Effectiveness of UVGI Systems against the spread of COVID-19 through

Indoor Air

The world today seems to be in the grasp of a tiny yet deadly Coronavirus aka Covid-19, It has infected
millions and killed hundreds of thousands across the globe. Today, Covid-19 is the centre piece of all news
and discussions everywhere. Never before have all nations across the globe resorted to shut-downs
together for prolonged periods lasting several months.

While months have already passed since the

Covid-19 virus first surfaced as a threat to the
mankind, no specific drugs have been found to
cure it till now. It is becoming clear by the day that
a complete victory over of this dreadful pandemic
will take some more time.

But, the whole world’s population cannot be

locked in houses till such time a cure is available.
Eventually, we all will have to come back to habitats of our work and business and will have to learn to
adapt to, what one can say, co-exist with the virus in the vicinity. Willy-nilly, this is our ‘new normal’!

Is Covid-19 caused by a new virus? How is it different from previously known viruses that
caused Pandemics?

Covid-19 is the respiratory disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, which is a new variant in the
betacoronavirus family (Fisher 2020). Coronaviruses, first discovered in 1960s, are members of the
Coronaviridae group and contain a single-stranded, positive-sense RNA genome surrounded by a corona-
like helical envelope (Ryan 1994).

Structurally speaking, the Covid-19 Virus is not unique. It is very similar to the previously known
coronaviruses such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome
(MERS). However, what makes Covid-19 distinctive is its high secondary infection rate, rapid spread (more
rapid than SARS or MERS), and the fatality rate (2-3%).

It is estimated that the SARS-CoV-2 virus can survive on surfaces for up to 9

days. It majorly transmits by direct contact or contact with fomites and can
also be suspended in air also through droplet spray from coughing or
sneezing, etc. by the affected human. Therefore the transmission process is
the same as that was for earlier related betacoronaviruses SARS, MERS,
and the four known Human coronaviruses – OC43, 229E, NL63, and HKU1.

In the recent pandemic, approximately 100 sequences of the SARS-CoV-2

genome have been published suggesting that these are of two types: Type I
and Type II. The Type I strain came from an unknown location (Zhang 2020) and
Type II came from the Huanan market in China. The genome consists of 29,751 base
p a i r s (NC_045512.2) and is about 80% homologous with SARS viruses (NCBI 2020, Fisher 2020).
Coronaviruses have a size range of 60-140nm, with a mean size of 0.10 microns (Zhu 2020).

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What are the Suitable methods of killing the Covid-19 Virus?

Use of standard disinfectants and standard sanitisation methods, like surface cleaning, hand washing and
standard precautions like contact and isolation precautions are being promoted big time and these all are
effective measures to kill the SARS-CoV-2.

But in addition of the above, the use of Ultraviolet Light as an air purification method provides a much
more comprehensive germ free indoor environment. ASHRAE, the American Society of Heat
Refrigeration and Air-conditioning Engineers, also strongly recommends the use of Ultraviolet
Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI) System to address COVID-19 disease transmission (ASHRAE 2020)1.

The entire ultraviolet (UV) spectrum can kill or inactivate

microorganisms, but UV-C energy (in the wavelengths from
200 to 280 nm) provides the most germicidal effect, with
265 nm being the optimum wavelength. The majority of
modern UVGI lamps create UV-C energy at a nearoptimum
254 nm wavelength.
”

The UVGI Lamps produce UVC rays at 254 nm wavelength

which is most lethal for micro-organisms like bacteria and
viruses. The UVC rays disrupt the reproduction cycle of
germs by attacking their DNA and thereby eliminate them completely and permanently.

Effectiveness of UVGI Lamps on CoronaVirus

Ultraviolet light has been demonstrated to be capable of destroying viruses, bacteria and fungi in hundreds
of laboratory studies (Kowalski 2009). The SARS-CoV-2 virus which is causing the current Covid-19,
specifically has not yet been tested for its ultraviolet susceptibility but in past many
other tests on related and similar coronaviruses, including the SARS, which is also
a coronavirus have been done which conclude that they are highly susceptible to
ultraviolet inactivation.

