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Evaluating different types of air disinfection: To improve the health of your buildings 

Proper ventilation, disinfection, and air purification are important for reducing the spread of the novel Coronavirus. As workplaces have started re-opening, the need for best practices to clean, sanitize and disinfect surfaces to prevent the spread of SARS CoV-2 is only growing further. 

Now you must be wondering why we are talking about safer air disinfection strategies?

The answer is, there are three types of air disinfection strategies – ventilation, fumigation, and central air purification using UVC light sanitizer, UV light sterilizer, or UV germicidal lamps. If chemicals are used in spaces where people work, there are chances of developing illnesses like asthma. It could also lead to skin damage. 

To prevent the long-standing harmful effects of chemicals used for air disinfection, let’s explore the different common ways to improve the health of your buildings with their pros and cons. 

#1. Increased outdoor ventilation – The safest indoor spaces are those with outside air constantly replacing the stale air inside. 

In offices and commercial buildings, outside air is pumped inside via heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems (HVAC) or through open doors and windows. 

In simpler words, the fresher the air inside a building, it can dilute any contaminant inside, be it viruses or anything else, thereby reducing the exposure of anyone inside. 

Now while this sounds simple in theory, here are some drawbacks of sorely relying on outdoor ventilation to prevent the spread of Covid-19. 

• Many buildings do not meet the recommended ventilation rates. 
• Several commercial buildings don’t have operable windows. 
• Also, with Coronavirus being airborne, it is unclear as to how much ventilation would be needed to reduce the infection rates to an acceptable level.

#2. Fumigation – The fumigation approach has been in use for several decades now, for air disinfection. 

Several airborne disinfection chemicals, called fumigants (such as hydrogen peroxide, ozone, and chlorine dioxide) have proven antimicrobial activity. Hydrogen peroxide, in the form of fine dry mist or thermally generated vapor, is used for modern fumigation as it offers virucidal activity because of its powerful oxidizing activity. It is assumed that this activity can damage microbial proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids of bacterial pathogens and fungi. 

The limitations of the fumigation approach for air disinfection include: 

• Fumigation requires 30-90 minute exposure to be effective and an additional time for aeration to remove excess fumigants. 
• In environments with high-level soft furnishings, the fumigation approach is particularly concerning as the furnishings may absorb the fumigants. 
• Hydrogen peroxide (the most used fumigant) is toxic by inhalation, ingestion, and by skin or eye contact. This means an adequate removal of fumigant post-treatment is crucial to avoid adverse health effects.

#3. Central Air Purification – One of the most effective ways to disinfect the air in workplaces, indoor spaces, and commercial buildings is by central air purification using Germicidal Ultraviolet (UVGI) that uses ultraviolet light in the UV-C wavelength range of 200-280nm to inactivate or kill microorganisms. 

This air purification technology is used most widely to combat the spread of airborne Coronavirus as the UV-C radiations rupture the DNA of microorganisms, fungi, viruses, and bacteria, thereby preventing them from reproducing. 

The UVC light sanitizer, UV light sterilizer, and UV germicidal lamps are used for room contamination, ventilation/coiling treatment, and in-room air disinfection. 

Magneto Central Air Cleaner, co-powered with UV-C light sanitization technology is used for enhanced infection control as it is capable of removing PM 1.0, PM 2.5, bacteria, viruses, pollutants, and VOCs from the entire area. 

UV-C light sanitization stands out as the safest air disinfection method 

Recommended by WHO, CDC, and ISO 16890, Magneto Central Air Cleaner co-powered with UVGI is a widely used UV light sterilizer and UV-C light sanitizer. It is a cost-effective air disinfection solution used as a commercial UV light sanitizer, widely used in buildings due to its scalability.