Pulsed Light and the New “Normal”

by | May 4, 2020

We’re all looking for good news these days. As I write this blog, the worldwide effort to “flatten the curve” of COVID-19 infections is beginning to succeed. Some states in the U.S. are cautiously opening up certain businesses. We can begin to see light at the end of the tunnel.

But what about the future, once this crisis has passed? Experts say the coronavirus will return in the fall, and new viruses may emerge as well. In our crowded world, with large cities and fluid movement by people across borders, how will we stay safe? Can we ever get back to normal?

The good news is, as we fight the virus today, we are developing the tools and best practices that will help keep us safe tomorrow. And that should give us reason to hope. Pulsed Light is a good example of this. Companies and governments are using Pulsed Light to fight the pandemic with innovative applications that can protect us now and in the future. Here are just a few examples:

  • A company called Steribin has introduced a Pulsed Light system for sterilizing airport security bins, making travel safer
  • Bryan Health, a non-profit health system in Nebraska, is using Pulsed Light to sterilize personal protective equipment (PPE) used by frontline healthcare workers at their various facilities
  • The U.S Navy is looking into possible applications of Pulsed Light in its fleets at sea
  • Research is underway for a host of other beneficial applications including the sterilization of take-out restaurant packages, busses, grocery carts, even on humans for real-time decontamination of personal protective equipment.

The point is that these Pulsed Light solutions, and others that will emerge in the next few months, will be proven and embedded in our various commercial and public systems. And, unlike test kits and vaccines which must be tailored to each new virus outbreak, Pulsed Light is able to kill nearly every virus and bacteria that comes along. Once in use, Pulsed Light can continue being used as a new and permanent layer of protection across our society.

This means airports that use our technology to clean equipment during this outbreak can continue using it as an ongoing preventive measure against future pathogens. Grocery stores can assure its customers that the shopping carts are safe. Industry can use it to clean equipment and safeguard food production. In fact, XENON is using Pulsed Light in its own facilities during this pandemic, enabling the company to continue its important work while protecting employees.

On the other side of this pandemic, we will be living in a new world of heightened awareness and caution. Solutions based on Pulsed Light will have an important role to play in helping our societies and economies recover. Companies that have this technology will be able to reassure their customers of their safety. Governments can maintain the public’s trust that all that can be done, is being done. And maybe, just maybe, we can all get back to something close to normal.

That would be good news, indeed!