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UV Air Purification Using An Air Purifier
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The Sun: Nature's Outdoor Air Purifier
For years, scientists have known that one of the most effective air purifiers
is natural sunlight. Not the light we see when we look out the window, but the
invisible "C" band, ultraviolet rays that make up part of the sun's
light spectrum. UV-C light inhibits the growth and reproduction of germs:
bacteria, viruses, fungi & mold. The sun acts as a natural outdoor air
purification system, controlling airborne bacteria with ultraviolet rays.
Indoor Air: High Concentration Of Biological Contaminants
Biological contaminants in indoor air account for over 50% of home allergies,
according to the World Health Organization. Asthma and allergy sufferers must
endure constant bombardment by molds, dust, and spores. Even worse, inhaling
airborne bacteria and viruses can cause sicknesses ranging from allergies to
tuberculosis, and are actually the cause of death to an estimated 8.5 million
people annually.
The sun's UV rays must directly contact bacteria in order to affect them. This
process does not occur indoors. The Environmental Protection Agency reports
that indoor air can contain up to 70 times more pollution than outdoor air. The
air in a single room can contain hundreds of thousands of infectious bacteria,
viruses, fungal spores, and contaminants, which can only be seen with a
microscope.
To reduce indoor airborne bacteria, contamination, and particulates, many health
and environmental authorities recommend air purification with ultraviolet
energy.
Facts About UV
Ultraviolet energy waves, invisible to the human eye, are lethal to the
microorganisms found in indoor air. UV's effectiveness is directly related to
intensity and exposure time. Also, to destroy microorganisms, UV rays must
strike the contaminants directly. UV light penetrates the microorganism and
breaks down molecular bonds causing cellular and/or genetic damage. The germs
are either killed or sterilized, leaving them unable to reproduce. In either
case, live bacterial counts can be significantly reduced and kept under
control.
Filter Systems Alone Don't Solve the Problem
The majority of indoor air is conditioned by forced-air heating and cooling
(HVAC) systems. Standard fiber air filters are entirely ineffective in trapping
germs, as most particles are simply too small, passing right through the porous
filter. New, HEPA style filters will only capture airborne bacteria down to a
certain size. These HEPA filters are nominally effective, trapping small
airborne contaminates on the filter, creating a breeding ground where germs can
continue to grow and multiply. Filters are not purifiers.
HVAC systems are a dark and damp breeding ground for mold and bacteria, particularly
at the system filter and air conditioning (A/C) coil. The buildup of matter on
the A/C coil and filter can significantly reduce the efficiency of the
appliance as the airflow is constricted and reduced. This means increased cost
to the homeowner on top of the risks of airborne pollutants.
Indoor Air Treatment With UV
UV's effectiveness in killing bacteria is directly related to a microorganism's
exposure time. Indoor air in a typical residential forced-air HVAC system will
be recirculated over 50 times a day. With a purifier and its UV generating lamp mounted in the
HVAC duct, cumulative exposure can be very effective in controlling indoor
bacteria. UV rays will also kill germs that breed in drain pans and A/C coils.
Properly positioned, an ultraviolet system can significantly reduce indoor air
contamination and prevent the growth of new microorganisms.
The treatment of indoor air with ultraviolet radiation has been successful in
health care facilities, food processing plants, schools, laboratories and other
applications. It is a safe, silent, and proven method of improving indoor air
quality.
Ultraviolet radiation by itself or in combination with a HEPA or other high quality filter,
is the most effective way to reduce airborne bacteria and the health risks they
represent.
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