Is UV Light a New Normal For Domestic Architecture?

 

Solar energy has existed as long as the sun for over 5 billion years, and it has been an essential element for the survival of various inhabitants, including animals, birds, and even microorganisms. From converting sunlight into heat for keeping themselves warm in winters to igniting a fire for cooking, people have been using solar energy for thousands of years in a variety of ways for domestic purposes. Apart from that, Solar radiation is the main source of Ultraviolet rays, is also a known solution for killing the vast majority of harmful microorganisms.

The application of ultraviolet light for sanitation purposes has been recognized for over a hundred years. The Germicidal properties of UV rays were first discovered in 1877. Later in 1903, Niels Ryberg Finsen received a Nobel Prize for his use of Ultraviolet light to combat tuberculosis. Making its way upwards in the 1930s, the first UV light tubular lamp was discovered, contributing to the discovery of truly significant research of UV disinfection in the 1950s. By the 1960s, the trend of using UV light for disinfection spiked up as it was being widely used in commercial applications and was slowly making its way into residential markets.

Can UV light help mitigate the risk of Coronavirus transmission?

The current Coronavirus pandemic has again made the demand for UV light sanitizing devices spike up in 2020. The technology has shifted from being a healthcare addition to a domestic essential. Just like smoke alarms and fire suppressors have made their way in domestic architecture, UV light is also set to position itself in the list of “necessities in common places”.

Various global bodies have provided evidence that the coronavirus is airborne and that the suspension of respiratory droplets can remain in the air for multiple hours. Given the fact that airborne particles are most contagious, this increases the risk of rapid transmission of infectious coronavirus. Respiratory droplets emitted in the air by an infected person’s coughing, sneezing, speaking and even breathing can potentially infect another person, in close quarters when inhaling the same air. 6 feet distance and use of sanitizers can only help to contain the risk of spread through the surface. To mitigate the risk of the surface as well as airborne transmission of coronavirus, UV light sanitization has proven itself to be a reliable solution for enclosed indoor spaces.

But with that, a few major questions arise – whether using UV light sanitization is practical for domestic purposes? Will it be safe and resilient for residential architecture? What about the aggressive nature of UV radiation that could result in mutation and trigger diseases? To answer all these questions, it is necessary to understand the different types and respective wavelengths of UV rays.

Let’s Understand Ultraviolet Light

Although UV rays make up only a small proportion of sun rays, they reach the surface of the earth in varying amounts. UV irradiation consists of a wavelength of 100 to 400 nanometre light lying just beyond the violet portion of the visible light spectrum, but invisible to the human eye.

• UV-A is 315 - 400 nanometres, also known as Soft UV.

• UV-B is 280 - 315 nanometres, responsible for producing vitamin D in human skin.

• UV-C regions are 200 - 280 nanometres and are considered to be the most effective and only one capable of rendering the nucleic acid that makes up DNA and RNA of micro-organism inactive. 

The ozone layer eliminates the UV region that is below the 300-nanometre range i.e. UVC and UVB. A recent study by researchers at the Columbia University Irving Medical Center showed that more than 99.9% of seasonal coronaviruses present in airborne droplets were killed when exposed to a UV-C region wavelength of ultraviolet light. UV-C light has a maximum germicidal effect. If used the right way, UV-C can make indoor spaces much safer and convenient for domestic use.

 

 UV Light’s Time to Shine!

Ultraviolet light safely disinfects pathogens, disrupts the DNA and RNA of microorganisms such as coronavirus, and disintegrates the pathogen’s reproductive ability. Unlike UVA and UVB light, it has bactericidal capabilities. It prevents aerosol transmission through breath, cough, talk, and touching faces.  UV light application can help create a safe ambient environment by eliminating not only the coronavirus pathogens, but also infectious agents of other diseases such as tuberculosis, measles, and chickenpox that are recognized to be transmissible through the airborne route. 

3 things that can affect the decision of putting UVC in indoor domestic architecture for harnessing the best of it are:

1. The dosage of the UV light.

2. The amount of ground it can cover and its architectural finish in indoor spaces.

3. The installation to avoid human exposure to UV light sanitization.

UV dose for sanitization is determined by the intensity of light range and the exposure. Sanitization capabilities of UV open up many possibilities for its applications such as incorporated in heating ventilation systems, air conditioners, and in between the airflow vents in indoor infrastructure to disinfect. HVAC systems can also be retrofitted with UV light sources to disinfect the air traveling through ductwork. Putting this change can have an incredible impact on the safety of the occupants without having any hazardous effect as the measure is fitted high enough on the ceiling to prevent any human exposure. UV light is a better measure than the chemical disinfector as it not only disinfects the surface space but also limits the aerosol transmission of an infectious pathogen.

Given the outbreak of the COVID-19 disease caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, consumers have purchased an ample number of UV light sanitizing devices to disinfect surfaces and air in their homes or similar spaces. This upward trend in the demand for UV light has shown how the technology has evolved from being a healthcare requirement to a necessary domestic commodity. It’s clear that when installed properly and used at a correct spectrum, UV light is proven to be the best preventive method that can make the domestic indoors healthier.

UV light for air conditioners – Magneto Central Air Cleaner – for killing airborne pathogens

Developed by Magneto CleanTech, Magneto Central Air Cleaner’s UV light for air conditioner has a kill ratio of 90% of microorganisms down to 0.1 microns in size. The UV C light sanitizer is recommended by international bodies such as  ASHRAE in controlling the spread of COVID-19. 

The UV light for HVAC, by Magneto Central Air Cleaner, has a high filtration efficiency because it works on the trap and kills the process co-powered with UV. To prevent secondary pathogen pollution in the air, it uses a 3-stage trapping process. This involves impingement, polarization, and agglomeration to remove PM 1.0, PM 2.5, bacteria, allergens, VOCs, and other pollutants from the indoor area. The UV C light sanitizer provides uniform air purification to every corner of the space. It has a very high filtration efficiency of ISO 16890 tested ePM 1.0 90%.

How can Magneto Central Air Cleaner UV light sanitizer by Magneto CleanTech help?

The Magento Central Air Cleaner UV light for air conditioners kills down to 99% of microorganisms. It captures 90% of bacterial and particulate contaminants up to 0.3 microns. The UV light for HVAC is retrofitted in air conditioners and air ventilation vents within minutes. 

Developed by Magento CleanTech, the UV C light sanitizer is in compliance with recommendations by global bodies such as the Center for Disease Control, the National Academy of Sciences (USA), and EUROVENT. 

If you are looking for a reliable and cost-effective UV light air sanitizer, Magneto Central Air Cleaner is the best choice.