UV Air Purifiers
UV air purifiers work by using UV light to destroy the organic compounds that can pollute the air. Through photochemistry, the changes caused by exposure to light enable air purifiers to break down contaminants such as dander, dust, and hair. Photons in the ultraviolet spectral range are required for this product to work.
UV waves initiate the formation of a cold gas plasma. The plasma is a mixture of excited atoms and molecules, as well as radicals and free electrons. Reactions within this plasma lead to the creation of atomic oxygen. UV purifiers, then, use UV light and its chemical reactions to oxidize or destroy any air impurities.
The Science of UV Air Purifiers
The use of UV is nothing new, and has long been accepted by the medical community. The effectiveness of UV air purifiers relies on the combination of photoplasma and photochemistry to clean the air. Studies have suggested that, when compared to other air purification methods, UV air purifiers can decontaminate anywhere from 100 to 2,000 times faster.
UV technology offers a non-intrusive and quiet way to maintain air quality. The uses of such a system are extensive, and include both home use as well as use in businesses likely to have bad air quality, such as restaurants and bars. When shopping for systems, be sure to read the fine print if you are looking exclusively for UV technology, as opposed to HEPA filters.
