What the heck is UVC anyway?

What the heck is UVC anyway?

The other day I saw someone “sterilizing” a surface at a manufacturing plant with a lamp. When I asked what it was I was told it was a UVC lamp. I have been hearing about UVC being used to kill bacteria in air conditioning systems, but had no idea how this worked. I knew UV stands for ultraviolet but the C?

To understand UVC I started finding out what UV was all about…

What is Ultraviolet? Ultraviolet (UV) light is one form of electromagnetic energy produced naturally by the sun. UV is a spectrum of light just below the visible light and it is split into four distinct spectral areas – Vacuum UV or UVV (100 to 200 nm), UVC (200 to 280 nm), UVB (280 to 315 nm) and UVA (315 to 400 nm).

What is Ultraviolet C? The entire UV spectrum can kill or inactivate many microorganism species, preventing them from replicating. UVC energy at 253.7 nanometers provides the most germicidal effect. The application of UVC energy to inactivate microorganisms is also known as Germicidal Irradiation or UVGI.

UVC exposure inactivates microbial organisms such as bacteria and virusesby altering the structure and the molecular bonds of their DNA(Deoxyribonucleic acid). DNA is a “blue print” these organisms use to develop, function and reproduce. By destroying the organism’s ability to reproduce, it becomes harmless since it cannot colonize. After UVC exposure, the organism dies off leaving no offspring, and the population of the microorganism diminishes rapidly.

Ultraviolet germicidal lamps provide a much more powerful and concentrated effect of ultraviolet energy than can be found naturally. Germicidal UV provides a highly effective method of destroying microorganisms.

But what about Ozone? UVV or Vacuum UV light refers to another wavelength in the ultraviolet spectrum. Some UVC devices also produce light in this wavelength. The manufacturers of these devices promote UVV as an added tool for IAQ control, saying that UVV attacks microorganisms, chemicals, and odors. While this may be true, it is important to understand that UVV (unlike UVC) will also “attack” occupants in treated spaces by adversely affecting human lungs!

The reason for this is that the shorter (185 nanometers) wavelength of UVV light actually generates ozone. This occurs because UVV light reacts with oxygen to break it into atomic oxygen, a highly unstable atom that combines with oxygen to form O3 (ozone). The American Lung Association states that “exposure to ozone causes a variety of adverse health effects, even at levels below the current standard.” (http://www.lung.org/our-initiatives/healthy-air/outdoor/air-pollution/ozone.html) And the Environmental Protection Agency (E.P.A.) says: “In order for ozone to be effective as a germicide, it must be present in a concentration far greater than that which can be safely tolerated by man and animals.” (https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/ozone-generators-are-sold-air-cleaners#generators-effective). The longer (253.7 nanometers) wavelength of UVC light, by contrast, provides highly effective air and surface disinfection without producing any harmful ozone.

The materials and methods of UVC lamp construction determine whether a given UVC device will produce both UVC and UVV light or only the safer UVC wavelength.

I then read up on the leader in this technology: Steril-Aire

Steril-Aire’s UVC devices do not produce any UVV.

It’s not just dirt – it’s biological. What is HVAC biofilm? 

Some people call it dirt. Some call it mud, slime or sludge. This gluey matrix growing on heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) evaporator coils, drain pans and ducts is, in fact, biofilm. Biofilm is an active, complex microbial matrix of mold and bacteria that adheres to the fins of the coil and protects the organisms from biocides.

The biofilms themselves give off prod­ucts of metabolism known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which may range in effects from watery eyes and head­aches, to more severe allergy and asthma responses.

Numerous studies have demonstrated that the HVAC system is a viable amplifier, reservoir and disseminator of pathogenic and opportunistic bacteria, viruses and mold. The list below identifies some of the many microorganisms that have been isolated from evaporator coils, drain pans, ducts, final filters and diffusers.

No matter how good the coil cleaner, sprayer or pressure washer used, the effectiveness of these methods reaches about 1 inch into the coil and the organic and biologically active matter gets packed deeper into the coil fins.

Installed on air effluent side of the condensate cooling coils and the drain pan, Steril-Aire UVC energy destroys surface biofilm and airborne microorganisms before they circulate throughout the HVAC system.

What are the most common biological contaminants found in air handling systems? Numerous studies have demonstrated that the HVAC system is a viable reservoir of pathogenic and opportunistic bacteria and mold. Below is a partial list of microorganisms that have been found on evaporator coils, drain pans and ducts:

How Does UVC for HVAC^® Work? The C wavelength of the UV spectrum targets the DNA of microorganisms, destroying their cells and making replication impossible. Directed at a cooling coil or drain pan, UVC energy destroys surface biofilm, a gluey matrix of microorganisms (bacteria, fungi, debris, et al.) that grows in the presence of moisture. Biofilm is prevalent in HVAC systems and leads to a host of indoor air quality (IAQ) and HVAC operational problems that are sometimes mistakenly attributed solely to mold. UVC also destroys airborne viruses and bacteria that circulate through an HVAC system.

By applying the power of UVC at the source of contamination – the HVAC evaporator coils and drain pan – Steril-Aire UVC destroys the reservoir of microorganisms. Without the ability to reproduce, microorganisms become inactive and harmless. The recirculating air in HVAC systems creates redundancy in exposing microorganisms to UVC, ensuring multiple passes so the light energy is effective against large quantities of airborne microorganisms. Steril-Aire UVC delivers the highest UVC output, driving HVAC system efficiency while improving indoor air quality.

Is UVC lamp output important? Output is critical because it determines the effectiveness of the designed solution. To effectively clean coils and eliminate biofilm, a UVC device should provide a minimum of 1,225 µW/cm² of energy striking any point on the coil face of the HVAC on day one and a minimum of 750 µW/cm² of energy striking any point on the coil face on day 365.

How do you know when to change the UVC Emitters?
For large or critical applications, change out should be performed after about 9,000 hours or 12 months.

Does it produce ozone?
No, Steril-Aire devices do not produce ozone or other secondary contaminants.

How do you dispose of the used UVC Emitters?
Dispose of them as you would any fluorescent tubes, in compliance with your country, local or state codes.

What is the warranty?
The UVC Emitters are warranted for 1 year (9,000 hours).

Can UVC for HVAC contribute to LEED points?The use of Steril-Aire UVC may contribute to LEED points across multiple project types in one or more of the following areas: Energy and Atmosphere, Water Efficiency, Indoor Environmental Quality, Innovation & Design Process and Regional Priorities.

Additional Questions? Check out their INFO CENTER.