UV light air purifiers are those purifiers that use short-wave ultraviolet light or UV-C light so as to disable the microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, mold, and fungi, along with pathogens that are airborne.

This technology is similar to UVGI air purifiers or UV Germicidal Irradiation as the primary motive is to eliminate pollutants that infect the indoor environment.

However, UV light Air purifiers use technology different from conventional air purifiers that use UV radiation indirectly against air contamination.

They are available as stand-alone devices or devices installed in the systems already fitted into commercial or residential HVAC units in the market. Proper air filtration is effective against the microbes already present in the HVAC units. Here, the air is passed through the device where it travels through UV lamps.

These UV lamps are responsible for killing the microorganisms, thereby disinfecting the air by germicidal irradiation. In the process, ozone may be produced that might affect the health of the individuals. In the case of stand-alone air purifiers, supplementary systems are required to produce effective results.

These devices are inserted in more enormous, High-efficiency Particulate Arrestance (HEPA) air filtration systems for that to happen. But as per Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), stand-alone air purifier devices are not as effective as the pre-installed versions because these lack the ability to trap abolish particles altogether. In another study, it was found that when germicidal UV lamps were placed on the walls of healthcare dwellings, they performed disinfection without any side effects of overexposure.

Since time immemorial, UV light has been extensively used to disinfect hospitals, chemical laboratories, meatpacking industries, etc. It was also used to treat diseases like tuberculosis and disinfection of water bodies in France in 1908. UV light has a wavelength between 100 to 400 nanometers, and photons transmitted through it have high energy levels.

UV light is divided into three categories -

1) UV-A having a wavelength between 315 to 400 nanometers
2) UV-B having a wavelength between 280 to 315 nanometers
3) UV-C having a wavelength between 100 to 280 nanometers

Out of all these, UV-C has photons that vibrate at a faster rate and produces more energy, followed by UV-B and then UV-A.

Because of the ability of UV to sterilize any material that falls under it, it has been used for disinfection purposes for a very long time for residential and commercial purposes. But on the other hand, prolonged exposure to UV light can cause skin damage and even cause temporary eye loss.

UV Air cleaners clean all the pollutants that get accumulated indoors, causing harm to the health of the individuals. These purifiers produce UV light that kills microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, molds, and fungi. These collect all the toxicity produced in the environment and maintains clean and fresh air to breathe.

UV-C light in UV light air purifiers performs the disinfection process using the extra energy that has a range greater than visible light. This mechanism changes the molecule that is absorbed by it, and it affects the DeoxyRibonucleic Acid (DNA), which is sensitive to all these changes.

UV light kills the minute organisms present in the air and attacks their DNA. The example can also explain that when people spend some time on the beaches, then they experience radiation burns or, in simple terms sunburn, the next day. This happens due to the UV light produced by the sun, and the redness on the skin is the inflammatory response indicating the DNA being damaged under the direct UV light.

Excessive UV light can harm the skin causing skin cancer. As bacteria are single-celled organisms, they rely on DNA to survive. If the bacteria's cell gets damaged to a greater extent, it exhibits self-destruction, becoming harmless. This is the main principle of a UV light air purifier.

UV air purifiers implement UV lamps in changing the DNA of microorganisms. This, in turn, kills or disables the organisms, thereby cleaning the air in the process. The color of the light being emitted may be different depending upon the material of the emitter, like phosphor, quartz, and so on. The color may sometimes be blue or colorless, indicating that's it not in the visible range.

In residential places, mercury lamps are widely used that emit UV-C light in the range of 254 nanometers as per Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). These UV air purifiers combine forced air systems and filters like High-efficiency Particulate Arrestance (HEPA) filter systems. This helps UV light to act together with the plan to clean the air. Clean air is forced into the indoors, and ventilation occurs through chambers consisting of bulbs emitting light in the UV-C frequency.

The UV lamp is placed in such a way that it is downstream of the filter in a portable air purifier. Other factors that are responsible for the cleaning process are UV lamps, humidity, and temperature. However, in the case of UV germicidal cleaners, the UV-C light is silent as it produces light invisible to the human eye and its glow depends on the casing that is mounted around it. It is also odorless, and the bulbs used need to be changed every year depending on the model, type, and company

Apart from skin cancer caused by excessive UV light, some other dangers are significant to note. UV-C radiation in the UV air purifiers changes the oxygen present in the air into ozone. This occurs because when photolysis occurs, light triggers the oxygen to break down into two separate atoms and attract other oxygen atom to form ozone. This is due to the uncoated UV-C lamps, and to overcome this, companies are using special coatings on lamps.

