Ultraviolet air purifier – Is UV Alone Effective as an Air Cleaner?

Ultraviolet Light has now for decades been used in industry as an anti bacterial disinfectant. Sterilization in operating rooms, food disinfection, and pest control are just some areas being benefited. The reason is that direct contact with UV is extremely effective at destroying unwanted bacteria, viruses, and surface contaminants.

But is Ultraviolet Light Effective as an Air Cleaner?

To most people the answer is probably more no than yes. The reason is that UV light can only kill the microbes that come within 2 – 6 inches of it. Good Luck trying to get all the germs in your house to happen by or even be pulled into your ultraviolet air purifier.
It is definitely not practical.

Another problem is that the level of UV considered to be germicidal also produces ozone as a by-product. Ozone is a lung irritant and can even be lethal at too high of levels. It is safe to say that if you blast enough ozone and ultraviolet light at something you will kill the contaminants and probably yourself. Sadly this is the approach many air cleaning companies have taken in regards to home air purification leading to recent bans in residential air purifiers.

The problem lies more with the way UV and ozone have been harnessed. Lets not forget that electricity, when not treated with respect and used accordingly is also a killer.
So is there any middle ground? Is there any genuine way to utilize UV and ozone without proposing a threat to humanity yet be strong enough to clean the air we breathe?

Fortunately for us Science has been tackling these issues for 20 odd years. Using the Sun and atmosphere as models, UV and Ozone are taking on a whole new look and a lot better understanding.
AHPCO(Advanced Hydrated Photocatalytic Oxidation Cell)is an approach that is being taken to solve this issue.

AHPCO is a process whereby UV and ozone are combined with a metallic catalyst in a moist atmosphere. The result is a reaction in which the ozone is converted in other oxidizing agents. These friendly oxidizers are hydroxyl ions, hydro peroxide ions, super oxide ions, and ozonide ions. Referred to as friendly because after they react on a substance they revert back to oxygen and water. Each of these Ions individually is better at oxidizing contaminants that are floating in the air than ozone alone. Combined they represent a full frontal force on indoor air pollution. The ozone left over from the AHPCO process measures at only .01 to .02 ppm. Forest air measures about .02ppm.
Independent test have shown 97% reduction in mold spores, 90% reduction in yeast, and 88% reduction in bacteria.

Air Oasis is bringing this technology to the forefront and changing the perception of Ultraviolet air purifiers and ozone. Their Earth Care AHPCO cell is viewed by some as the most advanced and safe uv air purification systems available.