Effects of Germicidal UV Air Disinfection Devices on Indoor Air Quality in an Unoccupied Aged Care Facility

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has precipitated renewed interest in germicidal ultraviolet (GUV) for indoor air disinfection. However, UV-C radiation from these devices can produce indoor air pollutants including ozone, oxygenated volatile organic compounds (OVOCs), and ultrafine particles. A month-long study of indoor air quality effects of GUV was undertaken in an unoccupied aged care facility in Melbourne, Australia under both mechanical ventilation (∼3 air changes h–1) and natural ventilation (∼1 h–1) conditions. Upper room GUV-254 and whole room GUV-222 devices were tested. GUV-222 produced ∼670 μg/h of ozone resulting in <1 ppb enhancements in indoor ozone. GUV-222 also produced small increases..