How to make indoor air clean again
Professional air purification is more than filters capturing large and small particles from the air. Air purifiers are able to additionally use other physical tricks to free the air of pathogens and pollutants. One possibility, for example, is light - "light" in the sense of UV light.
UV light disinfects and purifies
Ultraviolet (UV) light is electromagnetic radiation in the optical frequency range. However, UV light cannot really be seen because its wavelength is beyond the spectrum visible to humans. In other words, it is beyond the color with the shortest wavelength:violet. The natural source of UV radiation is known to be the sun. However, UV radiation can also be produced artificially and used for various purposes, for example for
- Disinfection and surface sterilization
- Purification of drinking water
- Air purification
For air purification, UV-C and UV-A are the variants that are used. We explain the difference below.
Use with caution: UV-C light
Natural UV-C radiation is very short-wave and energy-rich. It is largely filtered by the atmosphere and does not reach the earth's surface. This is a good thing, because UV-C radiation is harmful to humans - but also to viruses, bacteria and fungi. This is why UV-C radiation is often used for disinfection and sterilization in medical and laboratory applications.
- UV-C radiation is very dangerous in direct contact! There is a warning against the use in the own four walls.
- UV-C devices for domestic use often work with mercury vapor lamps or ozone, which can reach into the room air.
- UV-C is completely ineffective against fine dust, pollen or spores.
UV-A radiation: Optimal with the right filter technology
Filter technologies that work with UV-A radiation, on the other hand, are not dangerous. Viruses and bacteria are destroyed in this wavelength range. However, simple UV-A lamps, along which the contaminated air are not sufficient for sustainable air purification. UV-A filter technology that uses light from powerful LED modules is therefore highly recommended.
→ These are the benefits of a filter technology with UV-A LEDs:
- LED modules achieve a wavelength of 385 nm, which is optimal for air purification.
- They have a lifetime of at least 50,000 hours.
- The LED light hits a catalyst, preferably made of titanium dioxide solid material, on which oxygen radicals are formed in a chemical reaction (photocatalysis).
- The contaminated air is passed along between the LED light and the catalyst. In the course of photocatalysis, they are thus decontaminated with the help of these oxygen radicals.
- The technology is safe, scientifically proven in global clinical studies. No harmful by-products such as ozone, endotoxins or microparticles are emitted.
