Factors Influencing Effectiveness of Upper-Room UVGI Systems
June 1, 2009 3 minutes read
Factors Influencing Effectiveness of Upper-Room UVGI Systems
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health identified the following parameters for the effective use of ultraviolet germicidal irradiation to protect against tuberculosis:
UVGI Irradiance and Dose
Factors that must be considered when evaluating the ability of an upper-room UVGI system to kill or inactivate airborne microorganisms include the sensitivity of the microorganisms to UVGI and the dose of UVGI received by a microorganism or population of microorganisms. UVGI dose is the ultraviolet (UV) irradiance multiplied by the time of exposure and is usually expressed as µW-s/cm2.
A well-designed upper-room UVGI system may be effective in killing or inactivating most airborne droplet nuclei containing mycobacteria if designed to provide an average UV fluence rate in the upper room in the range of 30 µW/cm2 to 50 µW/cm2, provided the other elements stipulated in the guidelines are met. In addition, the fixtures should be installed to provide as uniform a UVGI distribution in the upper room as possible.
Upper-Room UVGI Systems and Mechanical Ventilation
As the mechanical ventilation rate in a room is increased, the total number of microorganisms removed from the room via this system is increased. However, when mechanical ventilation is increased in a room where an upper-room UVGI system has been deployed, the effectiveness of the UVGI system may be reduced because the residence time of the bacteria in the irradiated zone decreases.
Under experimental laboratory conditions with mechanical ventilation rates up to six air changes per hour (ACH), the rate that microorganisms are killed or inactivated by UVGI systems appears to be additive with mechanical ventilation systems in well-mixed rooms.
Air Mixing
Upper-room UVGI systems rely on air movement between the lower portion of the room where droplet nuclei are generated and the upper irradiated portion of the room. Once in the upper portion, droplet nuclei containing M. tuberculosis may be exposed to a sufficient dose of UVGI to kill or inactivate them.
When upper-room UVGI systems are installed, general ventilation systems should be designed to provide optimal airflow patterns within rooms and prevent air stagnation or short-circuiting of air from the supply diffusers to the exhaust grills. Also, heating and cooling seasons should be considered and the system designed to provide for optimal convective air movement.
Most rooms or areas with properly installed supply diffusers and exhaust grills should have adequate mixing. If areas of air stagnation are present, air mixing should be improved by adding a fan or repositioning the supply diffusers and/or exhaust grills. If there is any question about vertical air mixing between the lower and upper portions of the room due to environmental or other factors, a fan or fans should be used to continually mix the air. In a room without adequate air mixing under experimental laboratory conditions, the UVGI system effectiveness increased from 12% to 89% when a mixing fan was used.
Humidity
A number of studies have indicated that the effectiveness of upper-room UVGI systems decreases as humidity increases. The reason for the decrease in UVGI effectiveness is not clearly understood. However, the effect needs to be considered in the general context of upper-room UVGI systems.
For optimal efficiency, relative humidity (RH) should be controlled to 60% or less if upper-room UVGI systems are installed. This is consistent with American Institute of Architects (AIA) and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) recommendations that the RH affecting patient care areas in hospitals and outpatient facilities range from 30% RH to 60% RH. If high-humidity conditions are normal, it may be necessary to install a system with greater-than-normal upper-room irradiance levels.
Temperature
Recommendations developed by ASHRAE and AIA stipulate that the design temperature for most areas affecting patient care in hospitals and outpatient facilities range from 68°F to 75°F (20°C to 24°C). This temperature range is consistent with the optimal use of low-pressure mercury lamps that are used in upper-room UVGI systems.
The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health identified the following parameters for the effective use of ultraviolet germicidal irradiation to protect against tuberculosis:You have reached your article limit for the month. Subscribe now to access this article plus other member-only content.
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