What is Indigo-Clean technology?
Indigo-Clean, a continuous environmental disinfection technology, uses visible light to safely and continuously kill harmful viruses and bacteria within the environment, while also providing ambient illumination within the space. Indigo-Clean is a technology integrated into light fixtures, which install easily into the ceiling to bolster your current cleaning protocols.
What does it kill?
Indigo-Clean is clinically proven to kill harmful bacteria, including Staph such as MRSA* and C. diff**, SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza A***, as well as other ESKAPE pathogens: Enterococcus Faecalis, Klebsiella Pneumonae, Acinetobacter Baumannii, Pseudomonas Aeruginosa, Enterobacter Species. It also kills Aspergillus Niger, E.Coli, and Salmonella Enteritidis. It is least effective against non-enveloped viruses, such as Norovirus.
* Rutala W., Kanamori H., Gergen M., Sickbert-Bennett E., Sexton D., Anderson D., Weber D.J., Antimicrobial Activity of a Continuous Visible Light Disinfection System, ID Week 2016
** SGS Lab Report# - 09S17053798
*** https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.03.14.435337v1
Will Indigo-Clean be effective on all variations of the virus? If so, how do you know that?
Further studies are needed to confirm its effectiveness against variants of SARS-CoV-2.
How has it been tested?
Indigo-Clean technology was invented by the University of Strathclyde, Scotland in 2005. After initial laboratory testing, it was tested in occupied patient rooms at the Glasgow Royal Infirmary from 2008-2011. Since that time, the University has continued to invest in additional laboratory and occupied room studies. Commercialization efforts have also included a range of laboratory tests, primarily focused on the application science, and demonstrating the performance of the technology in occupied patient rooms, operating rooms, and emergency departments. Most notably, Indigo-Clean has been shown to improve outcomes by reducing 73% of Surgical Site Infections (SSI’s)*.
*Murrell L. BSN RN CIC, Hamilton E. PhD, Johnson H. MD, Spencer M. BSN RN MEd CIC FAPIC, Influence of a visible-light continuous environmental disinfection system on microbial contamination and surgical site infections in an orthopedic operating room, American Journal of Infection Control 47 (2019)804-810
Is it safe?
Indigo-Clean uses visible light, not UV, so it is safe for people and materials. Additionally, Indigo-Clean is certified ‘Exempt’ under the internationally recognized standard for safety: IEC 62471. This means that people can be in the space for any period of time without exposure limits.
How long has Indigo-Clean been on the market and why are we just hearing about it now?
Indigo-Clean was launched in 2015 with a focus on acute healthcare—the area most likely to benefit from this technology. It is currently installed in healthcare facilities across the U.S., primarily in operating rooms. The pandemic also highlighted the importance of environmental disinfection in a wider range of applications, including schools, offices, and other public spaces.
Where should I use it?
Indigo-Clean is ideal for operating rooms due to the cost and consequence of surgical site infections (SSIs). However, Indigo-Clean technology’s enhanced product portfolio allows for expansion into other healthcare applications, including patient rooms, restrooms, waiting rooms, nurses’ stations, procedure and exam rooms, and emergency departments. With the need for safe, continuous disinfection, it is also ideal for use in education, office, hospitality and other public settings where people congregate.
How does it work?
Indigo-Clean uses a visible wavelength of light—405 nm—generated from state-of-the-art advances in LED technology, to kill harmful viruses and bacteria: oxidizing them from within. This visible wavelength of light reflects off walls and surfaces, providing disinfection even in shadowed areas. Indigo-Clean breaks the chain of infection between organism and host, which ultimately reduces the infectivity of bacteria and viruses, including those that cause Healthcare Associated Infections (HAIs), COVID-19 and the common flu.
Who is this product intended for?
Indigo-Clean technology is intended for facilities, environmental services, and infection prevention professionals responsible for maintaining cleanliness and preventing the spread of pathogens throughout a variety of spaces. It is designed to reduce the spread of bacteria and viruses that cause Healthcare Associated Infections (HAIs), COVID-19 and the common flu by bolstering existing infection prevention protocols.
What applications are appropriate for this technology?
Indigo-Clean provides continuous environmental disinfection suited for a broad range of clinical applications and congregate settings. The technology works best where there is a concentration of patients, caregivers, students, staff or patrons who contribute to the migration of pathogens throughout the space. It is especially suited for entryways, waiting rooms, restrooms or places that are difficult to clean continuously, and/or where pathogens are known to enter the facility. Within the healthcare setting, it is also ideal for operating rooms and areas occupied by immunocompromised patients who are more susceptible to acquiring an infection.
Is there any difference in the visual appearance of the light vs a conventional fixture?
Depending on the product, the color of light produced by an Indigo-Clean fixture may appear slightly different than a normal light fixture due to the addition of 405 nm light, which, in isolation, is not discernable to the human eye.
How does the effectiveness of the technology change based on the type of product used?
The dose index factor scientifically determines the necessary light coverage for the space based on the specific product type being installed.
What is environmental disinfection?
Environmental disinfection is the destruction of microorganisms in the air and on surfaces. Its ultimate purpose is to improve the health and safety of room occupants by reducing reservoirs where pathogens often reside and re-populate.
How does Indigo-Clean technology differ from other available disinfection methods?
Current environmental disinfection methods are applied at discrete moments in time, classifying them as “episodic.” Although these methods are effective, the results from episodic cleaning are short-lived because germs immediately begin to re-populate the space once the cleaning episode has concluded. We are the only manufacturer that understands how to apply proper dosing to ensure Indigo-Clean kills harmful bacteria and viruses in the air and on surfaces. Most current cleaning solutions miss the places these pathogens are often found, including the many shadowed areas within a space. To date, Indigo-Clean is the only visible light disinfection technology clinically proven effective through both laboratory testing and published, peer reviewed studies.
Does Indigo-Clean technology replace my current disinfection protocol?
No. Indigo-Clean technology is designed to reduce harmful pathogens in the environment by supplementing your current disinfection efforts.
Is the disinfection instant?
Yes, however, the level increases over time as the dose builds up within the organism. In a laboratory setting, 99% disinfection can be achieved in as little as 2 hours. In clinical settings, where pathogens are being reintroduced into the room while Indigo-Clean technology is in operation, a continuous reduction of 70% is realized after the first 24 hours of operation.
Where is Indigo-Clean produced?
Indigo-Clean is manufactured in the heartland of the U.S., in a vertically integrated manufacturing facility in Kenosha, WI.
Will you license Indigo-Clean technology to other lighting manufacturers?
We have licensed Indigo-Clean technology to other Legrand lighting companies and will consider other licensing opportunities on a case-by-case basis.