UV Radiation to Predict Deseases - Research Paper Example

 ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION TO CLEAN AIR HYPOTHESIS Ultraviolet rays can be used to purify air from the microorganisms’ toxins and other pathogens. It improves on health by reducing the air infections. ABSTRACT The paper explores the benefits of ultraviolet radiation through sampling some of the domestic and commercial applications of ultraviolet rays in cleaning air. Some of the commonly used Air handling Units (AHU) and Heating ,Ventilation and Air Conditioning systems( HVAC) have applied the ultraviolet rays in effectively cleaning air. Through UVGI application , various pathogens have been denatured and deactivated to minimize air infection related diseases. The paper also explores on various sources of UV rays and the factors affecting their efficiency in killing pathogens. The indoor environment of modern residential buildings represent a new ecosystem that has been created by humans. Bacteria contaminate this environment, including installed ventilation systems which results in adverse health effects. The objective of the study is to test whether fixing and operation of germicidal (GUV) lights in house ventilation system would be realistic, without adverse effects, and effective in eliminating microbial contamination. INTRIODUCTION The need for indoor air quality has increased considerably in the recent years, and air handling units that circulate air to our living and working spaces are vital to the maintenance of a healthy indoor environment. As a global concern, there is a need to provide guidance for people both at domestic level and in commercial level on the best practices for inspecting and restoring clean air. From the definition clean air is that air free from micro organisms, dusts and other toxic contaminants. It is normally approved that source elimination of air contaminants remain the single best method for cleaning the decontaminated HVAC systems. One of the commonly used tool in treating air from HVAC is the use of ultraviolet lighting , intended to decrease the level of airborne pathogens and allergens going through the air purifying apparatus and thus into the indoor air environment. ULTRA VIOLET RADIATION The sun emits energy a broad spectrum of wavelength: visible light that is visible, infrared radiation that we feel as heat, and ultraviolet (UV) radiation which we can’t see and feel. UV radiation has a shorter wavelength and higher energy than visible light. It has both harmful and beneficial effects on living organisms and humans. There exist three types of UV lights: A, B, and C, each representing a diverse section of the UV light spectrum. With type C, is the form used for germicidal activity. Ultra violet rays is commonly sourced from the sun, however the sun’s UV radiation rays are blocked by the earth’s ozone layer leading to artificial creation of commonly used Ultra violet radiation. The use of ultraviolet rays on killing microorganisms depend on various factors such as intensity of the UV foundation, length of time of exposure, an organism susceptibility, humidity. Ambient temperature, the presence of particles that may absorb the UV may absorb the UV intensity among others. DISCUSSION Several researches have proved that ultraviolet rays can be useful in purifying air since the UV rays energy kill or deactivate viral, bacterial, and fungal group.( Kauffman and Wolf, 2012) In order to prevent outbreak of infectious disease such as bird flu, we should have enhanced knowledge regarding the power of ultraviolet irradiation within our indoor environments. it is found that ultra violet rays can kill the contaminants of air. The focus of this report will be to prove the effectiveness of the ultraviolet rays in cleaning the air in different conditions. Methods: GUV rays were installed in the aeration system serving four residential premises, and were turned on and off during a duration of four weeks. Residents reported their environmental satisfaction, symptoms, as well as infections absence. The GUV lights were designed in a manner that the residents could not identify whether they were on or off. The indoor atmosphere was measured in detail including airborne bacteria and surface bacteria. The main objective of this research was to identify whether the UV rays has other negative effects on humans. Results: Airborne bacteria and fungi were not much different whether GUV lights were on or off, but were practically eliminated from the surfaces of the Air Handling Units after 4 weeks of GUV light operation. Of the other ecological variables measured, only total airborne particulates were significantly different under two experimental conditions- higher with GUV lights on than off. Out of ten sampled residential, 87% of total occupants reported the same environmental satisfaction whether GUV lights were on or off. Headache, respiratory infection, and eye irritation occurred less often when the GUV lights were on. Overall, the cases of microbial infections reduced compared to GUV absence. These fixtures inactivate airborne microbes by irradiating them as air currents move them into the path of the UV energy. As microbe toxins come into the UV path , the ultraviolet light waves enter the microbe’s membrane and nucleus. The UV energy then disintegrate apart the molecular bonds of the DNA of the pathogen killing it or constraining its’ ability to reproduce. Longer UV radiation exposure by humans can also indicate some negative effects like eye irritation, headaches, and skin infections. Though the infections are not permanent because individuals recover after deserting the UV location A study of office systems reports a 25%- 30% reduction of in the air bacteria when UVGI was used on HVAC drip pans and cooling coils. Since organisms sterilization by UV rays varies. Bacteria deactivates faster than fungi by an approximately factor of 200:1. While some bacteria and mold spores are resistant to UV rays. The rates of duration of exposure and wattage also affect the result. For effective results HVAC need to be maintained and be replaced after a specific duration to enhance its effectiveness. Another study conducted on various building, where some HVAC were installed and others left without HVAC systems. Air samples taken from the same rooms were identified to have the same pathogens distribution. However, after using UV lamps in some rooms , the result collected varied from the initial result. The number of microbes identified in sample air from the rooms with HVAC differs significantly. There was a minimal microbe present as compared to the rooms without installed UV lamps. These study showed that using germicide UV lamps resulted in elimination of bacterial and fungal growth on surface within an AHU and in sample room air (Haleem & Mohan, p.p 149) Benefits of ultraviolet rays in cleaning air includes it ability to disinfect/ sterilize microbes and some spore-forming bacteria, and viruses. It reduces cold and flu, control mold and bacteria, and reduce respiratory infections. There are some limitations of using UV radiation for air cleaning. First, there is the hazard of overexposure to workers. Some of these hazardous effects include skin irritation, eye irritation and headache. Second, UV don’t infiltrate well, so any slight dirt or organic material material on the path of rays may prevent the radiation killing microbes. Some of the materials used in equipment that emit UV radiation may cause harm when not well handled. For example , mercury is hazardous when spillage occurs. CONCLUSION Using UV radiation in AHU and HVAC is of significant value in cleaning air. The UV radiation when well projected into the air handling units, eliminates microorganisms that pollutes the air.UV radiation has effective outcome in air cleaning, killing microorganisms in air or sterilize the microbes to hinder their reproduction. Reference Haleem, K. A. A., & Mohan, K. S. (January 01, 2012). Fungal pollution of indoor environments and its management. Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences, 19, 4, 405-26. Kauffman, R. 2011. Study the degradation of typical HVAC materials, filters and components irradiated by UVC energy. ASHRAE Research Project. RP- 1509, Final Report. Read More