Ultraviolet Air Disinfection
A sanitary indoor environment and clean indoor air quality is of vital importance. Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) uses ultraviolet light to kill microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, mold, and pathogens. Since the mid-20th century, UVGI has been used primarily to sterilize medical facilities; and recently, it has been used in restaurants, grocery stores, water purification systems, and air purification systems (HVAC).
Science has proven that Ultraviolet Germicidal irradiation is effective in killing germs. Duke University Medical Center published a study in 2012 that UVGI kills 97% of antibiotic-resistant bacteria, also known as the superbug bacteria. According to a report by the Journal of Applied and Environmental Biology in 2001, UVGI significantly reduces the airborne fungi in air handling units. On April 25, 2020, amid a global pandemic, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) specified that UVGI is an approved method for sterilizing medical equipment that has been potentially contaminated by COVID-19.
UVGI lights mounted inside the HVAC system destroy microorganisms, reduce allergens, and disinfect the air as it passes through the high-power light. The low-pressure mercury vapor lamps emit UV-C radiation at a wavelength of 253.7 nm. This sterilization process also increases the airflow of ventilation systems by killing and reducing microorganisms that clog the filters, which ultimately improves the system's efficiency.