Air Pollutant Destruction with UVGI and PCO Air Cleaners and Ozone Generators
Some air cleaners use ultraviolet (UV) light technology intended to
destroy pollutants in indoor air. These air cleaners are called
ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) cleaners and photocatalytic
oxidation (PCO) cleaners. Ozone generators that are sold as air
cleaners intentionally produce ozone gas, a lung irritant, to destroy
pollutants.
- UVGI cleaners use ultraviolet
radiation from UV lamps that may destroy biological pollutants such as
viruses, bacteria, allergens, and molds that are airborne or growing on
HVAC surfaces (e.g., found on cooling coils, drain pans, or ductwork).
If used, they should be applied with, but not as a replacement for,
filtration systems.
- PCO cleaners use a UV lamp along
with a substance, called a catalyst, that reacts with the light. They
are intended to destroy gaseous pollutants by converting them into
harmless products, but are not designed to remove particulate
pollutants.
- Ozone generators use UV light
or an electrical discharge to intentionally produce ozone. Ozone is a
lung irritant that can cause adverse health effects. At concentrations
that do not exceed public health standards, ozone has little effect in
removing most indoor air contaminants. Thus, ozone generators are not
always safe and effective in controlling indoor air pollutants.
Consumers should instead use methods proven to be both safe and effective to reduce pollutant concentrations, which include eliminating or controlling pollutant sources and increasing outdoor air ventilation.
Visit www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/ozonegen.html for more information on ozone generators sold as air cleaners.
