The Viralite dual light system from aerospace engineering company Waypoint Interiors is designed to combat deadly viruses and germs on a variety of commercial vehicles, including school buses.
Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Waypoint Interiors teamed up with Hubbell Lighting to manufacture and coordinate the technical development of the Viralite system for passenger aircraft to help sanitize passenger seating areas during flu season and viral outbreaks.
Since then, Hubbell has licensed Waypoint to use their technology, the Spectra Clean 405 nanometer (nm) light, and Waypoint added the complimentary and stronger 280 UV-C light as the COVID and viral killing portion of the Viralite system, according to the company. The combination of these two lights, which requires turning on a light switch, is reportedly a more effective and safer method for sanitizing school buses.
The initial cost of the Viralite system, according to Waypoint, is less than one year of chemical sanitizing considering materials, handling, and labor. The ongoing years of operation are reportedly cost free for school district customers, with little or no maintenance, as the system uses long-life LED lighting fixtures.
The system can be purchased using state funding, as Waypoint, in conjunction with Hubbell Lighting, can provide the required technical information of the Viralite system for application to state authorities.