CleanWhite® Scientific Validation Sources

Explore the research, laboratory testing, and scientific evidence supporting CleanWhite® technology and its applications in healthier indoor environments.

24+

Publications Cited

24/7

Occupied-Space Safe

Disinfection

Numerous peer-reviewed studies demonstrate the effectiveness of visible 405nm light against bacteria, viruses, mold and fungi — the core science behind CleanWhite®’s continuous, chemical-free disinfection in occupied spaces.

Researcher examining samples under a microscope

Bacteria

Visible 405nm light has been shown to disrupt bacterial cell structures, reducing viable microbial load in clinical and occupied environments.​
405 nm light technology for the inactivation of pathogens and its potential role for environmental disinfection and infection control 

Peer-reviewed publication · opens external source

Environmental decontamination of a hospital isolation room using high-intensity narrow-spectrum light 

Peer-reviewed publication · opens external source

Light as a Broad-Spectrum Antimicrobial 

Peer-reviewed publication · opens external source

Photodynamic inactivation of Mycobacterium tuberculosis by broad-spectrum visible light 

Peer-reviewed publication · opens external source

Viruses

Independent virology research examines how 405nm violet-blue light interacts with enveloped and non-enveloped viral particles across clinical media.

Mold & Fungi

Studies across food safety and clinical microbiology explore how 405nm exposure affects fungal spore viability and growth.​

Blue Light Health

Not all blue light behaves the same way. Understanding wavelength and intensity is essential to separating harmful exposure from the visible light used in CleanWhite® disinfection.

Close-up of a human eye exposed to blue light

Eye Pain 

Conventional high-energy blue light in the 415–455nm range has been associated with visual discomfort and retinal stress. CleanWhite® is engineered outside this harmful band, distinguishing disinfection-grade visible light from the blue light emitted by standard consumer LEDs and screens.
Effect of light-emitting diodes with different color rendering indexes on the ocular tissues of rat 

Peer-reviewed publication · opens external source

Blue Light Direct pain 

Discomfort and hazard from light exposure are driven by a combination of intensity and wavelength, not wavelength alone. Research shows that carefully calibrated irradiance at 405nm can deliver germicidal effect while remaining within recognized visual comfort thresholds.

Circadian

Light is the primary cue that regulates the human body clock. Understanding how spectral composition across the day-night cycle influences circadian rhythm is central to designing healthier indoor lighting.

Human brain and biological clock representing circadian rhythm

Blue Light Disruption

Evening exposure to short-wavelength blue light can suppress melatonin production, delaying the body's natural signal to prepare for sleep.
The spectral sensitivity of human circadian phase resetting and melatonin suppression to light changes dynamically with light duration 

Peer-reviewed publication · opens external source

Development and Verification of a 480 nm Blue Light Enhanced/Reduced Human-Centric LED for Light-Induced Melatonin Concentration Control 

Peer-reviewed publication · opens external source

Circadian-Linked Health Risks

Chronic circadian misalignment has been linked in the literature to sleep disruption, mood, and broader wellness concerns among indoor building occupants.

405nm & Visual Comfort

Photobiological safety standards and visual comfort metrics confirm that properly
engineered 405nm lighting can operate continuously in occupied healthcare, education, and office environments.

Close-up of an iris illustrating visual comfort and light exposure
PHOTOBIOLOGICAL SAFETY OF LAMPS AND LAMP SYSTEMS 

Industry standard (IEC) · opens external source

CIE SYSTEM FOR METROLOGY OF OPTICAL RADIATION FOR IPRGC-INFLUENCED RESPONSES TO LIGHT 

Industry standard (CIE) · opens external source

History of ocular straylight measurement: A review 

Peer-reviewed publication · opens external source

Measuring and using light in the melanopsin age

Peer-reviewed publication · opens external source

Mechanisms of blue light-induced eye hazard and protective measures: a review 

Peer-reviewed publication · opens external source

CLEANWHITE – IEC 62471 certification certificate 

Certification document · opens external source

Scientific Validation Statistics

24+

Scientific Publications

10

Years of LED Innovation

24/7

Continuous Occupied Operation

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 405nm visible light the same as UV light?

No. This is one of the most important distinctions to make. UV light falls below 400nm and carries real safety concerns with prolonged exposure. CleanWhite® uses 405nm violet light, which sits within the visible spectrum. You can see it, and it's safe to work under. That difference is what allows CleanWhite® to run continuously in occupied spaces where UV systems simply can't.

Is CleanWhite® safe for continuous use around people?

Yes. CleanWhite® is certified to IEC 62471 Risk Group 0, the exempt category for photobiological hazard, meaning no restriction on exposure time for eyes or skin. It's designed to run around the clock in spaces where people live, work, and heal. There's no need to clear a room, schedule downtime, or wait for a cycle to finish.

How does 405nm light inactivate microorganisms?

Many bacteria and fungi naturally contain molecules called porphyrins. When 405nm light reaches them, those porphyrins absorb the energy and release reactive oxygen species inside the cell. That internal reaction damages the organism and inactivates it. Because the process works on the microbe's own chemistry rather than a surface coating or chemical residue, it keeps working quietly and continuously as long as the light is on.

Does CleanWhite® replace manual cleaning protocols?

No, and it isn't meant to. CleanWhite® works alongside your existing cleaning routines, not in place of them. Manual cleaning handles what you can see. CleanWhite® goes to work in the hours between, adding a continuous layer of protection on the surfaces your team already maintains. Think of it as reinforcement, not a replacement.

Where can I find the original research referenced here?

We believe in backing our claims with published science. The peer-reviewed studies behind CleanWhite's technology, along with our certifications and testing summaries, are available on request. Reach out to our team and we'll share the research most relevant to your facility type.

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