the indoor environment & air quality uv air & surface disinfection

Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation as an Engineering Control to improve

Indoor Air Quality and Fight Healthcare-Associated Infection

David Skelton

SAFEAIR SOLUTIONS Cleaning Air, Reducing Risk, Saving Energy

Florence Nightingale. Notes on Hospitals, 1863

“It may seem a strange principal to enunciate as the very first requirement of a hospital that it should do the sick no harm.

And Yet…

• The 4th leading cause of death in America are

Healthcare Associated infections?1

– ~ 100,000 American die each year from Healthcare Associated Infections?2

– ~ 273 HAI Deaths every single day (about 1 death every 5.5 seconds)?

1Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Campaign to Prevent Antimicrobial Resistance in Healthcare

Settings: Why a Campaign? Atlanta, GA: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; 2001. Available

atwww.cdc.gov/drugresistance/healthcare/ problem.htm.

2Neu HC. The crisis in antibiotic resistance. Science 1992;257:1064- 1073.

Dust, Allergens and Particulates

Infectious Germs / Bio-aerosols

Toxic Compounds Odors /VOCs /

Gases

The EPA says 3 Contaminates are present in Indoor Air (and must be removed for IAQ)

Dust, Allergens and Particulates

Infectious Germs / Bio-aerosols

Toxic Compounds Odors /VOCs /

Gases

The EPA says 3 Contaminates are present in Indoor Air (and must be removed for IAQ)

Between 30,000 and

40,000 dead skin cells fall

off of your body every

hour.

Over a 24-hour period,

you lose almost a million

skin cells.

MRSA, acinetobactor, and

other pathogens are

found on human skin!

We Inhale Three Teaspoons of Dust… Every Day

What Exactly is in the Dust We’re Breathing?

Skin flakes, mold, bacteria, virus, insect excrement, fungi spores, yeast,

pollen, pesticides, dander, fiber, insulation, pollution (auto & industrial

emissions), and dust mites, a microscopic crab/spider critter.

(About 42,000 dust mites live in an ounce of dust)

Short term health effects: sore eyes, blocked nose, sore throat,

coughing, runny nose, wheezing, and breathlessness.

Long term health effects: damage to internal organs, blood

disorders, asthma, bronchitis, lung disease and cancer.

Filtration:

• Mechanical filtration trap particulates

–Must be changed often as trapped particulates decrease air flow and increase in back pressure (static).

–Technically become more efficient over time as trapped particulates clog openings, eventually nothing can pass through…not even clean air!

• Electrostatic Filtration (often marketed as high-efficiency filters)

–embeds charged polymer strands into mechanical filtration that causes ‘static-cling’; particulates cling to charged polymers in the media.

• Electronic air cleaners attract particulates to positively and negatively charged plates.

– Most produce ozone

–NOT effective in eliminating small microbes, such as virus, smoke, chemicals and odors.

• HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) Filtration is a Mechanical means of cleaning (not disinfecting) air.

–Hospital-grade HEPA trap > 0.3 microns; (virus are < 0.3 microns)

– Not effective in removing gasses odors, VOC’s, and pathogens < 0.3 microns

–High Static Pressure / energy inefficient

98% of All Airborne Microbes Measure Less than 1 micron.

American Lung Association states:

“Respirable Suspended Particles (RSP’s) evade

capture by the protective cilia and mucosa of our

upper respiratory system to invade the deepest

reaches of our lungs and cause serious health

problems.

Particles smaller than 5 microns are the direct cause

of many respiratory illnesses and chronic ailments.

Filter Efficiency (even HEPA)

What we cannot capture, we must “KILL”

Dust, Allergens and Particulates

Infectious Germs / Bio-aerosols

Toxic Compounds Odors /VOCs /

Gases

The EPA says 3 Contaminates are present in Indoor Air (and must be removed for IAQ)

Odors are caused by:

• chemical out-gassing from carpet glue,

paint, cleaning fluids, etc. (Volatile Organic

Chemicals)

• by decomposition and evaporation

Odors can pleasant, offensive or dangerous;

trigger allergies, and cause sickness.

We ‘Smell’ Odors by Inhaling Particles

of the Very ‘Thing’ we are Smelling.

