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 | Source | Date | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UV Modeling | A quantitative method of determining the lethal effect of ultraviolet light on bacteria suspended in air | Sharp DG | 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 | IUVA/IOA Joint Congress, International Ultraviolet Association | 2007 | |
| UV rate constant data - Bacteria | Abiotic and sublethal effects of ultraviolet radiation on microorganisms | Hollaender, A | 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 | Biopolymers, 13:193-208 | 1963 | |
| UV Standards | Accurate measurement of UV lamp output | Sasges, M and J Robinson | IUVA News 73: 21-25 | 2005 | |
| UV Performance | Advantages of bactericidal ultraviolet radiation in air conditioning systems | Rentschler HC, Nagy R | 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 | Applied Microbiology 161:143-146 | 1968 | |
| UV applications | Airborne spread of measles in a suburban elementary school | Riley, EC, G Murphy and RL Riley | Am J Epidemiol 1075: 421-432 | 1978 | |
| UV Performance | Applications of Germicidal, Erythemal and Infrared Energy | Luckiesh M | 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 | J Bacteriol 44:85-94 | 1942 | |
| UV rate constant data - Bacteria | Bactericidal effect of ultraviolet radiation | Rentschler HC, Nagy R, Mouromseff G | J Bacteriol 42:745-774 | 1941 | |
| UV rate constant data - Bacteria | Bactericidal irradiation of air, physical factors | Wells WF | J Franklin Inst 229:347-372 | 1940 | |
| UV Modeling | Bioassay and dose measurement in UV disinfection | Qualls RG, Johnson JD | Appl Microb 453:872-877 | 1983 | |
| UV Performance | Biological Inactivation Efficiency by HVAC In-Duct Ultraviolet Light Systems: Steril-Aire, Inc | EPA | 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 | J Bacteriol 913:942-944 | 1966 | |
| UV Performance | Clearing the air: The theory and application of ultraviolet disinfection | Riley RL, Nardell EA | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | PLoS One 1411: e0225047 | 2019 | |
| UV rate constant data - Virus | Inactivation of airborne viruses by ultraviolet irradiation | Jensen MM | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | Biochim Biophys Acta 190:126-131 | 1969 | |
| UV Performance | Killing air-borne microorganisms with germicidal energy | Luckiesh M, Taylor AH, Knowles T | Journal of the Franklin Institute Oct :267-290 | 1947 | |
| UV Modeling | Lighting Handbook: Reference & Application IESNA HB-9-2000 | IESNA | 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 | 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 | ASHRAE | 2014 | |
| UV Modeling | Molecular Photobiology: Inactivation and Recovery | Smith KC, Hanawalt PC | New York: Academic Press | 1969 | |
| UV rate constant data - Bacteria | Photoreactivation and ultraviolet inactivation of Mycobacteria in air, MS Thesis | Gillis HL | Atlanta, Georgia Technical University | 1974 | |
| UV rate constant data - Bacteria | Photoreactivation in Airborne Mycobacterium parafortuitum | Peccia J, Hernandez M | 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 | IUVA News 101: 14-17 | 2008 | |
| UV Safety | Protection against lethal damage induced by ultraviolet radiation | Schoenborn, HW | J Eukaryotic Microbiol 32: 97-99 | 1956 | |
| UV rate constant data - Virus | Pyrimidine dimers in ultraviolet-irradiated DNA’s | Setlow RB, Carrier WL | J Mol Biol 17:237-254 missing 250-254 | 1966 | |
| UV rate constant data - Bacteria | Radiation Biology | Casarett AP | Englewood: Prentice-Hall | 1968 | |
| UV rate constant data - Virus | Radiation Biology Volume II | Zelle MR, Hollaender A | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | 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 | J Bact 38:535-547 | 1940 | |
| UV rate constant data - Virus | The inactivation of poliovirus in aerosols | de Jong JC, KC Winkler | 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 | 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 | 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 | IUVA | 2003 | |
| UV Performance | Ultra-violet Irradiation as a Means of Disinfection of Air | Hollaender, A | Am J Public Health Nations Health 338: 980-984 | 1943 | |
| UV Performance | Ultra-violet Irradiation as a Means of Disinfection of Air | Hollaender, A | 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 | New York, Springer | 2009 | |
| UV rate constant data - Virus | Ultraviolet-induced damage to DNA independent of molecular weight | Scholes CP, Hutchinson F, Hales HB | 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 | 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 | IUVA News 81:38-45 | 2006 | |
| UV rate constant data - Virus | UV Light Inactivation of Bacterial Biothreat Agents | Rose, LJ and H O'Connell | 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 | 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 | J Occup Environ Hyg 17:430-435 | 2002 | |
| UV rate constant data - Bacteria | UVGI Catalog and Design Guide | Philips | Netherlands: Catalog No UDC 628.9 | 1985 | |
| UV rate constant data - Virus | Viricidal activity of open air | Benbough JE, AM Hood | Journal of Hygiene 69:619-626 | 1971 |