Types of Air Disinfection Purifiers

Types of Air Disinfection Purifiers

Air disinfection purifiers are designed to kill viruses, bacteria, and other contaminants in the air, and they can also be used to sanitize surfaces. They are usually small, portable units that come in a variety of configurations, from table tops to wall mounted versions for use in rooms up to 3,000 sq. ft. They use UV light, ozone, or hydroxyl radicals (OH) to identify and destroy microorganisms in the air and on surfaces.

The air in homes and other buildings is much more polluted than outdoor air, and this can cause health problems. These issues often result from poor indoor air quality, including allergens, pathogens, and chemicals. Poor indoor air quality has been linked to a number of diseases, such as respiratory illness and chronic inflammatory conditions.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many people have searched for ways to improve their indoor air quality in order to improve health and reduce exposure to potentially harmful contaminants. One method that is being promoted is the use of a UV air disinfection purifier, which uses ultraviolet (UV) light to kill viruses and other pollutants in the air.

Some UV air purifiers also have a HEPA filter to catch and capture viruses as they pass through the unit. However, studies have shown that even the most powerful UV air purifiers are not strong enough to kill all viruses in a single pass. They may not even be able to kill the viruses that get stuck in the HEPA filters, because the virus particles are too small and can easily slip past the filters.

Another type of air disinfection purifier is ozone generators, which produce ozone from oxygen in the air. The ozone can kill many kinds of organisms, and it is sometimes used in hospitals to sterilize equipment. However, ozone can have negative side effects, such as oxidative stress on the human body and damage to lung tissue. It is important to note that while ozone generators can be effective in killing viruses, they are not as effective as other methods for preventing the spread of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases.

Finally, some manufacturers have started to market UV-C air purifiers that claim to kill viruses in the air. However, UV-C radiation is not good for the human body and can actually harm the ozone layer in the atmosphere. Additionally, most 'COVID-19-ready' UV air purifiers do not produce enough UV-C radiation to kill COVID-19.

Using an air disinfection purifier in combination with other best practices recommended by CDC and other public health agencies can help to reduce the spread of COVID-19. These include social distancing, mask wearing, and increased ventilation. However, it is important to note that air cleaning or filtration cannot prevent the transmission of viruses in a room if there are significant pollutant sources and/or inadequate ventilation. For these reasons, EH&S recommends that the ASHRAE Ventilation Handbook and CDC guidelines be followed before considering any kind of air cleaning or filtration in facilities or other spaces.