IUVA Education Resource Center
Air Disinfection
My Guiding Principles
Focus will be on Evidence-based performance studies; equipment assessments; scientific explanations of air disinfection methods; articles on the practice of decontaminating indoor environments to reduce airborne contamination. Identifying and prioritizing Information related to standards and their development. Will select from leading journals based on relevance and technical content. Bibliographies will be assembled, including seminal historical works as well as recent publications. Performance of air disinfection systems will be a priority. Vendor materials will be addressed anonymously only if they contain results from independent certified laboratories.
Wladyslaw Kowalski, Chief Scientist, SanUVox holds a PhD in Architectural Engineering from The Pennsylvania State University. Dr Kowalski has authored numerous articles on airborne disease control technologies including the widely cited Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation Handbook. He was previously chairman of the Air Treatment Group of IUVA and works on UV standards in collaboration with ASHRAE, ASTM, and other professional societies. He also serves on the Underwriters Laboratories UL 8800 Photobiological Safety Committee.
Documents & Resources
| Sub-topic | Title | Author | Comments | Source | Date | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UV Modeling | A quantitative method of determining the lethal effect of ultraviolet light on bacteria suspended in air | Sharp DG | Methodology | J Bact 35:589-599 | 1938 | |
| UV Standards | A standard method of quantifying the output of UV lamps | Sasges, M, A vanderPool, A Voronov and J Robinson | Standard Method | IUVA/IOA Joint Congress, International Ultraviolet Association | 2007 | |
| UV rate constant data - Bacteria | Abiotic and sublethal effects of ultraviolet radiation on microorganisms | Hollaender, A | Contains valid UV k data | Aerobiol 17: 156-165 | 1942 | |
| UV rate constant data - Virus | Absorption spectra of nucleotides, polynucleotides, and nucleic acids in the far ultraviolet | Voet, D, Walter, B, Gratzer, R, A, Cox, Paul, Doty | Contains valid UV k data | Biopolymers, 13:193-208 | 1963 | |
| UV Standards | Accurate measurement of UV lamp output | Sasges, M and J Robinson | Lamp output measurements | IUVA News 73: 21-25 | 2005 | |
| UV Performance | Advantages of bactericidal ultraviolet radiation in air conditioning systems | Rentschler HC, Nagy R | Historical Air Disinfection & Cooling Coil document | HPAC 12:127-130 | 1940 | |
| UV rate constant data - Bacteria | Aerosols of Mycoplasmas, L forms, and bacteria: Comparison of particle size, viability, and lethality of ultraviolet radiation | Kundsin RB | Contains valid UV k data | Applied Microbiology 161:143-146 | 1968 | |
| UV applications | Airborne spread of measles in a suburban elementary school | Riley, EC, G Murphy and RL Riley | Epidemiology study | Am J Epidemiol 1075: 421-432 | 1978 | |
| UV Performance | Applications of Germicidal, Erythemal and Infrared Energy | Luckiesh M | Contains valid UV k data | New York: D Van Nostrand Co | 1946 | |
| UV rate constant data - Bacteria | Bactericidal action of ultraviolet radiation on air-borne microorganisms | Rentschler HC, Nagy R | Contains valid UV k data | J Bacteriol 44:85-94 | 1942 | |
| UV rate constant data - Bacteria | Bactericidal effect of ultraviolet radiation | Rentschler HC, Nagy R, Mouromseff G | Contains valid UV k data | J Bacteriol 42:745-774 | 1941 | |
| UV rate constant data - Bacteria | Bactericidal irradiation of air, physical factors | Wells WF | Contains valid UV k data | J Franklin Inst 229:347-372 | 1940 | |
| UV Modeling | Bioassay and dose measurement in UV disinfection | Qualls RG, Johnson JD | UV Dose measurement data | Appl Microb 453:872-877 | 1983 | |
| UV Performance | Biological Inactivation Efficiency by HVAC In-Duct Ultraviolet Light Systems: Steril-Aire, Inc | EPA | Contains valid UV k data | Environmental Protection Agency | 2006 | |
