How to Purify Air with Ultraviolet Light

The ongoing global Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the need to improve the cleanliness and hygiene in our working environments. Cork Hygiene’s new range of air purifiers uses proven UV (UltraViolet) Sterilisation Technology to kill bacteria and help prevent the spread of viruses.

What is Ultraviolet Light?

Ultraviolet (UV) light is part of the light spectrum and is not visible to the human eye. UV light is a form of radiation that is given off by many objects including light bulbs and natural fires. UV light has shorter wavelengths (ranging from 100 nm to 400 nm) than visible light, and whilst invisible to the human eye, some insects can see them. There are many types of UV light, but we typically talk about UV-A, UV-B, and UV-C.

Wait – isn’t Ultraviolet light dangerous?

The UV light present in sunlight can be harmful to us, and prolonged exposure can cause ‘sunburn’ or even skin cancer. The sun’s rays contain UV-A, UV-B, and UV-C light. UV-C has a shorter wavelength and is almost completely absorbed by the ozone layer and the Earth’s atmosphere. Medium-wave UV-B is also mostly absorbed by the ozone layer and is also known to play a major role in plant development. UV-A is a long-wave form of light that is not absorbed by the ozone layer and is the most damaging to our health. Many sunscreen products will absorb and/or block UV-A and in some cases UV-B light.

However, UV-B light is actually responsible for causing the human body to produce vitamin D, which is essential for life. Vitamin D also promotes the production of serotonin which is believed to provide sensations of happiness in humans, so limited exposure to sunlight can have health and mood benefits. 

How does UV-C light kill viruses?

Ultraviolet light has been used to disinfect water, hard surfaces, and the air for many years now. A recent study at Columbia University Irving Medical Centre suggests that Ultraviolet C (UV-C) light when used at a wavelength which is safe for humans, can kill more than 99.9% of coronaviruses that are found present in airborne droplets.

UV-C lighting installed in an air filtration system damages or disrupts the DNA of bacteria or inactive microorganisms such as viruses, leaving them unable to replicate or grow. Germicidal UV-C lights disinfect the air as it passes through the filter, ensuring that the air is completely clean and sanitised. This hygiene technology is a non-chemical approach to disinfection, nothing is added which makes this process simple.

UV-C Air Purifiers

Air purifiers that incorporate UV-C lamps offer a greater degree of purification and disinfection than standard models that only use filters to catch common air pollutants such as dust and mould.

Buy a UV-C Air Purifier

At Cork Hygiene we offer a range of air purifiers; these are designed to use short-wave ultraviolet light (UV-C light) to inactivate airborne pathogens and microorganisms like mould, bacteria, and viruses.

For smaller rooms up to 52m3, there is the MAXVAC Medi 5 Air Purifier and for larger areas and rooms from 40m3 to 160m3, we recommend the MAXVAC Medi 8 Air Purifier. These powerful air cleaners are designed to run 24/7 to purify the air and help create a healthy living environment when used to supplement essential sanitising and disinfecting duties.

Both air purifiers in this range are designed with air purification and sterilisation in mind. The MAXVAC Medi machines are well proven high-performance air cleaners that use advanced HEPA filtration to remove 99.995% of airborne dust and also incorporate proven Ultraviolet Sterilisation Technology to kill, or inactivate, bacteria by disrupting their DNA, helping to help prevent the spread of infectious diseases and viruses.

The air purifiers are developed for use in public spaces such as hospitals, care homes, pharmacies, schools, colleges, clinics, laboratories, offices, or any indoor area where there could be unpleasant airborne microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, parasites, fungi, dust mites and spores.

These units are entirely safe for use in occupied areas as all UV-C rays are completely concealed.

The smaller Medi 5 air purifier is ideal for:

• Home
• Offices
• Shops
• Gyms
• Canteens
• Printings
• Restaurants
• Production Facilities
• Doctors Surgeries
• Dentists
• Vets

The Medi 8 air purifier is a high-performance air cleaner designed for use in:

• Schools
• Offices
• Hospitals
• Shops
• Gyms
• Canteens
• Restaurants
• Clinics
• Production Facilities
• Doctors Surgeries
• Dentists
• Vets
• Spas

Advantages of the MEDI 8:

• ‍Purifies and disinfects the air up to 99.999%
• Destroys bacteria and virus DNA
• Intelligent filter monitoring
• Remote Control
• Reduces spread of bacteria & viruses
• Helps prevent spread of germs
• Positive effect on your health
• Inhalation allergies can disappear
• 100% Safe use of UV-C as ISO 15858
• Compact high performance mobile units
• Filters are tested to: ISO 16890 -1:2016 / EN1822-1:2019

What can the MEDI 8 filter out of the air?

• Bacteria and viruses
• Dust mite
• Mould spores
• Pollen
• Dust and fine dust
• Smoke and other odours

We give free advice on all aspects of product use and suitability, as well as offering staff training for customers in the correct and safe use of products supplied.

Visit our health and safety information section for data sheets and risk assessments.