installation and dosage guidelines are followed.”

The BLT Series with Care222® technology features a patented excimer lamp and patent pending dosing electronics (“module”) that can provide a measured dosage of filtered 222nm far-UVC while maintaining a natural-looking light emittance from the lighting fixture.

Results from laboratory testing and clinical studies demonstrate that the filtered UV light emitted from the Care222 lamp can inactivate viruses and bacteria, on surfaces and in air (https://www.acuitybrands.com/-/media/abl/acuitybrands/files/resources/uv-light-disinfection-technology/uv-published-research-guide.pdf?forceBehavior=open). For example, in laboratory testing, 222nm UVC technology inactivated 99.7% of SARS-COV-2 virus on a non-porous hard surface with an exposure time of 30 seconds.¹When used properly, the 222nm wavelength emitted from the Care222 lamp inactivates viruses and bacteria at energy levels that do not penetrate living tissue in skin or beyond the tear layer in eyes, allowing spaces in which the lamps are used to remain occupied during use. In contrast, possible acute and chronic damage to eyes and skin may result from the more generally employed 254nm UV wavelength used in many germicidal lamps unless this UV wavelength is used under conditions that sharply limit human exposure.

The Care222 module is UL certified to meet U.S. standards for germicidal equipment used in occupied spaces, and the BLT Care222 Series fixtures are also UL certified. The Series is offered in 2’ x 2’ and 2’ x 4’ sizes and is available with single and dual module options to provide appropriate coverage for a space. Lumen packages range from 2000 – 6000 lumens and color temperatures range from 3000K – 5000K. In addition, both wired and wireless controls options are available through the nLight® platform offering occupancy sensing, daylight harvesting, and full networking capabilities among other options.

The BLT Series with Care222 technology matches up seamlessly with the BL family of fixtures from Lithonia Lighting, providing a consistent look and performance when specified throughout a building or campus. Also, the BLT Series joins a growing Acuity Brands portfolio of lighting products integrated with Care222 technology. These include the HDM™ Series from Healthcare Lighting® and HLDM™ Series from Holophane®, and coming soon, Whisper troffers from Mark Architectural Lighting™ and the EVO® downlight series from Gotham®.

For more information about this product, please go to BLT Series with Care222 Technology, or to learn more about Care222 technology and other UV technology solutions, visit Acuity Brands UV Light Disinfection Technology.

¹ In a 2020 study, Hiroshima University confirmed that under laboratory conditions, a dose of 3 mJ/cm2 of 222nmUVC irradiation, with an exposure time of 30 seconds inactivated 99.7% of SARS-CoV-2 on a surface. Ushio’s Care222 UV-C disinfection module was placed 24 cm above the surface of the plates in which the viral samples were placed. To read study: Effectiveness of 222-nm ultraviolet light on disinfecting SARS-CoV-2 surface contamination - https://www.ajicjournal.org/article/S0196-6553(20)30809-9/fulltext

*All references to “disinfection” are referring generally to bioburden reduction 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. Bioburden reduction is a function of fixture run time, distance to the UV light source, airflow, room size and/or other factors, and the level of reduction will vary within a specific space. Neither the disinfection technology as incorporated in Acuity Brands products nor the products themselves are intended for use as a medical device or for the disinfection of medical devices.

**Refer to product specification sheets at acuitybrands.com/UV-Products for efficacy claims and claim substantiation regarding specific products and pathogens.

Care222 is a registered trademark of Ushio America, Inc. All other trademarks referenced are trademarks of Acuity Brands.

About Acuity Brands

Acuity Brands, Inc. (NYSE: AYI) is a market-leading industrial technology company. Through its two business segments, Acuity Brands Lighting and Lighting Controls (ABL) and the Intelligent Spaces Group (ISG), the Company designs, manufactures, and brings to market products and services that make the world more brilliant, productive, and connected. Acuity Brands achieves growth through the development of innovative new products and services, including building management systems, lighting, lighting controls, and location-aware applications.

Acuity Brands is based in Atlanta, Georgia, with operations across North America, Europe, and Asia. The Company is powered by approximately 13,000 dedicated and talented associates. Visit us at www.acuitybrands.com.