Beyond Brightness: How Vyv’s Antimicrobial Light Technology Is Redefining Clean
What if the lights above you did more than just illuminate a room? What if they continuously worked in the background disinfecting surfaces from germs, even in occupied spaces—without the risks of UV light or the limitations of chemical disinfectants?
This isn’t science fiction. It’s Vyv’s antimicrobial LED technology, and it’s not only a game-changer, it’s also the only non-UV antimicrobial lighting technology currently registered with Health Canada to date. That means it’s passed some of the most stringent standards for safety and efficacy in the country—something no other visible-light solution on the market today can claim.
At Mac’s II Agencies, we’re always seeking smarter, more effective ways to help our clients light their spaces. Today, we’re exploring Vyv’s science-backed innovation, how it works, and why it’s the future of disinfection in healthcare, education, aviation, and beyond.
What Is Antimicrobial Lighting, Exactly?
Antimicrobial lighting refers to lighting designed to disinfect germs or inhibit the growth of microorganisms—bacteria, viruses, fungi, and mold. Traditionally, this has meant ultraviolet (UV) light, particularly UV-C (200–280nm), which is highly effective at destroying pathogens by damaging their DNA.
However, UV light can’t be used around people for long periods. It’s harmful to human tissue and often requires spaces to be vacant during operation. That limits its usefulness in high-traffic environments like hospitals, schools, or office buildings where cleanliness is paramount.
Enter Vyv—a pioneer in antimicrobial lighting using visible light instead of UV. That difference alone makes it a revolutionary alternative.
How Vyv’s Technology Works Without UV
Vyv’s patented antimicrobial LED technology operates in the 400–420nm wavelength within the visible light spectrum, what we can see with the human eye.
Here’s the science:
- Many microbes contain porphyrins, molecules not found in human or animal cells.
- When exposed to Vyv’s targeted wavelength, these porphyrins produce Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) like singlet oxygen and hydrogen peroxide.
- These ROS attack and destroy microbial cells from the inside out, causing cell death.
Because the technology works continuously in occupied spaces, Vyv’s lights offer 24/7 germ-fighting power, without disrupting day-to-day operations.
Proven Safety. Certified Results.
Your EV charging station is only as strong as its electrical backbone. Collaborating closely with a certified electrical contractor is One of Vyv’s most important differentiators? It’s been tested, certified, and registered for continuous use around people. In fact, Vyv is currently the only non-UV antimicrobial lighting product registered with Health Canada.
Vyv’s antimicrobial lighting technology has been shown to reduce surface contamination levels by 90% to 99.99%, depending on the environment and usage. Whether it’s a hospital patient room, a classroom, or an office break area, Vyv works quietly and consistently to make the space cleaner.
Other highlights:
- IP65-rated for water and dust resistance
- NSF-certified for food-safe environments
- Customizable in size, colour temperature (CCT), and CRI to meet unique design and performance needs
Why the Need for Vyv’s Technology Is Urgent
We’re living in a time when antimicrobial resistance is escalating rapidly. The CDC warns of a looming “superbug” crisis, where routine surgeries and minor infections could become life-threatening due to untreatable bacterial strains.
By 2050, superbugs are projected to cause over 10 million deaths per year, surpassing cancer as a leading cause of mortality. (science.gc.ca)
While traditional cleaning methods and UV-C disinfection play a role, their limitations are real:
- UV-C can’t operate in occupied rooms.
- Chemical cleaners are only effective temporarily—and studies show they disinfect surfaces only 32% of the time.
Vyv offers a solution designed for the world we live in now: one that’s safe, passive, continuous, and backed by science.
A Bonus for Engineers and Contractors: Vyv Doesn’t Affect Energy Code Calculations
One of the biggest understated advantages of Vyv’s antimicrobial lighting? It’s exempt from energy code calculations.
The new building codes published in 2023 under ASHRAE have granted an exemption for germicidal lighting from energy calculations. Under the ASHRAE/IES 90.1 standards, energy used specifically for germicidal functions in luminaires is exempt from the interior lighting power and minimum lighting control requirements.
That makes it an ideal bonus feature for engineers, lighting designers, and electrical contractors who want to boost a facility’s hygiene profile without compromising compliance or performance. It’s added value—without the added paperwork.
Ready to Learn More?
Whether you’re in healthcare, education, food production, or any space where hygiene is mission-critical, Vyv offers a smarter way to support your infection control strategies.
Connect with a Mac’s II Agencies lighting expert to explore how Vyv can be implemented in your facility. With a reflected ceiling or floor plan, we can recommend the right light types and quantities to deliver optimal antimicrobial coverage.
Prefer to see Vyv in action? Watch our in-depth YouTube video to dive deeper into the science and real-world applications of this breakthrough lighting technology.
Let’s light your space—and help you fight germs 24/7.
Disclaimer
Canada: When installed according to the user manual and used continuously as a supplement to regular cleaning practices, Vyv Antimicrobial Light reduces the amount of bacteria on hard non-porous surfaces.
United States: Testing on a non-enveloped virus (MS2 bacteriophage) showed a 97.12% reduction in controlled laboratory testing in 8 hours on hard surfaces. Testing on SARS-CoV-2 (enveloped virus) showed a 96.76% reduction in controlled laboratory testing in 8 hours on hard surfaces. Testing on MRSA and E. coli showed 90%+ reduction in controlled laboratory testing in 24 hours on hard surfaces. Results may vary depending on the amount of light that is reaching the surfaces in the space where the product is installed and the length of time of exposure. Use of Vyv antimicrobial light is not intended to replace manual cleaning and disinfection practices.
