Ultraviolet (UV) light air purifiers are a popular choice for many households, but they come with their own set of pros and cons. Just as ozone in the Earth's atmosphere reacts with UV rays from the sun, light and heat from some UV air purifiers can also generate heat that converts free-floating oxygen (O and O) molecules into dangerous ground-level ozone (O). This can cause breathing difficulties, especially in people who have asthma. The air purifier's own light is safe, as you're not normally exposed to it.
However, UV air purifiers come with other risks. Air exposed to UV light can create ozone. This is just an unstable oxygen molecule, but it can have serious effects on human health. Exposure to ozone can reduce lung function, but not all UV air purifiers create ozone.
Similar results were obtained in a study on the safety of air disinfection with ultraviolet germicide in upper rooms for occupants of rooms of patients with tuberculosis. In both studies, UV exposure had no significant negative effects, supporting the use of UV purification in a variety of healthcare settings. Many harmful contaminants are unaffected by UV-C light. UV light cannot destroy volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are commonly found in household products, from paints and varnishes to cleaning, disinfecting and cosmetic solutions.
The intense energy of UV light can even cause VOCs to release gases more quickly than usual or turn them into more dangerous substances. In direct response to COVID-19, new companies have emerged that claim to offer “incredibly powerful air purifiers with UV light”. Currently, the Center for Disease Control and the Environmental Protection Agency do not recommend the use of UV light in HEPA air purifiers. These home air purifiers appeared after it was discovered that UV light helps prevent the spread of hospital-acquired infections during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The main problem with this type of technology is that it can filter ultraviolet light, which can harm any living being. Electromagnetic radiation takes many forms, from visible light to radio waves and ultraviolet light. In contrast, HEPA filtration systems work very well on their own, without introducing UV light into the mixture. When people get sunburned after a day at the beach, they are suffering from radiation burns due to a type of UV light emitted by the sun.
Redness is the inflammatory response of the skin when UV radiation directly damages its DNA, which can lead to skin cancer. This is because, although UVC light has the potential to kill bacteria and viruses, in a typical portable air filter that can be purchased at a store, it is unlikely that the air will be exposed to UVC light long enough to cause an impact. This means you'll keep coughing and sneezing if you have an air purifier that uses UV light. UV air purifiers are devices that use ultraviolet light technology to capture air and pass it through a filter. Appleby Systems experts stand behind your products and will help your family choose the right UV air purifier for your needs. Overall, while there are some potential risks associated with using a UV air purifier, there are also many benefits that make them worth considering for your home or office environment.
It is important to weigh both sides before making a decision about whether or not to purchase one.
