Is UV Light Disinfection Safe in Schools?
Is UV Light Disinfection Safe for Schools?
Since Covid-19, addressing poor indoor air quality in schools and the effect it can have on students’ mental and physical well-being has moved to the top of many priority lists.
In fact, according to one 2022 study, 59% of U.S. parents agree that more of a school’s budget should be dedicated to new technologies that could improve indoor air quality in classrooms.
While there are many options out there, UV light disinfection solutions continue to rise in popularity in both the public and private sectors.
When installed and used correctly, UV light disinfection solutions can be an incredibly safe and effective option for improving indoor air quality in schools. Not only has UV light been shown to reduce the SARS-CoV-2 virus down to undetectable levels, but UV light is also effective against bacteria, mold, and other common airborne irritants.
As a result, UV light disinfection might be one of the most beneficial tools a school can implement to improve indoor air quality and the learning environment overall.
Effects of Indoor Air Quality on Student Learning
Since 2020, indoor air quality (IAQ) has become a major focus for schools across the U.S., but many schools still have a lot of work to do.
According to a 2022 NPR article, U.S. schools are 45 years old on average. In many cases, this means that schools are outfitted with outdated and inefficient HVAC systems (or no mechanical HVAC system at all) or are otherwise poorly ventilated.
The impact of poor IAQ on student health and learning has an ever-growing body of research behind it.
According to one study, there is substantial evidence that poor indoor air quality is linked to higher rates of asthma and respiratory disease in school-age children. Bad IAQ also contributes to a higher risk of contracting communicable diseases, including Covid-19.
Another study found a connection between exposure to toxins due to poor IAQ, and lower reading and math scores.
With all of this in mind, it’s clear that improving indoor air quality in schools should be a top priority. So where does UV light fit in?
UV Light Disinfection in Schools
Effects of UV Light on Communicable Diseases
When it comes to disinfection, the type of UV light matters.
Specifically, there are three wavelengths that are effective at reducing and deactivating viruses and bacteria: UV-A, UV-B, and UV-C light.
UV-C light is the one most commonly used for disinfection purposes and is also called “germicidal UV light” because of how efficient it is at sanitizing both surfaces and the air, but UV-A and UV-B light also play an important role.
UV light disinfection targets the DNA and RNA of viruses and bacteria and causes cellular mutations. This has a powerful impact on a pathogen’s ability to function and reproduce, which in turn drastically reduces its ability to cause infection and illness.
At Violet Defense, we’ve combined the power of these three wavelengths and paired them with the anti-bacterial capabilities of violet-blue light for a full broad-spectrum solution that maximizes germ-killing efficiency.
Our technology has been verified by third-party labs to kill up to 99% of infectious viruses and bacteria, including:
SAR-CoV-2 (Covid-19)
Influenza
Norovirus
MRSA (Staph infection)
MHV-1 (a hepatitis virus)
C. diff
We’ve developed our technology to integrate seamlessly with everyday products, making it a safe and effective disinfection option for many occupied spaces, including schools.
Effectiveness of UV Light on Mold
Because a large number of schools across the U.S. have outdated HVAC systems where condensation tends to gather, and are poorly ventilated on top of that, schools are at a higher risk than many indoor settings for mold infestations.
Exposure to mold causes symptoms that run the gamut from coughing and headaches to flu symptoms and memory loss. Children are more vulnerable to these symptoms than adults due to their developing respiratory and immune systems.
Luckily, the impact of UV light disinfection solutions on mold is promising.
One study even found that pulsed UV light is effective at preventing the growth of black mold.
At Violet Defense, we have the only Xenon pulsed UV light disinfection solution on the market that can be installed, making it easy to disinfect surfaces and the surrounding air at optimum levels. This includes the deactivation of mold.
Minimal Risk of Health Side Effects/Reduced Need for Chemicals
What makes UV light disinfection a safe and effective option for schools is that it reduces the need for chemical disinfectants.
Chemical cleaners (in particular aerosols, though surface cleaners can also evaporate into the air) are one of the major contributors to poor indoor air quality through the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which are also found in gasoline car exhaust fumes.
Additionally, according to the EPA, regular contact with chemical cleaners in schools carries health risks such as:
Asthma
Upper respiratory infection
Nausea
Dizziness
Skin irritations
In addition, chemical cleaners are only effective as long as they are used correctly, and may even miss vital areas where infectious pathogens can propagate.
That’s why a multi-layered approach to disinfection is so important, especially in settings such as schools.
Vantage and Flash Systems from Violet Defense for Schools
With safety features such as integrated motion sensor technology to ensure the units only operate when rooms are unoccupied, to fully automated cleaning schedules, our Flash and Vantage systems are a safe and effective option for schools to add to their sanitation toolkit.
Both systems utilize our patented pulsed Xenon technology to disinfect air and surfaces. Together, the two systems also offer flexible disinfection solutions from the permanently installed Vantage ceiling units to the mobile solutions from the Flash series.
Get in touch with us today for your free consultation to find out how UV light can fit into your school's disinfection strategy.