Ultraviolet light or UV is generated by the sun. UV is part of the light spectrum. The full spectrum includes radio waves, infrared, visible light, ultraviolet, x-rays, gamma rays and cosmic rays. Most sources of light generate some UV. For air, surface and water disinfection, UV is generated by electric lamps that resemble ordinary fluorescent tubes.

 

UV-C - Shortwave UV, that includes germicidal ultraviolet - 253.7nm wavelength - used for air, surface and water disinfection. Unintentional overexposure to UV-C causes skin redness and eye irritation, but does NOT cause skin cancer or cataracts.

UV-B - A small, but dangerous part of sunlight. Most solar UV-B is absorbed by the diminishing atmospheric ozone layer. Prolonged exposure could result in unhealthy effects on the skin and eyes.

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UV-A - Long wave UV, also known as blacklight, responsible for skin tanning, generally not harmful, used in medicine to treat certain skin disorders.

Germicidal ultraviolet - UV of 253.7 nanometers wavelength - kills germs, such as bacteria, viruses, mold, fungi and spores, that transmit infections, cause allergies, trigger asthma attacks or cause other unhealthy effects.

 

UV destroys the DNA of these microbial contaminants rendering them sterile. If microbes are irradiated with enough dosage germicidal UV, they can no longer reproduce and over time disappear from the indoor environment.

 

Airborne germs and surface mold colonies exist in today’s airtight indoor environment, accounting for indoor pollution, many times greater than the outdoor.

The coils and air ducts of HVAC systems often are the breeding grounds for countless pathogenic, allergenic and toxic contaminants that cause allergies, asthma and other respiratory problems. UV light can help keep the indoor environment healthier and the HVAC systems clean, in top performance shape, realizing savings for medical expenses and electric and maintenance bills and reducing suffering from allergies, asthma, headaches and other problems contributed to indoor microbial contamination.

 

Germicidal UV has been used safely and effectively in hospitals, clinics and laboratories for more than 60 years.

Overexposure to UV-C causes temporary skin redness and eye irritation, but does not cause skin cancer or cataracts.

However, people should never look at the UV light and the electric power should always be turned off when replacing or cleaning the UV lamp.

Germicidal UV Technology

• Direct air and surface sterilization by unprotected UV lamps, which irradiate air and surfaces in direct view of the lamp without incorporating a  reflector.
• Direct air and surface sterilization by unprotected UV lamps, which irradiate air and surfaces in direct view of the lamp with reflector to direct the UV light to a specific area.
• Indirect air irradiation by enclosed UV lamps, which irradiate the air that passes through the UV unit moved by a fan or the natural air convection. These units can’t be used for surface irradiation because the light is enclosed or diffused so the unit can be constantly on in occupied rooms.
• UV water sterilization by hermetically enclosed UV lamps which irradiate rated water flow.

• HVAC coil surface irradiation. Keeps the coil clean of microbial growth. Incorporated in the Public Buildings Standards by the US GSA Office of the Chief Architect: “UV-C emitters / lamps shall be incorporated downstream of all cooling coils and drain pans to control airborne and surface microbial growth and transfer..."
• HVAC air-stream irradiation. High Output UV lamps designed specifically for the cold and fast-moving air in the HVAC air ducts
• In-room stationary UV – direct air and surface and indirect air irradiation for Operating Rooms and laboratories.
• Portable UV – portable units, easy to carry to different locations. Designed for a single room air irradiation. Utilize fans for air circulation and enclosed UV lamps.
• Water UV sterilization – High Output UV lamps enclosed in hermetical stainless steel chambers for water flow irradiation.

The best industry practice is to combine coil irradiation with air-stream irradiation for the most economical and effective UV solution.

For best results with water sterilization a pre-filter should be installed before the UV unit.

• The UV output
• The UV’s cumulative effect on germs

Additional engineering to achieve high first pass kill rate is usually not required.

If a household has a special situation – one or more family members having much difficulty with allergies, asthma or weak immune system – more elaborate UV installation could be designed, implementing more UV lamps or a reflective diamond chamber to intensify the UV irradiation.

UV in the Light Spectrum

The shortwave UV, also called UV-C or UV C band, is the germicidal UV, utilized in air cleaners and water purifiers.