UV Disinfection vs. Ozone for Cleaning Air

UV Disinfection vs. Ozone for Cleaning Air

Open concept office space with multiple desks benefitting from UV disinfection solutions
UV disinfection is the safest and most effective option for killing airborne germs in indoor spaces.

If you’re looking for ways to cleanse the air in your facility of harmful germs, you may have stumbled across a few different solutions. For instance, UV disinfection devices as well as ozone devices marketed as air purification systems. However, a word of caution, it’s important to do your research! While ozone may sound like a good solution for your facility, it is actually incredibly dangerous. Instead, UV disinfection lamps offer a proven option for killing germs in the air. In this article, we’ll discuss the differences between UV disinfection and ozone generators. 

Protect your customers and employees today – contact us for UV disinfection solutions for your facility. 

Is UV Disinfection or Ozone Better for Cleaning the Air?

If you’re in the market for indoor air disinfection solutions, there are several different things that are currently marketed for such a purpose. Just keep in mind that not all of them are scientifically proven and might even prove to be harmful for your building. For instance, ozone generators are commonly sold as “air cleaners” or “air purifiers,” but can be incredibly risky to use with practically no evidence to show they’re effective. Instead, UV devices are a proven method for killing germs in the air of your building so you can reduce the risk of disease transmission. 

The Dangers of Ozone Generators

Many devices on the market claim to use ozone to clean air in indoor spaces. Many call ozone “activated oxygen,” “energized oxygen.” or other similar terms. However, it’s important to keep in mind that ozone is different from the oxygen we need to survive. It contains three oxygen molecules and is actually a toxic gas. While it’s necessary for up high in the atmosphere, human exposure can cause a lot of serious issues, including:

  • Decreased lung function
  • Aggravated asthma
  • Increased risk for respiratory infections
  • Chest pain
  • Shortness of breath

What’s more, there’s no scientific evidence that ozone does actually clean the air. In fact, studies have found that it can mix with other pollutants and cause even more harmful byproducts. When it comes to germs, research shows that ozone does not kill germs, though incredibly high concentrations can reduce growth of certain microorganisms under certain circumstances. In short, there’s nothing indicating that ozone does actually help clean or disinfect air, but there is evidence to show that it’s dangerous to humans.

How UV Light Disinfection Works

Instead, you may be considering UV light disinfection for killing airborne germs. We have great news – UV disinfection is a proven method for indoor air disinfection. Ultraviolet rays can penetrate into germ cells and damage the DNA and RNA so they can’t infect people. This works for basically all types of pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, and fungi!

To kill germs in the air, you can use upper air ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) devices. This means that the UV lights create a disinfection zone in the upper area of a room that effectively kills germs while keeping the ultraviolet rays away from people in your building. This air disinfection solution has been used for several decades and has been proven to kill a variety of airborne germs to keep people safe and healthy. Also, since the light stays in the upper part of the room, it can safely be used in occupied spaces without any damaging health effects to others. So, for a truly effective solution for killing germs in the air of your building, consider UV disinfection devices like UVPhasor from Farlite.

Get Scientifically Proven Indoor Air Disinfection Solutions from Farlite

Become Farlite Protected today with UVPhasors for continuous indoor air disinfection. We offer advanced UV devices designed to kill germs in your building 24/7. With UVPhasor technology, you can protect people from viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens. UVPhasors feature a variety of convenient options, including options for cloud monitoring for device health and environmental monitoring for disinfection effectiveness. Reach out now to learn more and get an estimate for your building.