Question from Becky
Hi Debra, What do you know about UV lamps and their safety? Someone recommended installing this in our furnace to help with allergies – the website says it does not produce ozone but how can you be sure?
http://www.swordfishuv.com/FAQ/SwordfishWholeHome/tabid/162/Default.aspx
Debra’s Answer
I learned something by answering your question.
Years ago I learned about how ultraviolet lights produce ozone because my father was doing some research on using ozone to purify water. At that time, he was using a UV light to produce the ozone.
Today there is apparently a new generation of UV lamps that disinfect with the UV light itself, and not the ozone, as I previously thought. These are ozone-free.
These ozone-free lamps can be used safely to kill micro-organisms within an HVAC unit where you are not exposed to the light.
UV light in a certain range kills living cells by being absorbed by the DNA and breaking up it’s structure.
It also can transform harmful substances by breaking them up into not-harmful molecules.
UV lights create cancer. You have to be careful or have a professional change them for 80$ apiece. I had the and no longer use them they only work right over what is underneath. My hygienist told me they are practically worthless and if you read the EPAs report on air purifiers you will find that find most or all of them ineffectual. For various reasons.