Think About It… (or don’t!)

Dust, Allergens and Particulates

Infectious Germs / Bio-aerosols

Toxic Compounds Odors /VOCs /

Gases

The EPA says 3 Contaminates are present in Indoor Air (and must be removed for IAQ)

•Virus; Parasitical microbes released by breathing,

sneezing and coughing. Can lay dormant for long

periods, waiting for a host cell to mutate via DNA.

Virus can stay airborne for days.

•Bacteria; Parasitical microbes released from plant

and animal growth, decomposition and

out-gassing (evaporation from foods,

bodily fluids and waste).

•Mold; Parasitical spores that will ‘die’ without food and

moisture. Billions of spores grow on the moist coils

of your A/C system and contaminate

indoor air every time the fan is on.

Infectious Pathogens are in Search of a Host

Cell to Feed and Breed…

Note: Even talking can release ~ 200,000 airborne particles!

Dust, Allergens and Particulates

Infectious Germs / Bio-aerosols

Toxic Compounds Odors /VOCs /

Gases

What’s the Solution?

The EPA says 3 Contaminates are present in Indoor Air (and must be removed for IAQ)

UVGI (Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation) Destroys Biological Contaminants

UVGI breaks the DNA of biological contaminants,

destroying its ability to reproduce and colonize.

BROKEN DNA

There are no known pathogens resistant to a lethal dose of UV Germicidal energy.

NONE…

Awarded to Niels Finsen

for his “contribution to the

treatment of diseases

with concentrated light

(UV) radiation, whereby

he has opened a new

avenue for medical

science".

Niels Finsen

1860–1904

Physician, Scientist

and Danish Nobel

Laureate.

1903 Nobel Prize in Medicine and Physiology

Center for Hip and Knee Surgery, St. Francis Hospital-Mooresville, Indiana. Doctors reported the use of ultraviolet light “reduced overall infection rates from 10% to 0.24%”. Orthopedic infection rates dropped from 16.5% to .75%. The overall infection rate was 0.34% over the next 26 years of collected data.

1937 Duke University Study:

1973 "Since the development of

the germicidal lamp over seventy-five years ago, into two general categories have become standard:

A. Air Irradiation to kill bacteria floating or suspended in it.

B. Surface Irradiation of the product to be protected.“

2010

Philips

Application

Guide for

Ultraviolet

Germicidal

Irradiation

Where is UVGI Installed Today?

Three general UVGI strategies for infection control:

• Installation into ventilating ducts

• Irradiation of the upper zones of occupied

spaces

• In-room irradiation after one occupant and before

the next

Within weeks after the UVC installation, static pressure decreased

from 1.8 in.wg to just 0.7 in. wg. Air velocity more than doubled, from

230 fpm to 520 fpm. Both the coil and drain pan areas looked absolutely

clean, with no visible evidence of mold or organic buildup. The air

exiting wetbulb temperature decreased significantly, from 57°F to

53°F.

We calculated the increase in capacity to be approximately 7.9 tons of

air conditioning. If we use 1 kW/ton and multiply by 24 (hours/day) by 365

(days/year) by $0.07 (electric rate), we arrive at a total of $4,867 in

savings for this one unit. The total cost of the UVC was less than $2000

By installing UVC into all AHU at the facility, “We estimate yearly energy

savings well into six figures, not including additional savings from

reduced maintenance.

“…the use of UVC lights had a clinically

significant impact (17-18% increase) on clinical

pregnancy rates (CPR).”

“Significant reductions in VAP and antibiotic

use were associated with use of UVGI…”

“ UVGI systems kill airborne infectious contaminates (viruses, bacteria, and bacterial and fungal spores)...”

EPA Report, “Building Retrofits for Increased Protection Against Airborne

Chemical and Biological Releases” Pg. 56

“ UVGI can control bio-aerosols in buildings, which can decrease infectious disease transmission, healthcare costs, and sick leave.”

