UV Systems UV Systems  
   
     Contact | Login
profile uv systems uv science facts press releases uv info business programs
UV Light fights allergy, asthma, mold.

UV Light, Indoor Air Quality And Health

  UV and Indoor Air Quality  UV facts

Uv light  Improves Health, fights allergy, asthma, mold
 

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, indoor air quality has a tremendous impact on people's health. Germicidal UV light has been proven effective and utilized in numerous applications to improve indoor air quality and therefore indoor environment.

The EPA states that indoor air pollution can be much higher than the outdoor environment. In order to fight indoor air pollution people who suffer from asthma or allergies attempt to dust more, keep the windows closed, clean frequently  but the allergy or asthma symptoms usually still persist. One reason is the presence of airborne germs, their particles and by products - allergens or asthma triggers in the indoor air. These microbes are considerably big factor in the indoor air pollution.

The airborne germs adversely affect the indoor air quality as they are blown past the furnace or air conditioning filter and circulated throughout the buildings. Ultraviolet light - UVC - is recommended for hospitals, laboratories, food processing plants and other public facilities concerned with the indoor air quality as a health factor. UV was incorporated in The Facilities Standards for the Public Buildings by the U. S. General Services Administration Office of the Chief Architect.

Numerous health studies have shown that germicidal ultraviolet light - UVC - is very effective against mold, mildew, fungi and viruses, bacteria and spores by breaking down their DNA or RNA. UV light can play a great role in secondary allergy prevention especially where airborne allergens are concerned. It can reduce suffering from allergies. The UV air cleaners help control germs that make asthma worse. Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation - UVGI is the use of short UV waves, known as UVC, which has been proven to kill or inactivate tuberculosis in the indoor air. There are two ways in which UV lamps are used for indoor air quality control - upper-room air and in-duct ultraviolet germicidal irradiation. Many airborne pathogens can be removed from the indoor air by the use of germicidal ultraviolet air disinfection systems.

The following UV resources offer detailed information on how modern technology uses the ultraviolet light in residential and commercial settings to fight mold and airborne pathogens helping provide healthier indoor environment:

Health Watch - Mold Analysis Reports Health Watch - Mold Analysis Reports

UV Light against bird flu UV against Avian (Bird) Flu

ASHRAE Position Document on Airborne Infectious Diseases

UV Light against allergies UV Light against allergies

UV helps fight asthma UV helps fight asthma

UV Light fights Bioterrorism UV Effective Against Bioterrorism - A Harvard Public Health Study

UV Light fights tuberculosis Ultraviolet against bioterrorism /PDF

UV Light fights Bioterrorism UV For Biological Protection - FEMA

UV Light fights anthrax UV Light fights anthrax

UV Light fights tuberculosis UV for control of tuberculosis TB

UVC and IAQ Case Study in a school UVC and IAQ Case Study in a school

UVC and IAQ Case Study in a city hospital UVC and IAQ Case Study in a city hospital

Public Buildings Air and UV Standards UV in GSA Standards for the Public Buildings

Articles referencing UV and the Indoor Air Quality Articles referencing UV and the Indoor Air Quality

Mold Remediation and Indoor Air Quality Mold Remediation and Indoor Air Quality

Indoor air pollution Indoor air pollution

Summary posted by American Air & Water on 4/22/2010
Source: American Friends of Tel Aviv University

Scientists at Tel Aviv University, Israel, have determined that ultraviolet (UV) light may be a better solution to keeping tap water clean than the chlorine traditionally used by water treatment facilities. The researchers found that UV wavelengths at the nanoscale (optimally between 254 and 270 nanometers) effectively cleaned the water and helped keep membranes in desalination plants clear of bacterial build-up. According to Anat Lakretz, a doctoral student, "The best way to control and kill these micro-organisms was to damage their DNA. The damage that the UV light causes has no known negative effect on the water." The UV light approach works even better against parasites that aren't killed with chlorine treatment, such as Giarrdia and Cryptosporidium, two parasites that can cause severe diarrhea and can lead to death. Children, the elderly and those in developing nations are particularly vulnerable to these parasites. Lakretz says "Sewage leakage into water supplies poses a big problem in terms of bacterial contamination, and is something UV light could remediate." Small amounts of chlorine would still be needed, but overall this new method would significantly reduce the amount of carcinogenic by-products from chlorine and make water treatment more efficient and cost effective.
 

UVGI Testing Report
The objective of this project was to assess microbial levels in air and on surfaces in Ingham Hospital before and after the installation of a UVGI-HVAC system.

Using bacteria and fungi levels as a standard of effectiveness of the UVGI-HVAC system, indoor air samples were collected before and after UV installation and microbial levels were compared. Using the impingement method viable microorganisms (E. coli, total bacteria, Staphylococci, MRSA, and fungi) were sampled in the air. This study also investigated indoor surface contamination because fomites have been shown to act as reservoirs for spreading diseases. Samples were collected pre and post UVGI installation.

On both campuses of Ingham Regional Hospital, the UV systems have decreased all microorganism levels in the post installation tests in the air and on surfaces.

See UV testing report /PDF/
Uv light fights allergy, asthma, mold
 
UV Quote
Some properly designed, and well-maintained, UV Germicidal Irradiation installations have proven highly effective, as in certain hospitals, and some studies performed in schools. CDC guidelines recommend the use of Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation only with the simultaneous use of HEPA filters and high rates of purge airflow. The germicidal effects can also be species-dependent.
Uv light fights allergy, asthma, mold
 
UV Air Cleaner Guide
The printable version of the UV Guide can be downloaded as a PDF file.

UV Guide

Uv light fights allergy, asthma, mold

 

 

© 2002 - 2021
American Air & Water®, Inc.
843-306-0070

Privacy Statement and other Policies

uv disinfection | uv systems | uv science facts | press releases | links and q&a | uv programs
uv news | contact

300Pix Web Design