Ever since I quit smoking some years ago, I’ve had this intense aversion to cigarette smoke. Maybe it’s not being given a choice on the quality of air I breathe even after I’ve chosen NOT to blacken my lungs with nicotine! Anyway, our office building recently integrated UV air purifiers into the ventilation system and they passed around some material that’s making me consider using UV air filters in my apartment as well.

The flyers they handed out said ultraviolet light damages microorganisms that cause diseases like tuberculosis, so that the diseases don’t spread. In fact, the US government has recommended that homeless shelters use UV lights for that reason.

Ultraviolet light is said to reduce 99% of the germs in a ventilation system. In one study where the UV system was used in cycles (meaning it was turned off sometimes) respiratory complaints went down by 40% and visible problems with phlegm, sinuses, etc. went down by 30%, some weeks.

When the ultraviolet lights were on, complaints from nonsmokers went down by HALF. What’s more, problems with breathing went down by as much as 60%.

One pamphlet I read said scientists over at Penn State say that germs die outdoors mainly because of the UV in sunlight. It makes you kind of wonder why nobody thought about this before though.

The only thing about UV air cleaners is that the air MUST pass through the ultraviolet light for germs to be killed. So, I’m installing a couple of UV air purifiers in my apartment next week.

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