We all want to breathe clean, safe air, especially indoors. But minute aerosolized viruses can spread quickly through a space every time someone breathes, talks, or coughs. Many places use chemical sprays to disinfect, hoping to kill these tiny viruses floating in the air. But how effective are they really? Can a simple spray truly eliminate these invisible threats?
This Farlite Insight broadly examines chemical sprays and their ability to combat airborne pathogens, including aerosolized viruses. We’ll also discuss one of the most effective alternatives, UV light disinfection, which can effectively neutralize viruses in the air without the use of harmful chemicals.
For a safe and effective way to continuously disinfect the air inside schools, airports, office buildings, and more, contact Farlite Solutions. We are a leading provider of upper air UV light disinfection technology. Get a custom disinfection system quote for your building.
Understanding Virus Transmission
It’s important to understand how viruses spread indoors. When we breathe, talk, cough, or sneeze, we release tiny droplets containing viruses. Some of these droplets are large and fall quickly to the ground, but others are much smaller and can float in the air for a long time. These tiny, aerosolized virus particles can be inhaled by others, leading to infection.
In enclosed spaces with poor ventilation, these aerosolized viruses can accumulate and increase the risk of transmission. And, while improved ventilation may reduce the number of airborne pathogens, it doesn’t eliminate them or neutralize them. One study estimated that inhaling just 10 aerosolized SARS-CoV-2 virions could be enough to cause COVID-19 infection.
The longer people spend in such environments, the greater the potential for exposure to aerosolized viruses. This highlights the need for effective strategies to eliminate these airborne threats and minimize the risk of infection, especially in high-occupancy settings.
How Chemicals Target Viruses
Viruses are not all created equal. They come in various shapes and sizes, with different outer structures and genetic makeups. These variations influence their susceptibility to disinfectants. Some viruses, like the flu virus, have a fragile outer envelope that can be easily disrupted by certain chemicals. Others, like norovirus, have a tougher protein shell that makes them more resistant to common disinfectants.
This means that a chemical spray effective against one type of virus might not be as effective against another. For example, while alcohol-based disinfectants are generally effective against enveloped viruses like the flu, they may be less effective against non-enveloped viruses like norovirus. This variability makes it challenging to find a single disinfectant solution that can effectively neutralize all types of aerosolized viruses.
Common Chemicals Used in Disinfection
Let’s take a closer look at the chemical sprays commonly used for disinfection. You’ve probably encountered some of these:
- Bleach-based sprays: These contain sodium hypochlorite, a powerful disinfectant that can kill a wide range of viruses and bacteria. Bleach works by breaking down the proteins and genetic material of microorganisms.
- Alcohol-based sprays: Often containing ethanol or isopropanol, these sprays are also effective against many viruses. Alcohol works by dissolving the outer envelope of some viruses and disrupting their essential proteins.
- Quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs): These are commonly found in disinfectant wipes and sprays. QACs disrupt the cell membranes of microorganisms, leading to their destruction.
These powerful chemicals can come with health risks, especially when used indoors. One of the biggest side effects is respiratory irritation. Inhaling spray droplets can irritate the airways, causing coughing, wheezing, or shortness of breath. This is particularly concerning for people with asthma or other respiratory conditions. It can also cause skin and eye irritation, leading to redness, burning, or itching. Even more concerning is the potential of long-term health consequences for employees due to frequent exposure to certain chemicals.
Chemical Sprays Are Not Fully Effective Against Viruses in the Air
Unfortunately, there’s limited scientific evidence directly proving the widespread effectiveness of chemical sprays against aerosolized viruses in real-world settings. Most studies focus on disinfecting surfaces, which is important, but doesn’t address the challenge of contaminated air.
When it comes to chemical disinfection, it’s not as simple as spraying and eliminating the threat. It’s like trying to hit a moving target, but the target is microscopic and constantly swirling in the air. For a spray to work, its droplets need to come into direct contact with the virus particles for a sufficient amount of time.
Several factors influence whether a spray can effectively neutralize aerosolized viruses. First, the spray itself needs to have very fine droplets to reach the tiny virus particles. Larger droplets will simply fall to the ground. Plus, in a still room, the spray might not reach all corners and areas where viruses linger. Good air circulation helps distribute the disinfectant, but it can also dilute it.
UV Light Disinfection Offers a Safe and Effective Alternative
UV light disinfection directly targets aerosolized germs and viruses by utilizing the power of ultraviolet light. This specific wavelength of UV light has germicidal properties, meaning it can effectively inactivate microorganisms like bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Here’s how a properly designed UV light air disinfection works:
- Disruption of DNA: UV-C light penetrates the cell walls of microorganisms and disrupts their DNA or RNA. This damage prevents them from replicating thus rendering them harmless.
- Continuous Disinfection: UV light disinfection systems can operate continuously, providing ongoing protection against aerosolized pathogens in the air. This is a significant advantage over intermittent disinfection methods like spraying.
- Wide Coverage: Strategically placed UV-C fixtures can effectively disinfect air as it circulates within a room, reaching areas that might be missed by sprays. This ensures comprehensive coverage and reduces the risk of “dead zones.”
- No Harmful Residues: Unlike chemical sprays, UV light disinfection leaves no harmful residues or byproducts. It’s a clean and environmentally friendly method for air disinfection.
- Effective Against a Broad Range of Pathogens: UV-C light has been proven effective against a wide variety of microorganisms, including those that are resistant to chemical disinfectants. This makes it a robust solution for combatting diverse aerosolized threats.
By directly targeting the genetic material of aerosolized microorganisms, UV light disinfection offers a powerful and continuous solution for maintaining clean and safe indoor air. When optimized with other strategies like good ventilation and surface disinfection, a UV light system can significantly reduce the spread of sickness in indoor environments.
Continuous Indoor Air Disinfection with UV Light Systems
Farlite Solutions offers cutting-edge UV light disinfection technology that neutralizes aerosolized viruses, providing continuous protection with cloud-based 24/7 monitoring – all without harmful chemicals. Learn more about our patented UVPhasor system and discover a safer, healthier way to disinfect your indoor spaces.