Is UV-C Safe in Air Purifiers?

Air purifiers have become increasingly popular in recent times due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the need to improve indoor air quality. Electric air purifiers, such as electrostatic purifiers, ultraviolet light emitters, ionizers, and hydroxyl generators, are some of the most common types of air purifiers. However, some of these types of filters can create potentially dangerous indoor air pollution. UV-C light is the most harmful type of UV light and can be dangerous if not properly sealed inside the air purifier.

It can leak and cause harm to your body. Jones notes that not only are UV air purifiers unlikely to be effective, but they could also be dangerous. Ozone is a gas composed of three oxygen atoms (O3) which can be a harmful air pollutant if not properly coated. The evidence on the use of UVC to inactivate airborne microorganisms is far from obvious.

The addition of UVC in standalone air purifiers does not seem to add any benefit or improvement in performance that a suitable HEPA filter does not yet provide. The air purifier light itself is safe since you are not normally exposed to it. However, there are other risks that UV air purifiers have. Air exposed to ultraviolet light can create ozone which can reduce lung function and have serious effects on human health. Not all UV air purifiers create ozone, so it's essential to do due diligence before purchasing an air purifier that uses UV lights, to ensure it's within the safe range and doesn't have an adverse impact on indoor air quality and human health after exposure. A study published in the journal Public Health Reports points out that a common way to use UVC to disinfect air is with something called “ultraviolet germicidal radiation (UVGI) from the upper room”, in which lamps are mounted on the ceiling and clean the air near the ceiling before it circulates downwards again.

UVC can be used alone in institutional settings such as hospitals to kill germs, but when it comes to your home, you'll most likely find it in combination with an air purifier that also has a filter, for example, a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. Smart Air is a certified B company that is committed to fighting the myths that large companies use to inflate the price of clean air. Effective air filtration can help protect against Covid-19 and improve overall indoor air quality. To significantly reduce pollution levels in a given room, a stand-alone air cleaner with effective filtration needs to move enough air through the unit to achieve several air changes per hour. Whenever you are looking for an air purifier, there are many different factors you should consider during the process of buying an air purifier such as the technology used, its safety, and how effectively it improves indoor air quality. Appleby Systems' experts stand behind their products and will guide your family to choose the right UV air purifier.