Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation
Illustrated Guide to Ventilation (BG 2/2009), compiled by Kevin Pennycook and published by BSRIA in 2009, states:
‘Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) can be used to neutralise micro-organisms as they are sensitive to the effects of invisible light at certain wavelengths (the DNA structures of the micro-organisms are damaged and are not able to replicate). Ultraviolet irradiation has been used in hospital applications based on the following options:
- Upper room UVGI where a UV device is located on an upper wall surface and makes use of convection currents to pass the airborne pathogens in front of the UV field.
- Portable forced air re-circulation equipment utilising both UVGI and HEPA filtration to trap and kill pathogens by introducing an air current to provide room air mixing.
UV technology can be applied to an existing HVAC system.’
--BSRIA
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