| UV rate constant data - Bacteria | Characterization of Mycoplasma aerosols as to viability, particle size, and lethality of ultraviolet radiation | Kundsin RB | Contains valid UV k data | J Bacteriol 913:942-944 | 1966 | |
| UV Performance | Clearing the air: The theory and application of ultraviolet disinfection | Riley RL, Nardell EA | Performance theory | Am Rev Resp Dis 139:1286-1294 | 1989 | |
| UV Performance | Defining the Effectiveness of UV Lamps Installed in Circulating Air Ductwork | Van Osdell, D and K Foarde | Modeling effectiveness | Arlington, VA, Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology Institute | 2002 | |
| UV Modeling | Design and optimization of UVGI air disinfection systems Doctoral Dissertation, The Pennsylvania State University | Kowalski, WJ | Design & optimization | 2001 | ||
| UV Performance | Development of a protocol for the determination of the ultraviolet sensitivity of microorganisms suspended in air | Ke, Q, S Craik, M El-Din and J Bolton | Contains valid UV k data & a test protocol | Aerosol Sci Technol 434: 284-289 | 2009 | |
| UV RH data - Spores | Effect of relative humidity on the aerodynamic diameter and respiratory deposition of fungal spores | Reponen, T, K Willeke, V Ulevicius, A Reponen and S Grinshpun | RH data | Atmos Environ 30: 3967-3974 | 1996 | |
| UV rate constant data - Bacteria | Effect of relative humidity on the inactivation of airborne Serratia marcescens by ultraviolet radiation | Riley RL, Kaufman JE | Contains valid UV k data | Applied Microbiology 236:1113-1120 | 1972 | |
| UV rate constant data - Virus | Effect of ultraviolet germicidal irradiation of the air on the incidence of upper respiratory tract infections in kittens in a nursery | Jaynes, RA, MC Thompson and MA Kennedy | Outcomes based results | J Am Vet Med Assoc 2579: 929-932 | 2020 | |
| UV rate constant data - Bacteria | Effect of ultraviolet germicidal irradiation on viral aerosols | Walker CM, Ko G | Contains valid UV k data | Environ Sci Technol 4115:5460-5465 | 2007 | |
| UV Performance | Effectiveness of a shielded ultraviolet C air disinfection system in an inpatient pharmacy of a tertiary care children’s hospital | Guimera, D, J Trzil, J Joyner and ND Hysmith | Concentration reduction data | Am J Infect Control 462: 223-225 | 2018 | |
| UV Performance | Effectiveness of a shielded ultraviolet C air disinfection system in an inpatient pharmacy of a tertiary care children’s hospital | Guimera, D, J Trzil, J Joyner and ND Hysmith | Concentration reduction data | Am J Infect Control 462: 223-225 | 2018 | |
| UV rate constant data - Bacteria | Effects of relative humidity on the ultraviolet induced inactivation of airborne bacteria | Peccia J, Werth HM, Miller S, Hernandez M | Contains valid UV k & RH data | Aerosol Sci & Technol 35:728-740 | 2001 | |
| UV rate constant data - Bacteria | Efficacy of ultraviolet germicidal irradiation of upper-room air in inactivating airborne bacterial spores and mycobacteria in full-scale studies | Xu, P, J Peccia, P Fabian, JW Martyny, KP Fennelly, M Hernandez and SL Miller | Contains valid UV k data | Atmos Environ 37: 405-419 | 2003 | |
| UV Performance | Evaluation of multiple fixed in-room air cleaners with ultraviolet germicidal irradiation, in high-occupancy areas of selected commercial indoor environments | Lee, L D, G Delclos, ML Berkheiser, MT Barakat and PA Jensen | In-place testing of air disinfection | J Occup Environ Hyg 191: 67-77 | 2022 | |
| UV rate constant data - Bacteria | Factors affecting the viability of air-borne bacteria: IV The inactivation and reactivation of air-borne Serratia marcescens by ultraviolet and visible light | Webb SJ | Contains valid UV k data | Can J Microbiol 7:607-619 | 1961 | |
| UV rate constant data - Bacteria | Factors affecting the viability of air-borne bacteria: V The effect of desiccation on some metabolic systems of Escherichia coli | Webb SJ | Contains valid UV k data | Can J Microbiol 7:621-632 | 1961 | |
| UV Performance | Feasibility Study of Germicidal UV Lamps for Air Disinfection in Simulated Patient Care Rooms | Kethley TW | Historical Air Disinfection Test | San Francisco, CA: American Public Health Association | 1973 | |
