Commercial HVAC Air Purifier
About UV Light Purification
Research Studies and Facts
No other form of air purification is more effective at destroying and neutralizing micro-organisms than ultraviolet light radiation.
How UV (Ultraviolet) Light Works
Ultraviolet light possesses just the right amount of energy to break organic molecular bonds. As micro-organisms pass by the UV rays radiated from the ultraviolet lamp, this bond breakage translates into cellular or genetic damage for micro-organisms, such as germs, viruses, bacteria, fungi (like molds), etc. This results in the destruction of the micro-organism.
Facts and Studies
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The Centers of Disease Control (CDC) recommends the use of ultraviolet light with simultaneous use of HEPA air filters, both of which are offered in Surround Air multi-function air purifiers.
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The U.S. government now specifies that UV light should be used in air handling units to improve indoor air quality in government buildings, by controlling airborne and surface microbial growth.
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The Air Institute of Respiratory Education suggests UV lights be used in buildings for indoor air quality purposes, and states that may be the final line of defense against those diseases that have developed resistance to drugs, such as tuberculosis and others.
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According to the Aerobiological Engineering Dept. at Penn State University, the ultraviolet component of sunlight is the main reason microbes die in the outdoor air. The die-off rate in the outdoors varies from one pathogen to another, but can be anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes for a 90-99% kill of viruses or contagious bacteria.
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The Centers of Disease Control (CDC) recommends UV lights in homeless shelters to prevent the spread of disease, particularly TB (tuberculosis).
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A study by Air & Waste Management Association found the combination of a HEPA air filter and germicidal UV lamp reduced bacteria by 80% in a 3072 cubic foot chamber.
Research Study: UV Lamps Reduce Worker Sickness
This study tested 771 employees in three different office buildings. The UV lights, which were installed in the ventilation system, were operated in three cycles of four weeks on, twelve weeks off. Measurements showed a 99% reduction of germs on irradiated surfaces inside the ventilation system.
During some weeks, there was a 40% reduction in respiratory symptoms, and a 30% reduction in mucous problems in individuals examined. When the lights were activated, muscle complaints among nonsmokers were reduced by 50%, and work-related breathing problems decreased by 60%.
How Activated Carbon Filters Work
Activated carbon air filters consist of a vast system of pores of molecular size. These pores are highly adsorbent, forming a strong chemical bond/attraction to odorous, gaseous, and liquid contaminates, especially organic chemicals/compounds.
Activated Carbon Filter Facts and Studies
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Activated carbon air filters trap odors and chemicals in highly absorbent granules (or pores), which look like a hard scrub brush.
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Activated carbon is a charcoal that is treated with oxygen in order to open up millions of tiny pores between the carbon atoms, resulting in a highly adsorbent material.
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Originally used in World War II to protect U.S. soldiers from chemical warfare agents.
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In a study commissioned by the U.S. Dept. of Energy, activated carbon filters were found to removed 60-70% of airborne ozone compared to filters without activated carbon.
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Another study commissioned by the U.S. Dept. of Energy found that activated carbon filters removed harmful VOC's (Volatile Organic Compounds) by 60-80%, and formaldehyde by 25-30%.
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According to a report released by the Centers of Disease Control, Dept. of Health and Human Services, and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, activated carbon is an excellent adsorber/absorber of most organic chemicals.
Chemicals that Activated Carbon Filtration is Effective at Removing:
Acetaldehyde Cyclohexanol Hydrogen fluoride Paint & redecorating odors
Acetic Acid Cyclohexanol Hydrogen iodide Palmitic Acid
Acetic anhydride Cyclohexene Hydrogen selenide Paradichlorbenzine
Acetone Decane Hydrogen sulfide Pantane
Dibromoethane Incensen Pentanone
Acrolem Dichlorobenzene Indole Pentylene
Acrylic Acid Dichlorodifluoromethane Iodine Pentyne
Acrylonitrile Dichloroethane Iodoform Perchloroethylene
Alcoholic Beverages Dichloroethylene Irritants Perfumes, cosmetics
Amines Dichloroethyl Isophorone Phenol
Ammonia Dichloromonofluormethane Isoprene Phosgene
Ameyl acetate Dichloronitroethane Isopropyl acetate Pitch
Amyl alcohol Dichloroprpane Isopropyl alcohol Poison gases
Amyl ether Dichlorotetrafluoroethane Isopropyl ether Pollen
Aniline Diesel fumes Kerosene Poultry odors
Asphalt fumes Diethylamine Kitchen odors Propane
Automobile Exhaust Diethyl ketone Lactic acid Propionaldehyde
Benzene Dimethylaniline Dimethylsulfate Propionic acid
Body odors Dimethylsulfate Menthol Propyl acetate
Borane Dioxane Mercaptans Propyl alcohol
Bromine Diproyl ketone Methil acetate Propyl chloride
Burned Flesh Ether Menthyl acrylate Propyl ether
Burned Food Ethyl acetate Methyl alcohol Propyl mercaptan
Butadiene Ethyl acrylate Methyl bromide Methyl bromide
Butane Ethyl alcohol Methyl butyl ketone Propylene
Butanone Ethyl amine Methyl cellosolve Propyne
Butyl acetate Ethyl benzene Methyl cellosolve acetate Putrefying substances
Butyl alcohol Ethyl bromide Methyl chloride Putrescine
Butyl cellosolve Ethyl chloride Methyl chloroform Pyridine
Butyl chloride Ethyl ether Methyl ether Resins
Butyl ether Ethyl formate Methyl ethyl ketone Rubber
Butylene Ethyl mercaptan Methyl formate Sauerkraut
Butyne Ethyl silicate Methyl isobutyl ketone Sewer odors
Butyraldehyde Ethylene chlorhydrin Methyl mercaptan Skalote
Butyric acid Ethylene dichloride Methylcyclohexane Slaughtering odors
Camphor Ethylene oxide Methylcyclohexanol Smog
Caprylic acid Essential oils Methylcyclohexaone Sour milks
Carbolic acid Eucalyptole Methylene chloride Stoddard solvent
Carbon disulfide Fertilizer Monochlorobenzene Styrene monomer
Carbon dioxide Film processing odors Monofluorotri cloromethane Sulfur dioxide
Carbon tetrachloride Fish odors Naphtha Sulfur trioxide
Cellosolve Floral scents Naphthziene Sulfuric acid
Cellosolve acetate Fluorotrichloromethane Nitric acid Tetrachloroethane
Cheese Formaldehyde Nitro benzenes Tetrachloroethylene
Chlorine Formic acid Nitroethane Tobacco smoke odor
Chlorobenzene Gangrene Nitrogen dioxide Toilet odors
Chlorobutadiene Garlic Nitroglycerine Toluene
Chloroform Gasoline Nitromethane Toluidine
Chloronitropropane Heptane Nitropropane Trichlorethylene
Chloropicrin Heptylene Nitrotoluene Trichloroethane
Citrus and other fruits Hexane Nonane Turpentine
Cleaning compounds Hexylene Octalene Urea
Coal smoke Hexyne Octane Uric acid
Creosote Organic Chemicals Onions Valeric acid
Cresol Hydrogen bromide Varnish fumes Valericaldehyde
Crotonaldehyde Hydrogen chlorid Ozone Xylene
Cychlohexane Hydrogen cyanide Packing house odors