Sanuvox Ultraviolet Air Purification Systems Tested by the EPA and National Homeland Security Research Center Show >99.97% Destruction on Bio-Warfare Agents

Tested by the EPA & NHSRC (National Homeland Security Research Center) the Sanuvox UV Bio-Wall Air Purifier showed a 93% kill rate on one pass for B. atrophaeus (spore), 99% on one pass for MS2 (bacterial virus) and >99.97% on one pass for S. marcescens (bacteria).

Montreal, Canada (PRWEB) May 24, 2007 -- The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) & The National Homeland Security Research Center (NHSRC) released their findings on "Biological Inactivation Efficiency by HVAC In-Duct Ultraviolet Light Systems". Although the study was to validate technologies and methods for addressing risks posed by chemical, biological, and radiological terrorist attacks, the results also show how effective air purifiers using ultraviolet light can be for destroying thousands of other airborne biological contaminants.

The proprietary Sanuvox UV Bio-Wall 50" installed parallel in the duct with the Ultraviolet Lamps mounted to Aluminum Parabolic Reflectors achieved a 93% kill rate on one pass for B. atrophaeus (spore), 99% on one pass for MS2 (bacterial virus) and >99.97% on one pass for S. marcescens (bacteria).

The EPA explains "The Sanuvox Technologies Inc. UV Bio-Wall 50" was tested using a test plan approved by EPA Test/QA Plan for Biological Inactivation Efficiency by HVAC In-Duct Ultraviolet Light Air Cleaners. The tests were conducted using three organisms: one bacterial spore Bacillus atrophaeus, one bacteria, Serratia marcescens and one bacterial virus (MS2). These organisms were selected because their sizes, shapes and susceptibility to UV inactivation make them reasonable surrogates for biological warfare agents (BWAs). Generally, vegetative bacteria are readily killed and bacterial spores are more difficult."

Sanuvox Technologies was the only manufacturer that contributed a single UV system and the only manufacturer that did not require any ventilation duct modification and/or reduction in air-flow to achieve >90% destruction on all three cross-sections of biological contaminants.

To read the Report in its entirety visit http://www.epa.gov/nhsrc/pubs/erUVSanuvox062606.pdf

In order for a UV System to be effective in destroying biological contaminants, the ultraviolet air purifier must be strategically oriented to maximize exposure time and use reflection to direct the UV intensity. When Ultraviolet Lamps (which can be as long as 60") are installed parallel with the airflow, the biological contaminants traveling through the air-stream are subjected to much longer 'Dwell Time' with the UVC energy which translates to more UV Energy delivered to the contaminants resulting in a much higher kill.

Although UVC energy is very effective in destroying biological contaminants, the intensity of the UVC Light decreases very quickly the farther away from the Lamp you move. At 2" away from the surface of the Lamp, the UV efficiency drops 80% and the decline is exponential. To combat the decrease in intensity, it is imperative that the contaminants traveling more than a few inches away from the Lamp surface make up for the loss in UV intensity by spending more time in contact with the UV Lamp. A parallel orientation accomplishes this task.

Where parallel installations of UV Lamps increases exposure time, Aluminum Parabolic Reflectors increase UV efficiency. The same way a flashlight or car's headlight uses a reflector, UV light is no different; reflection is needed to direct the UV energy to where it is needed most.

Parallel Lamp orientation and Aluminum Parabolic Reflectors allow more UV energy to be delivered to the moving air-stream over a longer period of time can guarantee a higher Kill Rate.

Sanuvox Ultraviolet Air Purifiers have been tested and used in thousands of applications, from residential systems to commercial / industrial & military Indoor Air Quality applications. Sanuvox UV systems produce two distinct UV wavelengths for two very different tasks. UV-C (254nm) light attacks the DNA of a cell. This wavelength's primary uses are for the destruction of viruses, bacteria, mold and other microorganisms that pass through the UV system. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends this method for destroying viruses such as tuberculosis. UV-V (187nm) is primarily used for oxidization; this is the portion of the Lamp that will destroy chemicals and odors such as cigarette smoke, VOCs, diesel fumes, odors and formaldehyde.

By outfitting our homes and buildings with UV systems we can control the spread of a possible pandemic. We can control or limit the spread of a bio-terror agent throughout the HVAC system and we can treat the air destroying everyday contaminants that continually circulate throughout the HVAC system.

About Sanuvox Technologies:
Sanuvox Technologies, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of multi U.S. patented Ultraviolet Air Purifiers and UV Coil Cleaners. Sanuvox manufactures UV Air Purifiers for residential, commercial, industrial & military applications. The Sanuvox line consists of germicidal, UV-C & UV-V purifiers, HEPA / Filter / UV-C / UV-V units as well as germicidal Coil Cleaners. Sanuvox is committed to offering a full line of engineered Air Purifiers and Coil Cleaners to solve the problems associated with IAQ.

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