Freshair room air purifier eliminates over 99 percent of corona viruses

The effectiveness of the room air purifier based on UV-C and ozone against corona viruses is proven by a recent study by the Fraunhofer Institute: “After less than two hours of device operation, the virus concentration in the room was already reduced by over 99%,” it concludes. The “Freshair” from the company Oxytec was tested.

The device uses the disinfecting effect of ozone and UV-C light. Inside, the drawn-in room air flows in a defined manner past a special UV-C lamp. This renders viruses, bacteria, yeasts, fungi and spores harmless. The UV-C lamp in the “Freshair” generates radiation with a wavelength of 254 nanometers. It is precisely at this wavelength that UV-C light has the strongest disinfecting effect. “UV-C radiation is capable of inactivating SARS-CoV-2 viruses,” confirms the Federal Environment Agency in a statement on mobile air purifiers dated November 16, 2020. There is no danger of “blinding” one’s eyes with the “Freshair.” The lamp is sealed inside the device and is not visible. It meets all radiation safety requirements.

The special tube made of quartz glass can do even more: in the front small part it produces UV-C radiation in the range of 185 nanometers. When air flows over this part of the tube, ozone is produced, which further enhances the efficiency of disinfection. The air thus enriched spreads through the room air to every niche and also disinfects surfaces. In addition, the ozone is highly effective in eliminating unpleasant odors in the room air.

In its current statement, the Federal Environment Agency recommends that manufacturers of devices that ionize air should be able to prove that they do not harm health. This proof is provided by the “Freshair”. The Fraunhofer study measured a maximum ozone concentration in the air of 12 micrograms per cubic meter. This is only one-tenth of the target value (120 micrograms per cubic meter) set out in the German Federal Immission Control Act, which is considered harmless to health.

Even if the corona virus were to mutate, the “Freshair” works consistently effectively, as microorganisms cannot develop any resistance to UV-C radiation. The compact device, which can be plugged into any power outlet, is used in many areas. Examples include offices, doctors’ surgeries, waiting rooms, restaurant dining rooms, sanitary rooms, locker rooms, fitness centers or in animal breeding.

The coronavirus family has been known for some time, although not in this particular form. In addition, there are many more types of viruses that can be dangerous to humans. The best known are probably the influenza viruses. But what makes these viruses so dangerous? It is the possibility of rapid spread. For a long time, it was assumed that these viruses could only be passed on through contact, but it has now been proven that a great many viruses can be transmitted through our most necessary food, namely the air.

A large proportion of upper respiratory illnesses are caused by viruses. Fine airborne droplets reach the mucous membranes of the nose, mouth and throat and lead to infection. Transmission occurs by aerosol formation during sneezing and coughing and by direct contact. In addition to the classic respiratory viruses, the pathogens of intestinal diseases also first enter the respiratory tract before infecting the gastrointestinal tract. Whether human rhenoviruses (common cold), lnfluenza viruses (influenza), echoviruses (flu-like infections, diarrhea) or even measles or mumps viruses: all these human-pathogenic viruses enter the human respiratory tract through the airborne route of transmission.

If you are interested in the Fraunhofer Institute’s study in full, further information on “Freshair” or on air purification with UV-C and ozone, please do not hesitate to contact us.