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UV-C systems against COVID19

Ultraviolet C (UV-C) light has been identified as one of the most important barriers to preventing SARS-CoV-2 airborne infections. Its germicidal action has been shown to be effective, both on surfaces and in the air, by deteriorating the virus’s RNA and preventing its replication within our cells.

 

The water purification sector has been working with this type of device for some time with very satisfactory and proven results. The list of pathogens that we can deactivate with UV-C is wide, common diseases such as the flu could be alleviated, their study has been extensively carried out and documented. You just have to determine the dose that we must affect the target pathogen and design an efficient system to deactivate it.

Important parameters

But not all UV-C lamps are the same or suitable for this. The most important parameters when selecting a suitable UV-C lamp are the wavelengths at which it works, its irradiance, its radiant flux and its service life.

 

According to studies carried out by Keyter, the specification of the working wavelengths will determine if it is really a germicidal lamp, with only the 254 nm wavelength being really germicidal, other wavelengths, even being within the UV spectrum- C, they are not and can even cause us damage by generating ozone as a product of UV-C emission. In this case we would find lamps working at 185 nm, the point where ozone is generated, a prohibited substance in the presence of people and which, due to its strongly oxidative nature, can create very serious lung problems that, if necessary, can lead to emphysema or permanent damage.

Fig.1: Irradiance Profile (µW/cm²), in emission plane, of a set of 3 UV-C 9W lamps.

Irradiance determines the incident power of the lamp per unit area, conclusive in evaluating the effects of UV-C on pathogens. It is measured in µW / cm² and together with the Keitz Equation, or any other validated method, it allows us to determine the radiant flux of the lamp in Watts. This value is really important and consumers should learn to read it, since it is often indicated that UV-C systems of certain Watts are available, when what is actually declared is the electrical power consumed by the lamps. Only 25-30% of the power consumed by a UV-C lamp is emitted as such, the rest is not germicidal radiation. A dangerous game is to confuse these powers as they give users false expectations.

Fig.2: Irradiance Profile (µW/cm²), 8cm from the emission plane, of a set of 3 UV-C 9W lamps.

 
As the last selection parameter, we must take into account the life of the lamp, since when it passes 60% of it, the drop in its emission capacity is very marked, finding very inefficient or null systems at the level of inactivation of pathogens. It is essential to know this turning point and how its effectiveness evolves over time.

Air treatment and purification with AirSanit

The R&D department of Keyter concluded in its studies and tests for the design of its Air Treatment and Purification Unit, AirSanit, that the mere fact of having a UV-C system is not a guarantee of having a A real barrier against SARS-CoV-2 and many other airborne pathogens as indicated above, but must be chosen under the correct criteria, which is why you have selected for your equipment those that really obtained the desired results.

 

Likewise, it emphasizes the importance of its correct maintenance, which must always be carried out by specialized personnel and properly equipped with PPE since UV-C radiation, if exposure is sufficient, can cause eye damage, even blindness, as well as severe skin damage. It is not an appliance to be handled by anyone, much less to make it work, depending on the environment, without specialized supervision and barriers that prevent its manipulation by people who are unaware of its risks.

 

The Keyter Air Treatment and Purification Unit, AirSanit, complies with the exposed standards, is ozone-free, declares the irradiated power and its useful life is 16000 hours, fulfilling all the criteria previously indicated and positioning itself as one of the more complete and adapted solutions on the market.

Fig.3: AirSanit, air treatment and purification.

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