UV lights to kill viruses and bacteria are regulated by the EPA

by Dr. Michael R. Linford
November 19, 2020

The United States EPA issued a compliance advisory regarding regulations about UV Lights that claim to kill or be effective against viruses and bacteria. The primary purpose of this Compliance Advisory is to provide an explanation to the ultraviolet (UV) light industry that UV lights are regulated under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) as pesticide devices when sold or distributed with claims to kill or be otherwise effective against viruses and/or bacteria, unless an exception applies, and must comply with certain statutory and regulatory requirements.

From the Advisory (EPA Document # 305F20004):

Are UV lights regulated by EPA?

UV lights that are sold or distributed with claims that the product can be used for preventing, destroying repelling, or mitigating any pest (plant, animal, virus, bacteria or other micro-organism) are federally regulated by EPA under FIFRA as a device, in particular FIFRA Sections 2(q) and Section 7. Generally, without such claims, a UV light would not be subject to FIFRA.

What is a pesticide device?

Under FIFRA, a pesticide device is an instrument that is used to destroy, repel, trap, or mitigate any pests. A device must work solely by physical means (such as electricity, light or mechanics). If the device incorporates a substance or mixture of substances to perform its intended pesticidal purpose, then it is considered a pesticide product, not a device.

What are the compliance concerns related to UV lights?

There may be members of the UV light industry who are unfamiliar with FIFRA and may not be aware of statutory and regulatory requirements. For example, they may be unaware that it is a violation of FIFRA to sell or distribute pesticidal UV light devices that are misbranded or that have not been produced in an EPA-registered establishment. EPA has been receiving complaints that UV light devices may be in violation of FIFRA. These complaints are being reviewed and EPA intends to pursue enforcement, as appropriate. See EPA’s May 2020 compliance advisory on products making claims to kill the coronavirus that causes COVID 19 at https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2020-05/documents/cornavirus-compliance- advisory.pdf and any subsequent updates.

What about GreenTech Heat equipment?

Our equipment has been designed and manufactured specifically for insect eradication and kills all stages of insect development including their eggs with 1 treatment. Our equipment meets my long-standing standard of excellence and has been field tested and developed with safety and the operator in mind. Other companies have taken heaters designed for other purposes and adapted them for bed bug and general insecticidal use. GreenTech Heat also has exclusive equipment, like magnetic fire sprinkler covers and the powerful yet easy-to-transport Titan 450, that no other company has in order to assist you in the heat treatment process. All our heaters and fans come with a two-year warranty standard.

GreenTech Heat Solutions equipment is registered with the US EPA and California Department of Pesticide Regulation.

A relationship with GreenTech Heat is so much more than just getting equipment

Your equipment is only as effective as the technicians who run it. Training directly affects the return on your investment in heat equipment. To make your investment provide the greatest and fastest return on investment, all our heaters and bed bug heater packages come complete with basic training. Many of our packages include the Master Heat Technician Certification.

Heat works in all industries: pest control, historical building preservation, food storage, automotive and aircraft decontamination, government buildings, senior housing, multi-unit housing, and restaurants, just to name a few!

Technical questions or ready to get started? Call us at 855-484-2847.

Your technical manual was worth the price of our entire Titan package. It has helped us with so many valuable techniques and procedures which has in turn helped our clients. We need more manuals because we’ve worn out the one that came with our package.

Doug Foster
Burt’s Pest Control

Our comprehensive training allows you to identify bed bugs, cockroaches, and other insects in vehicles, houses, offices, hotels, medical facilities, and any other interior space. A single inclusive heat treatment that usually requires less than 1 day will kill all insect pests, bacteria, and many viruses wherever they are present in the treatment area.

Heat solutions for all budgets

GreenTech Heat provides solutions for all budgets and treatment area requirements. Our packages include everything needed to successfully kill microbes and bed bugs— including training!

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GreenTech bed bug heater packages
ePro 400 bed bug heater	ePro 400 hotel+	ePro 600 bed bug heater	ePro 1400 bed bug heater
19,659 BTU	19,659 BTU	26,212 BTU	52,377 BTU
up to 400 sqft	up to 400 sqft	up to 600 sqft	up to 1400 sqft
$1,949.00	$1,999.00	$2,217.00	$3,404.00
Click to Purchase Package	Click to Purchase Package	Click to Purchase Package	Click to Purchase Package

Titan 450	Titan 800	ePro Trailer
550,000+ BTU	990,000+ BTU	209,508 BTU
treats over 2,000 sqft	treats over 4,000 sqft	treats 5,000 sqft
$9,999.00	$10,999.00	$124,995.00
Click to Purchase Package	Click to Purchase Package   FREE ONSITE TRAINING for a limited time

GreenTech Heat technology is also 100% effective for bed bugs, cockroaches, termites, and all other insects. GreenTech Heat equipment allows you to self-treat with heat on your schedule and as your needs demand. Our certified training lets you do it right and do it safely the first time. Heat safely kills insects and bacteria, viruses, and mold everywhere they may be found in a single one-day treatment. Call us at 888-699-3944. We have bed bug heaters for sale to get started with heat today.

What People Say

My team treats one unit a week. I wouldn’t trade my GreenTech Heat Titans for anything!

Glen Hayes
East Georgia Housing Authority