Air purifiers are becoming increasingly popular for disinfecting viruses such as COVID-19. But are air purifiers with UV light worth it? To answer this question, we need to understand the pros and cons of UV and non-UV air purifiers. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that people should not buy air purifiers that emit ozone. Air purifiers with UV lights capture and destroy airborne viruses and bacteria, but they come with a higher price tag. Smart Air offers practical, empirically backed purifiers and masks, which remove the same particles as large companies by one fraction of the cost. A study published in the journal Public Health Reports points out that a common way of using UVC rays to disinfect air is by using germicidal ultraviolet (UVGI) radiation in the upper room, where lamps are placed on the ceiling that clean the air near the ceiling before it descends back down.
However, there is not enough evidence to investigate whether UV and HEPA air purifiers can protect against respiratory diseases. A report prepared by an environmental engineer who works for Austin Air states that the addition of a UV bulb increases the costs of both initial purchase and maintenance, and important steps must be taken to ensure that airborne microorganisms are exposed to light long enough to neutralize them. Ironically, a poorly designed air purifier with a UV bulb could cause more air pollution, instead of decreasing. To avoid harming people, the UV light emitted by these bulbs is carefully contained within the body of the air purifier. For most customers, buying a UV air purifier is probably a stretch, although it won't do you any harm if you don't mind the extra expense involved. This air purifier comes with a 360-degree intake system and has wheels so that people can easily move it to different areas. In conclusion, while air purifiers with UV light can be effective in improving indoor air quality, they come with a higher price tag and may not be worth it for most customers.
It's important to note that there is not enough evidence to investigate whether UV and HEPA air purifiers can protect against respiratory diseases. Therefore, it's best to opt for an air purifier without UV light.
