Due to the Covid-19 crisis, there’s an increased demand for sanitation methods that can be used in communal spaces from office blocks to schools to grocery stores. While the best defense against Covid-19 is a multi-layered one – sanitation, masks, hand washing, social distancing, and vaccinations when available – deploying UV-C light technology is an extremely effective anti-virus tactic.
UV-C is Extremely Effective
UV-C is a type of ultraviolet light that is devastating to biohazards from bacteria to mold to viruses, including Covid-19. It damages the DNA in cells to the point they can no longer function properly, leading to cell death.
The result? Over 99% of biological hazards are destroyed by UV-C light, which is why it’s used in pharmaceutical and medical environments.
UV-C Eliminates the Covid-19 Virus Quickly
UV-C is not only thorough but works very fast. For example, a team from Boston University found that exposing a surface to just 5 millijoules per square centimeter of UV-C light for just six seconds reduced the viral count of Covid-19 on the surface by 99%. The researchers also concluded that 22 millijoules for 25 seconds would result in a reduction of 99.9999%.
“Our test results show that above a specific dose of UV-C radiation, viruses were completely inactivated: in a matter of seconds we could no longer detect any virus,” said team member Dr. Anthony Griffiths.
UV-C is Relatively Safe When Compared to Chemical Disinfectants
The sanitation approach most organizations have taken during the pandemic is focused on liquid disinfectants, usually applied with spray equipment and requiring a wipe down afterward. While these methods can be effective and are easy to deploy, they are labor intensive and airborne droplets can cause contamination or interfere with electronics. Disinfectants also linger as a potential contaminant on surfaces and tend to leave unpleasant odors.
UV-C can be precisely directed, leaves behind no contaminants or odors, and many UV-C applications require no workers to operate or monitor equipment, allowing employees to focus on other tasks.
Disadvantages of UV-C
However, UV-C is not 100% safe, and precautions are necessary. The light produced is damaging to human skin and eyes, and any UV-C equipment you use should have proper interlocks and shielding so that employees are never exposed to an active UV-C light. In some applications, workers may need PPE, such as UV-resistant gloves, goggles or face shields.
Safe, Effective UV-C for Air Quality
Though transmission from surfaces is possible, the main vector for Covid-19 is airborne droplets. What if UV-C could be used to clean the virus from room air, and do so with no danger of human exposure to harmful rays?
The new Air Guardian unit passes room air through advanced carbon glass HEPA filters (removing dust and other contaminants) before moving it through a 19-foot tube lined with UV-C LED’s, exposing it constantly to virus-killing light. This tube is circuitous by design, keeping the Air Guardian’s size to just 2 feet by 4 feet.
This continuous cleansing operation while the room is occupied is the optimal approach for reducing spread of the virus, especially when combined with other practices such as masking and social distancing. Independent testing shows the Air Guardian kills Covid-19 in 13 seconds, and it runs quietly and produces no odors.
If you think the Air Guardian may be the right solution for your space, get in touch with Thayer today and we can discuss your needs and this opportunity for increased Covid safety.