UV air purifiers disable or kill microorganisms and reduce allergens and dust mites that are commonly found indoors. This functionality depends on various components like -

1) The amount of light required
2) The duration of the pollutant being exposed to light
3) Whether the UV light has come across the pollutants
4) The material of the light bulb emitter
5) Whether the colling effect of airflow impedes light

Usually, microbes are resistant to UV radiation, and to deactivate them, a higher range of light or radiation is required. As per Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), more prolonged exposure duration and a higher degree are needed to kill microbes effectively. Regarding other particles like allergens, clouds of dust, smoke, fumes, etc., UV light cannot eliminate these. Also, poisonous gases and minute solid particles are insusceptible to UV light. UV light cannot altogether disable mold particles, and because of this, skin allergies may occur in some individuals. Hence, it is not adequate for patients having asthma and allergies.

UV light is also ineffective to volatile compounds (VOCs) commonly encountered indoors in varnishes and solutions. Due to the enormous frequency of UV light, VOCs vapourises quickly into the air, transforming into poisonous gases.

UV: UV air purifiers use high-frequency UV lamps that kill or disable the microorganisms like mold spores, bacteria, viruses, and fungi. This light alters the DNA of microorganisms that deactivates or destroys them. When UV radiation neutralizes the microbes, these microbes lose their ability to harm humans and become inert to the surroundings.

When this UV light is used in an air purifier, a particular bulb is used that is responsible for this radiation. These bulbs produce UV-C that constitute the germicidal range of wavelengths in the UV spectrum. To protect humans from harmful rays of UV light, the UV light is contained uniquely within the purifier. Thus by this principle, the air is passed through the UV-C that kills pathogens present in the air. This principle is effective by 99.9% and is used widely across the world.

Not UV: Some of the points that bring out the disadvantages in the purifier systems are -

1) The addition of a UV bulb to the air purifier setup costs a lot of money with regards to the initial purchase and maintenance of the system.
2) Care must be taken to ensure that the microbes are exposed for a prolonged duration under the UV-C light and are positioned so that all the microbes are affected by this.
3) As bulbs in the purifier wear out frequently, constant vigilance should be maintained so that the process keeps going on.
4) Air purifiers should be constructed carefully so that insulated wires and plastic materials do not come into contact with UV-C light. This is because high-intensity UV light can damage the plastic material like the plastic bodies of the purifier, releasing toxic gases into the atmosphere. This could lead to airborne contamination.
5) High-efficiency Particulate Arrestance (HEPA) filtration systems are accurate enough to trap 99.97% of particles or particles having a diameter as small as 0.3 microns. This shows the filtration system's effectiveness, and this effect is because of the process called diffusion. HEPA filters trap the tiniest particles by this diffusion, implying that it is more effective and advantageous than UV light air purifiers.

UV Air Purifier: 
These air purifiers use UV-C lamps to disinfect the air polluted by airborne viruses, bacteria, mold spores, fungi, allergens and dust mites. These are installed as stand-alone devices or are installed into the HVAC in residential or commercial units. UV-C light destroys the microbes that pass through the UV-C light waves. The UV-C produces a light of wavelength 254 nanometers, and when shielded properly is completely safe to use in occupied spaces. Unlike HEPA filter units, UV-C destroys airborne pathogens while HEPA filtered units trap the pathogens leaving the user with the responsibility to dispose of them safely.

HEPA Filters: 
High-efficiency Particulate Arrestance (HEPA) filter systems are constructed of randomly oriented fibers or glass designed to trap particles from bacteria, viruses, pollens, allergens, etc. As per International Organization for Standardization (ISO), HEPA filters must remove 99.95% of contaminants, and as per US Standards, HEPA filters must remove 99.97% of pollutants. The standards for HEPA are based on the Most Penetrating Particle Size (MPPS) of 0.3 microns implying that the filter must eliminate 99.97% of contaminants that are greater than or equal to 0.3 microns. Since HEPA filters trap every particle that comes into contact, it is recommended that Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) be used when replacing the filters in the filter system.

The RxAir 400 is an air purifier that uses high-intensity germicidal ultraviolet light (UV-C) to destroy more than 99% of airborne bacteria and viruses, including the Corona Viruses such as SAR’S, MER’S, plus Influenza’s, MRSA, Strep, TB, Measles and even the Common Cold. In addition, the unit removes The RxAir 400’s efficient destruction of pathogens, low-maintenance operation and small footprint make it the ideal solution for preventing the spread of airborne viruses and bacteria while reducing concentrations of volatile organic compounds and odors in homes, schools, work environments and meeting places.