Results of one such study that had been performed on Coronaviruses under
Ultraviolet light exposure (Jingwen 2020) in shown in Table 1, indicating the kill
rate of the specific species of viruses with UV Doses. The D90 value indicates
the ultraviolet dose for 90% inactivation. Although there is a wide range of
variation in the D90 values, that is 7-241 J/m2, the mean dosage rate comes out
to be 67 J/m2. The results in the table show typical outcome of laboratory studies on ultraviolet
susceptibility. The findings fairly adequately prove the ultraviolet susceptibility of the SARS-CoV-2
(COVID-19) virus.

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Table 2 below lists various types of viruses and vegetative bacteria that are most susceptible to UV
inactivation (source Chapter 16, 2019 Ashrae handbook). The Ashrae handbook further mentions that
viruses are the most susceptible to being killed by UVC rays among a list of types of microbes.

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InviroTech Spectra UVGI Systems: Safest & Most Eco-friendly Solution to Covid-19

InviroTech UVGI Systems zaps airborne viruses, bacteria, fungus and mold with a germicidal-wavelength
band of light and therefore are considered to be a safe solution to eradicate airborne viruses after they've
been breathed, coughed or sneezed into the
air.

Spectra UVGI Systems, complete with all its

innovative fixtures, has earned a reputation of
being a very cost effective and eco-friendly
solution for eradicating airborne viruses.
Spectra can be easily retrofitted into an
existing AHU or Ducting, be it for Offices,
Malls, Hospitals as well as schools, shelters,
airports, airplanes and other transportation
hubs to keep them safe and protected.

InviroTech Spectra UVGI Systems are

designed for equal effectiveness whether they are installed in the AHU or in the. ducts.

AHU installation
Pros :

• Dual benefit of Coil, Drain pan sterilisation as well as Air Purification.

• Keeps air clean.

• Keeps pressure-drop down.

• No maintenance needed from wet side on-coil.

• Heat Transfer improves.

• Slower air velocity means more contact opportunity for air and UV
Light

• Easier maintenance/lamp changeout

Cons:

• Air contact time is less as the UV lights are focused on the coil side
and usually placed within 300 to 600 mm from coil.

• Need to have adequate space and access to install UVGI System

after coil.

• Need UV Lights to be able to withstand coil and damp atmosphere laden with ample condensate from
coil. (However, InviroTech Spectra is duly prepared for this with IP68
lamp fittings).

Duct Installation
Pros :

• More uniform contact between air and UV light.

• Less space consumption.

Cons :

• Maintenance could be tedious for overhead ducts. (However, InviroTech

Spectra are uniquely designed in Access panel fashion for easy
maintenance)

• Higher face velocity of air.

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The Signature Series of InviroTech Spectra UVGI Systems consists of HODS lamps, which is: High Output
Double Skin Lamps. These lamps deliver the highest UVC output in the industry, enhancing HVAC system
efficiency while improving indoor air quality.

Backed by software calculation and optimisation tools

InviroTech Spectra can be customised to suit any site
constraints.

If you wish to protect those in your environment and maintain higher indoor air quality, then why waste time!
Write to info@InviroTech.com and we shall be glad to be of service.

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References :

Kowalski, Wladyslaw & Walsh, Thomas & Petraitis, Vidmantas. (2020). 2020 COVID-19 Coronavirus Ultraviolet Susceptibility. 10.13140/
RG.2.2.22803.22566. ‘

ASHRAE. (2020). ASHRAE Resources Available to Address COVID-19 Concerns. (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-
Conditioning Engineers, Atlanta, GA).

Duan SM, Zhao XS, Wen RF, Huang JJ, Pi GH, Zhang SX, Han J, Bi SL, Ruan L, Dong XP. (2003). Stability of SARS Coronavirus in
Human Specimens and Environment and its Sensitivity to Heating and Environment and UV Irradiation. Biomed Environ Sci
16,246-255.

Walker CM, Ko G. (2007). Effect of ultraviolet germicidal irradiation on viral aerosols. Environ Sci Technol

41,5460-5465.

2016 ASHRAE Handbook—HVAC Systems and Equipment CHAPTER 17

ULTRAVIOLET LAMP SYSTEMS (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers, Atlanta, GA).

2019 ASHRAE Handbook—HVAC Applications CHAPTER 62 ULTRAVIOLET AIR AND SURFACE TREATMENT

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