Differences Between Air and Surface Disinfection Units

Disinfection Purifiers with UV-C Technology

UV-C radiation is the UV radiation with the shortest wavelength. Its nanometre range lies between 280 and 100. UV-C radiation is particularly high-energy and causes biochemical reactions. The short wavelength allows the UV-C light to penetrate the cell walls of bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms, where it is absorbed and breaks down various chemical bonds (e.g. DNA base pairing).

As a result, DNA/RNA is damaged and the microorganisms are inactivated. Bacteria, viruses, yeasts and fungi are no longer able to multiply and can, therefore, no longer cause any damage.

Since UV-C radiation is harmful to microorganisms as well as human beings, it should never be used when humans or animals are in the same room. For this reason, UV-C lamps for air and surface disinfection are delivered with remote controls and may even be equipped with a motion sensor that switches the device off as soon as it detects motion within a certain radius.

Pure UV-C disinfection units operate with a fan that sucks in the ambient air, leads it past the UV-C lamp and releases it back into the room. This air purifier type can also be used in occupied rooms as it does not emit any UV-C radiation into the environment. Its circulation process gradually disinfects the entire ambient air. Often, the units are equipped with additional filters that remove pollutants from the air. Depending on their size, they may even be able to remove germs.

Air and Surface Disinfection with Hydroxyl Radicals

Hydroxyl radicals (OH radicals) are highly reactive compounds that occur in the earth’s troposphere. They play an important role in the decomposition of air pollution, which is why they are also known as the “detergent of the atmosphere”. The radicals belong to the reactive oxygen species (ROS) and are formed by phagocytes as part of the body’s defense against infections. OH radicals attack the cell membrane, the cell components and the DNA of bacteria, viruses and other pathogens and are thus able to destroy them quickly and effectively. They also destroy the pollutants, remove unpleasant odours and provide a better indoor climate. The disinfection not only concerns the room air, but also the surfaces within the device's reach.

Since the OH radicals also occur in nature and are not harmful to humans, air and surface disinfection units that work with hydroxyl radicals can be used in occupied rooms without any repercussions. Often, the units operate with cartridges that can be replaced by the user in a few simple steps.

Air and Surface Disinfection with Dry Mist

Devices for dry fogging disinfectants allow for simultaneous disinfection of the entire room air and all surfaces within reach. This type of disinfection is ideal for rooms with objects and surfaces that are difficult to access, which would make conventional disinfection time-consuming and labour-intensive.

Dry mist disinfection offers many advantages over classic disinfection with a surface disinfectant:

• Disinfection of hard-to-reach areas, such as joints, curtains, open cavities
• No corrosion of the treated areas
• No moisture: medical devices can remain in the room
• Fully automatic process: no personnel needed
• The room is quickly usable
• Environmentally friendly use of formaldehyde gas

Air Disinfection with Filters

This type of air purifier absorbs the surrounding air and passes it through a filter system with one or multiple filters before returning it to the room. The process quickly and effectively separates particles of all kinds. The filter performance and the substance type that can be filtered, depend on the filter class.

The Most Frequently Used Filters:

• Prefilters: removal of large particles, such as hairs, fibres or dust
• Carbon filters: chemicals, odours and organic compounds are removed to a large extend
• HEPA filters: HEPA filters are divided into different classifications according to EN 1822-1 2009 and are able to remove more than 99.9% of particles from the air, that are larger than 0.1 – 0.3 micrometers. The higher the filter class (e.g. HEPA H14) the better the filter performance.
• Photocatalytic UV-LED filters: With this technology, the photocatalyst destroys the particles separated by the filter, which eliminates the risk of re-emission. These special filters are particularly durable and do not need to be replaced.

Air and Surface Disinfection Devices with Praxisdienst

Whether for the medical surgery, the office or for nursing homes – with Praxisdienst you will find air purifiers with different technologies, reaches and equipment for all areas. To help you find the perfect device for your requirements, we have put together a table with all of our available air and surface disinfection units.

Overview of our Air and Surface Disinfection Units