JACKSONVILLE, N.C. — Typical cleaners aren’t cutting it for some business owners, so they are turning to ultraviolet (UV) lights to disinfect surfaces.

What You Need To Know

  • Vélo Fitness Studio is a boutique fitness studio focused on personalized and group training for its clients
  • The UVC clean lights installed use 222 nanometers on the light spectrum, which kills airborne pathogens while being safe for people, animals and plants
  • These lights eliminate viruses and bacteria that cause diseases including MRSA, c-difficile, RSV, Ebola and influenza 

In 2020 and 2021, Paige Jamison had back-to-back knee surgeries.

“Where they actually sawed my bones in half, moved them over and then shaved down my kneecap and put screws in,” Jamison said.

Since the surgeries, she now suffers from chronic knee pain as well as weight gain. That’s why she looked for a safe way to exercise.

“Things became extremely difficult and painful,” Jamison said.

Another concern for Jamison was her asthma, because the COVID-19 pandemic was at its height while she was recovering from her surgeries.

“COVID came around, I was terrified to be going out in public, going to grocery stores, let alone a gym… I get sick extremely easily and very hard, so I’ll go out for weeks at a time,” Jamison said.

That’s when she found Vélo Fitness Studio, a cycle bar that also provides other fitness classes.

Owner Elissa Faith Deal puts her members' safety above all else.

“The breeding ground that a gym can be. I wanted to avoid that at all costs. I went ahead and installed USUV clean lights to kill 99.9% of germs,” Deal said.

This meant everything to Jamison. She finally had a place where she could feel comfortable to improve her physical health while also maintaining her immune health.

“It’s like a breath of fresh air,” Jamison said.

“I appreciate the fact that they’re taking the time to make sure that we’re working out in a safe environment. So, when you have something in place that's even beyond, like, cleaners in which work, but, like, the fact that they take that extra step forward to completely remove the problem, it's just incredible to see,” Jaminson said.

Faith says after installing the UV light, her studio’s cancelation rate has gone down significantly.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says UVC radiation is a known disinfectant for air, water and nonporous surfaces.