Ultraviolet (UV) Air Purifiers

Ultraviolet air purifiers were first introduced in 1990. They are devices that remove harmful airborne substances and provide clean and fresh air, preventing many health hazards related to the respiratory system. There are various types of air purifiers like small room air purifiers, medium room air purifiers, car air purifiers and commercial air purifiers. Different brands offer different models, depending upon the type of usage.

How does an Ultraviolet Air Purifier Work?
To know how the UV air purifier actually works, it is necessary to first understand the function of ultraviolet lights. Ultraviolet light utilizes its energy to break down the organic molecular bonds of the micro-organisms, due to which the organism is destroyed. In an ultraviolet air purifier, the particles and organisms present in the air enter the purifier and while passing by the UV rays, their molecular bonds are broken and they are destroyed. The UV air purifier gives out air that is cleansed and free of any harmful particles.

What do UV Air Purifiers Destroy?
They destroy all the harmful particles and micro-organisms found in the air. They include particles like dust and dust mites, mildew, allergens, pollens, smoke, vehicle fumes, molds, pet dead skin flakes and dander as well as organisms like bacteria, viruses, fungi and other germs.

What are the Benefits of UV Air Purifiers?
There are plenty of benefits, a few of them are as follows.

• UV air purifiers prevent airborne diseases like allergy, flu, pneumonia, tuberculosis and asthma by disinfecting the air and efficiently destroying the particles and organisms that can cause these diseases.
• They prevent the growth of molds in central air conditioners and cooling coils, thus eliminating the need to clean them regularly.
• They keep the room fresh and clean by eliminating odors.
• They destroy volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Volatile organic compounds are harmful gases/vapors emitted by various products.
• They give out negative hydroxyl ions, a compound that removes pollutants from the atmosphere.
• These purifiers work efficiently in commercial as well as home setups.
• They are easy to install, operate and maintain.

What are the different types of UV Air Purifiers?
There are various types of UV air purifiers available, depending upon where they will be put to use.

• Small room and Large room air purifiers: Small room UV air purifiers can be used in bathrooms, kitchens, bedrooms, office cabins, etc. while large room purifier can be used in living rooms and hospital rooms like the ICU.
• Commercial UV air purifiers: They can be used in restaurants, shopping malls, offices and clinics.
• Car purifiers: As the name suggests can be installed in cars to keep away outdoor pollution and to keep the interiors of the car fresh, clean and dust-free.
• Whole House purifiers: They can be installed in the HVAC system to cover the whole house and keep it free of dust and molds.

The maintenance of ultraviolet air purifiers is easy. The UV lamp in the air purifier needs to be changed once in two years and the dust collection plates need to be cleaned regularly with a damp cloth. With a rise in the number of people suffering from disorders related to the respiratory system, the use of these purifiers has become a necessity.