RxAir 400 uses 48” of shielded Germicidal UV-C light which is not exposed to the user by design.

The fan has 12+ speeds and the noise decibel range is between 53 dB and 77dB

No, the RxAir 400 does not produce any ozone.

The RxAir 400 draws air in through the bottom of the unit into the patented ViraTech cartridge referred to as the “kill chamber.” As the air is drawn into the cartridge, a series of baffles slow the air down long enough for the viruses, bacteria, fungus, mold, pollens, pet dander and other airborne pathogens to dwell in close proximity to the germicidal UV-C lights to destroy 99.9% of pathogens that passed through the chamber. Then the air is pushed through the carbon filter located in the top of the cartridge which removes any odors or VOC’s (volatile organic compounds). Once the air exits the carbon filter the air is pushed to the top of the unit where a screen captures any dust, pollen and/or any pet dander where it will remain until the user rinses the screen off. There is nothing harmful to the user on the dust screen and once rinsed can be reused again and again.

The RxAir 400 patented ViraTech cartridge known as a “kill chamber” is a filter-less design and requires very little maintenance. The unit does have a dust screen very similar to a lint screen in a dryer. In the average dust environment, you will need to remove the air pollutants from the screen every 4 to 6 weeks. It is easy to view the screen through the vents at the top of the unit. Simply remove the grill off and take the screen to a sink and easily rinse. Although the screen maybe dusty there is nothing harmful on the screen because anything harmful was destroyed when it traveled through the kill chamber. There are 3 additional screens included with your purchase should you damage one while rinsing the screen.

The cartridge has a built-in counter that allows the RxAir 400 to run for approximately 9000 hours which is equivalent to 375 days 24/7. The unit power light will change from green to amber and from amber to red to let you know that the cartridge effectiveness is degrading and will automatically shut off when the hours are used. The reason the unit shuts off is because the kill chamber is no longer effective so you would be doing nothing but blowing air. The replacement cartridge is $149 and will run for another 9000 hours. The replacement process takes no longer than 5 minutes to replace and the used cartridge can be shipped back to the manufacturer for disposal in the same box your replacement cartridge came in.

To register your RxAir 400 online and activate your warranty, click here.

1 YEAR LIMITED WARRANTY & Optional EXTENDED 3 YEAR WARRANTY Med Air Solutions warrants this product to be free from defects in workmanship or materials for a period of one-year from the date of purchase. If the product fails any time within one year after purchase, Med Air Solutions will repair or Med Air Solutions, LLC | 3102 West End Ave., Suite 400, Nashville, TN 37203 | 615-887-1414 | medairsolutions.com replace the defective part or unit (at its option). The warranty does not apply to damage resulting from abusive, destructive or unreasonable use. Defects that are the result of normal wear and tear will not be considered manufacturing defects. This warranty does not cover damage resulting from unauthorized attempts to repair or from any use not in accordance with owner’s manual. If the customer purchases the 3 YEAR EXTENDED WARRANTY the terms and conditions for the one-year warranty are valid for 3-years from the date of purchase. Under this warranty, Med Air Solutions nor RxAir SHALL NOT BE LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES RESULTING FROM ANY BREACH OF WARRANTY, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, APPLICABLE TO THIS PRODUCT. Some regions do not allow the limitation or exclusion of incidental or consequential damages so the above limitations may not apply to you.

THIS WARRANTY IS IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, AND THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE HEREBY EXCLUDED BEYOND THE ONE YEAR DURATION OF THIS WARRANTY. Some regions do not allow limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts, so the above limitation may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific legal rights, and you may have other rights, which vary from region to region.

To obtain service, contact Med Air Solutions at 1-615-879-9464. A representative will be available to assist you Monday through Friday, 8:30a.m. – 6:30p.m. EST. In case of questions regarding the provisions of this warranty, the English version will govern.

If you are not satisfied with your purchase, please contact customer service at 1- 615-879-9464. A representative will be available to assist you Monday through Friday, 8:30a.m. – 6:30p.m. EST. You will be responsible for insurance and freight to our factory service center. The RxAir unit must shipped packed in the original box with packaging in order to be returned. We will return the product back to you freight prepaid.