| UV Performance | Impact of UVC-sustained recirculating air filtration on airborne bacteria and dust in a pig facility | Eisenloffel, L, T Reutter, M Horn, S Schlegel, U Truyen and S Speck | Contains valid UV & filtration data | PLoS One 1411: e0225047 | 2019 | |
| UV rate constant data - Virus | Inactivation of airborne viruses by ultraviolet irradiation | Jensen MM | Contains valid UV k data | Applied Microbiology 125:418-420 | 1964 | |
| UV rate constant data - Virus | Inactivation of poxviruses by upper-room UVC light in a simulated hospital room environment | McDevitt, JJ, DK Milton, SN Rudnick and MW First | Contains valid UV k data | PLoS One 39: e3186 | 2008 | |
| UV rate constant data - Virus | Inactivation of the coronavirus that induces severe acute respiratory syndrome, SARS-CoV | Darnell MER, Subbarao K, Feinstone SM, Taylor DR | Contains valid UV k data | J Virol Meth 121:85-91 | 2004 | |
| UV rate constant data - Virus | Inactivation of virus-containing aerosols by ultraviolet germicidal irradiation | Tseng C-C, Li C-S | Contains valid UV k data | Aerosol Sci Technol 391136-1142 | 2005 | |
| UV rate constant data - Bacteria | Influence of relative humidity on particle size and UV sensitivity of Serratia marcescens and Mycobacterium bovis BCG aerosols | Ko G, First MW, Burge HA | Contains valid UV k data & RH effects | Tuber Lung Dis 804/5:217-228 | 2000 | |
| UV rate constant data - Virus | Influence of relative humidity on the photochemistry of DNA films | Rahn RO, Hosszu JL | Contains valid UV & RH effects data | Biochim Biophys Acta 190:126-131 | 1969 | |
| UV Performance | Killing air-borne microorganisms with germicidal energy | Luckiesh M, Taylor AH, Knowles T | Contains valid UV k data | Journal of the Franklin Institute Oct :267-290 | 1947 | |
| UV Modeling | Lighting Handbook: Reference & Application IESNA HB-9-2000 | IESNA | Historic IESNA refrence book | New York: Illumination Engineering Society of North America | 2000 | |
| UV Modeling | Mathematical modeling of UVGI for air disinfection | Kowalski WJ, Bahnfleth WP, Witham DL, Severin BF, Whittam TS | Modeling document | Quantitative Microbiology 23:249-270 | 2000 | |
| UV rate constant data - Bacteria | Method of Testing Ultraviolet Lamps for Use In HVAC&R Units of Air Ducts to Inactivate Microorganisms on Irradiated Surfaces | ASHRAE | Proposed method of testing | ASHRAE | 2014 | |
| UV Modeling | Molecular Photobiology: Inactivation and Recovery | Smith KC, Hanawalt PC | Contains valid UV k data | New York: Academic Press | 1969 | |
| UV rate constant data - Bacteria | Photoreactivation and ultraviolet inactivation of Mycobacteria in air, MS Thesis | Gillis HL | Contains valid UV k data | Atlanta, Georgia Technical University | 1974 | |
| UV rate constant data - Bacteria | Photoreactivation in Airborne Mycobacterium parafortuitum | Peccia J, Hernandez M | Contains valid UV k data | Appl and Environ Microbiol 67:4225-4232 | 2001 | |
| UV Modeling | Proposed method for measurement of the output of monochromatic 254 nm low pressure UV lamps | Laval, O, B Dussert, C Howarth, K Platzer, M Sasges, J Muller, E Whitby, R Stowe, V Adam, D Witham, S Engel, P Posey and A vandePol | Contains valid UV k data | IUVA News 101: 14-17 | 2008 | |
| UV Safety | Protection against lethal damage induced by ultraviolet radiation | Schoenborn, HW | UV safety document | J Eukaryotic Microbiol 32: 97-99 | 1956 | |
| UV rate constant data - Virus | Pyrimidine dimers in ultraviolet-irradiated DNA’s | Setlow RB, Carrier WL | Contains valid UV k data | J Mol Biol 17:237-254 missing 250-254 | 1966 | |
| UV rate constant data - Bacteria | Radiation Biology | Casarett AP | Historical Reference with valid UV k data | Englewood: Prentice-Hall | 1968 | |
| UV rate constant data - Virus | Radiation Biology Volume II | Zelle MR, Hollaender A | Historical document | New York: McGraw-Hill | 1955 | |
| UV Performance | Reduction of Particles in the Operating Room Using Ultraviolet Air Disinfection and Recirculation Units | Curtis, GL, M Faour, M Jawad, AK Klika, WK Barsoum and CA Higuera | Contains valid UV k data & particle data | J Arthroplasty 337S: S196-S200 | 2018 | |
