Agencies endorse UVC for air purification

10/01/2007

Ultraviolet-C (UVC) technology for air purification has recently been endorsed or specified by numerous federal, state, and local government agencies such as the Government Services Administration (GSA), CDC, EPA, and FEMA, as well as industry organizations including the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) and the Illumination Engineering Society of North America.

Other endorsements and specifications of UVC as an acceptable means for air purification have been documented by agencies such as the New York State and New York City Departments of Health, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

ASHRAE also recently created a formal technical committee to promote and assist in the use of UVC in HVAC systems (TC 2.9 UV for Air & Surfaces). In addition, two Standards Projects Committees (SPC 185.1 and SPC 185.2) have been formed and are in the process of establishing standards for the application of UV in HVAC systems.

Driving these trends is an increased level of attention from end users regarding indoor air quality (IAQ) and its impacts on home and building occupants. There is also an increasing recognition of UVC as viable technology for energy savings, cost avoidance, and improving IAQ. Based on energy efficiency and maintenance savings alone, many UVC installations have return on investment of less than 1 year, according to Ultra Violet Devices, Inc., a manufacturer of UV and molecular filtration products.