What is UVC Air Purifier?

With the development of technology and living standards, people are increasingly aware of the importance of health, which has boosted sales of air purifiers. At the same time, the coronavirus epidemic has been repeated and prevention and control has entered normalization, so viruses in the living environment are difficult to prevent and are harmful, especially for those with underlying disease. Based on the situation, a new type of UVC air purifier emerges in this fight and is expected to grow in the future. And its cost-effective, convenient, non-toxic advantages also make it an ideal choice for improving air quality. 

What is a UV Air Purifier?

Ranging from 100-280 nanometers, wave ultraviolet energy (UVC) is a kind of ultraviolet light used to disrupt the chemical bonds of DNA molecules, and then further inactivate viruses and bacteria, such as coronavirus. Therefore, the UVC air purifier is a device that uses UVC light to kill and eliminate airborne contaminants. 

It works by inhaling the surrounding air and passing it through a filter that contains UVC light, so that the light kills harmful pathogens by breaking down their DNA structure. Afterwards, purified air is released back into the room.

How do UV Air Purifiers Clean the Air?

In general, UVC air purifiers are designed to use UVC light to alter the DNA of microorganisms and then inactivate or destroy them. Typically, the UVC Air Purifier consists of a forced air system and another filter, such as a HEPA filter. 

When the air is forced to pass through the purifier’s internal irradiation chamber, it is exposed to UVC light, where is usually placed downstream of a filter of the air purifier. According to EPA, the UVC light used in purifiers is typically 254 nm.

UVC to Inactivate Viruses in an Air Cleaner

The design of UVC air purifiers is based on the concept of using electromagnetic radiation to destroy the DNA and RNA of microorganisms, further preventing their reproduction and spread. Specifically, UVC light penetrates the cell membrane of viruses and bacteria and damages their genetic material, rendering them inactive and harmless.

In general, a UVC air purifier consists of a few key components to function well, including a UVC lamp, air filter, fan, housing , etc. 

As a key component that emits UV-C light to destroy germs and bacteria in the air, the UVC lamp is usually housed inside a protective quartz tube in case of accidental exposure. While the air filter is responsible for capturing large particles such as dust, pollen, and pet dander, its filtration efficiency varies. 

As for the fan, it serves to push air through the filter and UVC lamp, and the housing provides a protective cover for the unit. However, in some models, additional features may be included, such as sensors or timers for adjusting air purification levels and remote controls for easier access.

Nowadays, the new coronavirus and influenza are raging all over the world, and people's health is threatened. The demand for UVC air purifiers has reached a new level. Air purifiers with UVC lights disrupt viruses' DNA and RNA to further cause them to die. 

Because bacteria are single-celled and depend on their DNA to survive, this means that if their DNA is damaged enough, they will become harmless. They are particularly effective at killing coronavirus because it is a type of virus that is vulnerable to UVC radiation, while cutting off air transmission helps mitigate the spread of the virus.

How Effective Are UV Air Purifiers?

According to a systematic review published by Trusted Source in 2021, UVC air purifiers with HEPA filters may be effective at removing bacteria from the air. What’s more, recent studies have also shown that UV air purifiers can effectively remove up to 99.9% of airborne bacteria and viruses, including the novel coronavirus. 

However, we must keep in mind that the effectiveness of UVC light depends on several factors, including:

• Contact: Whether viruses and bacteria come into contact with UVC lights, and how long the contaminant is exposed to light.
• Room Size: The effectiveness of UVC air purifiers can vary depending on the size of the room in which they are used.
• Type of UVC device: Generally, LEDs are more effective than lamps.
• Pollutant type: Pollutant type may also have an impact on effectiveness. For example, UVC air purifiers may not be effective at removing certain VOCs.
• Quality of filters: Undoubtedly, high-quality filters can effectively trap harmful particles and better prevent them from being released back into the air.
• Airflow rate of air purifiers: A certain airflow rate is needed to properly purify the air. If this is not achieved, the effectiveness will be affected. 
• Frequency and duration of use: If they are not used frequently or for enough time, they may not be able to effectively purify the air in the room.

In conclusion, the impact of air pollution on the health of families, especially infants, children and adolescents in families, has increased attention to air conditioning and family respiratory health. And the advantages of UVC air purifier make it an ideal choice for many people. 

However, when buying a UVC air purifier, we should avoid the one that emits ozone, as it may cause inflammation of the airways, worsening asthma symptoms and other diseases. Therefore, it is recommended by the Environmental Working Group that purifiers with HEPA filters are ozone-free. 

In addition, there are different types of UVC technology, such as low pressure mercury lamps, pulsed xenon lamps, and LED, which have different effectiveness in killing germs and viruses. Finally, the coverage area is an important consideration when choosing a UVC air purifier because the size of the room or space varies.