How Ultraviolet-C lighting can support Europe’s recovery The potential of UV-C lighting to rapidly destroy traces of Coronavirus and other viruses from surfaces can be crucial in building a post-pandemic world, argues Signify’s Neil Pattie. UV-C disinfection chamber being used to disinfect self-scanners at EDEKA’s supermarket in Hamburg | Source: Signify 10 May 2021 UV-C lighting has long been used as a disinfectant against deadly microorganisms, but its true potential is yet to be realised. Ultraviolet-C (UV-C) is a type of electromagnetic radiation that consists of wavelengths between 100 and280 nanometres (nm). At a wavelength of 254nm, it is highly effective in breaking down the DNA and RNA of viruses, effectively deactivating them and rendering them harmless.