| UV rate constant data - Bacteria | Size and UV germicidal irradiation susceptibility of Serratia marcescens when aerosolized from different suspending media | Lai KM, Burge, H, and First, MW | Contains valid UV k data | Appl Environ Microbiol 704:2021-2027 | 2004 | |
| UV rate constant data - Bacteria | Stability of disseminated aerosols of Pastuerella tularensis subjected to simulated solar radiations at various humidities | Beebe JM | Contains valid airborne UV k data | Journal of Bacteriology 78:18-24 | 1959 | |
| UV Performance | Sterilization efficacy of ultraviolet irradiation on microbial aerosols under dynamic airflow by experimental air conditioning systems | Nakamura H | Contains valid UV k airborne data | Bull Tokyo Med Dent Univ 342:25-40 | 1987 | |
| UV rate constant data - Bacteria | The effects of ultraviolet light on bacteria suspended in air | Sharp G | Contains valid UV k data | J Bact 38:535-547 | 1940 | |
| UV rate constant data - Virus | The inactivation of poliovirus in aerosols | de Jong JC, KC Winkler | Contains valid UV k data | Journal of Hygiene 66:557-565 | 1968 | |
| UV rate constant data - Bacteria | The influence of relative humidity on the UV susceptibility of airborne gram negative bacteria | Fletcher, L | Contains valid UV k & RH effects data | IUVA News 61: 12-19 | 2004 | |
| UV rate constant data - Virus | The physical state of viral nucleic acid and the sensitivity of viruses to ultraviolet light | Rauth AM | Contains valid UV k data | Biophysical Journal 5:257-273 | 1965 | |
| UV rate constant data - Virus | The ultraviolet susceptibility of aerosolised microorganisms and the role of photoreactivation; 2003; Vienna | Fletcher LA, Noakes CJ, Beggs CB, Sleigh PA, Kerr KG | Contains valid UV k data | IUVA | 2003 | |
| UV Performance | Ultra-violet Irradiation as a Means of Disinfection of Air | Hollaender, A | Historical document on air disinfection | Am J Public Health Nations Health 338: 980-984 | 1943 | |
| UV Performance | Ultra-violet Irradiation as a Means of Disinfection of Air | Hollaender, A | Historical document on air disinfection | Am J Public Health Nations Health 338: 980-984 | 1943 | |
| UV rate constant data - Virus | Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation Handbook: UVGI for Air and Surface Disinfection | Kowalski, WJ | Contains valid UV k data | New York, Springer | 2009 | |
| UV rate constant data - Virus | Ultraviolet-induced damage to DNA independent of molecular weight | Scholes CP, Hutchinson F, Hales HB | Contains valid UV k data | J Mol Biol 24:471-474 | 1967 | |
| UV rate constant data - Bacteria | Use of ultraviolet irradiation in a room air conditioner for removal of bacteria | Harstad JB, HM Decker, AGWedum | Historical document on cooling coil UV | American Industrial Hygiene Association Journal 2:148-151 | 1954 | |
| UV rate constant data - Bacteria | UV dose required to achieve incremental log inactivation of bacteria, protozoa and viruses | Chevrefils G, Caron E, Wright H, Sakamoto G, Payment P, Barbeau B, Cairns B | Summary of UV k data from 2006 | IUVA News 81:38-45 | 2006 | |
| UV rate constant data - Virus | UV Light Inactivation of Bacterial Biothreat Agents | Rose, LJ and H O'Connell | Contains valid UV k data | Appl Environ Microbiol 759: 2987-2900 | 2009 | |
| UV rate constant data - Bacteria | UV radiators in humidifying units and air channels of air conditioning systems in hospitals | Grun L, Pitz N | Historical data on cooling coil UV | Zbl Bakt Hyg B159:50-60 | 1974 | |
| UV rate constant data - Bacteria | UV-induced inactivation rates for airborne Mycobacterium bovis BCG | Peccia J, and Hernandez, M | Contains valid UV k data | J Occup Environ Hyg 17:430-435 | 2002 | |
| UV rate constant data - Bacteria | UVGI Catalog and Design Guide | Philips | Historical Catalog | Netherlands: Catalog No UDC 628.9 | 1985 | |
| UV rate constant data - Virus | Viricidal activity of open air | Benbough JE, AM Hood | Contains valid UV k data in air | Journal of Hygiene 69:619-626 | 1971 |