We’ve had a lot of our Atlanta neighbors call us and ask about the SARS-CoV-2 virus and the COVID-19 disease it causes. They want to know how to protect their family. We often recommend UV light as a way to disinfect their air. UV light has been used to disinfect an area since the 1930s. It’s been recognized as a vital source of sterilization by The American Heart Association (located here in Atlanta), ASHRAE, the EPA and the CDC. In fact, it is the only air disinfection technology that is supported by ASHRAE as being effective.
How effective is UV specifically in deactivating SARS-CoV-2?
As noted above, ASHRAE acknowledges UV’s ability to destroy viruses, bacteria and fungi. In the case of the coronavirus, SARS-CoV that caused the SARS outbreak in 2003, it was shown by 2004 that the virus was highly susceptible to germicidal UV light and kill-rate UV dose calculations were made. New data now exists in 2020 that supports the assumption that the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 that causes COVID-19 is very sensitive to UV rays. In fact, UVC light can be expected to deactivate coronaviruses in as little as two seconds of exposure.
Even more effective: A systematic approach
Building a comprehensive IAQ system for HVACs offers many opportunities to use UV as well as other air disinfection technologies for even more effective reduction of not only airborne bacteria and viruses but all types of indoor air pollution, including allergens, VOCs and odors. If you’re interested in making sure your air is clear of COVID, call us at (770) 464-5745.