EPA Report, “Building Retrofits for Increased Protection Against Airborne

Chemical and Biological Releases” Pg. 57

2008 ASHRAE Handbook

– HVAC Systems and

Equipment

ULTRAVIOLET LAMP SYSTEMS,

CHAPTER 16

2008 ASHRAE Handbook – HVAC Systems and Equipment

Air Handler Component Surface Disinfection; Chapter 16, page 6

“…damp coil and drain pan conditions are

excellent forums for growth of bacteria and

mold. … contribute to sick building syndrome

and building-related illnesses, from mild

irritation to the spread of infectious agents.

”

ASHRAE Position Document on

Airborne Infectious Diseases

Approved by ASHRAE Board of Directors

“ ASHRAE’s sole objective is to advance the arts and sciences in HVAC&R to serve humanity and promote a sustainable world ... Therefore, the health effects of airborne infectious disease transmission are relevant to ASHRAE.”

“ASHRAE holds a strong position that engineers play a key role in reducing disease transmission that occurs in buildings.”

“ASHRAE should commit to improving the health of individuals that occupy buildings and to reduce the risk of airborne infectious disease transmission.”

UVGI in the News

UVGI in the News

THE LANCET, NOV. 2003.

“UV-C lamps in office ventilation systems reduced overall worker sickness by about 20%, including a 60% reduction in muscle complaints and a 40% drop in breathing

problems.”

UVGI in the News

THE LANCET, NOV. 2003.

“Installation of UV-C in most North American offices could resolve work related symptoms in about 4 million

employees, caused by contamination of HVAC systems.”

UVGI in the News

THE LANCET, NOV. 2003.

“UV-C installations could prove cost-effective compared with the yearly

losses from absence because of building-related illness.”

Three general UVGI strategies for infection control:

• Installation into ventilating ducts,

• Irradiation of the upper zones of

occupied spaces,

• In-room irradiation after one occupant and before

the next.

Airborne concentration of Influenza A virus in a modeled room,

with and without a UVGI system.

Penn State University

Study

Penn State University

Study

Influenza A virus Infection rate in a modeled room,

with and without a UVGI system.

UVC Benefits:

March 2010 RSES Journal

(Refrigeration Service Engineers

Society)

UVC Benefits:

• IAQ & Infection Control

March 2010 RSES Journal

(Refrigeration Service Engineers

Society)

UVC Benefits:

• IAQ & Infection Control

• Energy Savings

March 2010 RSES Journal

(Refrigeration Service Engineers

Society)

UVC Benefits:

• IAQ & Infection Control

• Energy Savings

• Maintenance Savings

March 2010 RSES Journal

(Refrigeration Service Engineers

Society)

UVC Benefits:

• IAQ & Infection Control

• Energy Savings

• Maintenance Savings

• Equipment Service Life

March 2010 RSES Journal

(Refrigeration Service Engineers

Society)

UVC Benefits:

• IAQ & Infection Control

• Energy Savings

• Maintenance Savings

• Equipment Service Life

• Water Conservation

March 2010 RSES Journal

(Refrigeration Service Engineers

Society)

UVC Benefits:

• IAQ & Infection Control

• Energy Savings

• Maintenance Savings

• Equipment Service Life

• Water Conservation

• LEED Contribution

March 2010 RSES Journal

(Refrigeration Service Engineers

Society)

Conclusive Studies that Recommend UVGI to Eliminate Airborne Microbial

Contamination:

NIOSH

Harvard University

National TB Coalition

Penn State University

University of Colorado

Center of Disease Control

World Health Organization

Tennessee Valley Authority

Center for Disease Control CDC

Environmental Protection Agency

FEMA

Reference

Manual 495

CDC Guidelines • “UVGI is effective reducing transmission of

infectious agents in hospitals, military housing and classrooms.“

FEMA Risk Management Series • Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI) is

lethal to microorganisms. All viruses and almost all bacteria are vulnerable.

The Lancet Medical Journal • “Sickness among office workers could be

reduced by using ultraviolet lamps in ventilation systems.”

Penn State University • “… airborne respiratory diseases could be

eradicated.” "Reducing the transmission rate could halt epidemics in their path."

The Lancet

Conclusion

UVGI Technology is an

evidence-based Science

Proven to:

Control Airborne Infectious Pathogens

Improve Health & Performance

Save Energy

Thank You.

QUESTIONS ?