Because ventilation is not always possible, UV systems are designed to disinfect the air in offices, studios and classrooms. The invisible UV-C rays neutralize corona viruses.

In the fight against coronavirus regular airing is important. But not all Interiors can be properly ventilated. That is why companies and schools are increasingly using ultraviolet UV-C lamps. These render the virus harmless in the air without endangering humans. 

"Since Corona, more and more companies with open-plan offices as well as schools have been buying UV-C disinfection equipment from us," says Claude Haltiner, managing director of PMI-Labortechnik GmbH. The company manufactures such equipment and has been supplying the medical and pharmaceutical industries for years. There, the systems are used to disinfect surfaces, air and water.

So that the school does not have to close

The Unterstrass Comprehensive School in Zurich has recently started using UV-C radiation devices. "We wanted to act proactively to prevent Corona infections and so that our school would certainly not have to close," says principal Dieter Rüttimann to 20 Minuten. The units have been in use since the end of October. 

"The equipment also gives the students, parents and teachers more security," explains Rüttimann. A positive side effect is that the schoolrooms smell better and the air is fresher. However, the devices do not replace regular ventilation. "We'd rather do too much than too little," says Rüttimann.

The Beauty Solution cosmetics institute in Worb near Bern has already been using the UV-C systems since the end of April. "We came up with it in the lockdown because we only have skylights and therefore can't ventilate as well," explains managing director Sabina Renfer.

The devices would give the team and the customers more security. "Especially for treatments where clients can't wear a mask," Renfer says. On her recommendation, some of her professional colleagues are now using UV-C lamps in the fight against corona in beauty salons. 

Also the Zurich Airport tests the spotlights. These disinfect the handrails of the escalators.

Rays are not harmless

But UV-C rays are not harmless: "Anyone who uses UV-C lamps must know exactly how to handle them," explains Claude Haltiner of PMI. This is because UV-C rays destroy DNA and are therefore considered carcinogenic.

However, schools and offices mainly rely on closed, ozone-free UV-C air disinfection units. The UV lamps are installed there, and there is no direct irradiation. "This makes the product harmless and easy to handle," Haltiner says.

This is also confirmed by Martin Röösli, Professor of Environmental Epidemiology at the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute in Basel: "UV-C only has a carcinogenic effect when exposed directly." If UV lamps were installed in such a way that people were not exposed to radiation, there would be no danger.

SOLUTION FOR RETAIL TRADE?

In Germany, the retailer Edeka is testing UV-C systems in a store, as the "Frankfurter Allgemeine" writes. In Switzerland, retailers have so far refrained from using UV lamps. "We have maximized the amount of fresh air in our ventilation systems and thus ensure protection," says a Coop spokesman. Aldi and Lidl also rely on fresh air supply: "The mechanical ventilation systems are constantly in operation during opening hours and supply the stores with almost 100 percent fresh air," says Aldi. Migros also refrains from doing so, saying that it has tried and tested protection concepts and that there have been no significant outbreaks of illness since the outbreak of the pandemic.

Source: 20 Minuten, published on 20.11.2020