A light delivery system and method are provided to promote a photochemical reaction for disinfecting a surface. The system includes a light source and a light diffusing element operatively coupled to the light source and further embedded within a surface to be disinfected. The light diffusing element outputs light to the surface to promote a photochemical reaction to disinfect the surface. A low scatter light transmission medium may further be coupled between the light source and the light diffusing element to transmit light from the light source remotely to the light diffusing element.