| HEPA air purifiers have been on the market for a | | | | oxidation properties of ultraviolet light, PCO |
| while, but there have also been some recent | | | | purification systems utilize UV lamps with additional |
| advances made in air purification technologies as | | | | wavelengths. These additional wavelengths ensure |
| of late. Many air purifier manufacturers are now | | | | a quicker reaction rate when it comes the |
| utilizing Photocatalytic Oxidation (PCO) technology | | | | degrading of toxic compounds that are polluting |
| as a way of removing toxins from the air. This | | | | the air you breathe. |
| purification method may be the most advanced | | | | Because PCO technology is an extremely |
| one yet, and some leading air purifier | | | | powerful purification method, PCO air purifiers |
| manufacturers are beginning to add PCO air | | | | have the ability to eliminate particles as small as |
| cleaners to their product lines. | | | | 0.001 microns, including the tiny penetrating |
| For years, PCO has been FDA approved for | | | | particles that can absorb into your lungs and |
| reducing bacteria in meat processing plants, and it | | | | cause damage (HEPA filters are only able to filter |
| is even used to cleanse pesticides from the fruits | | | | out particles as small as 0.3 microns). Studies have |
| and vegetables we eat. Essentially, PCO filtration | | | | also shown that in addition to VOCs, toxic gases, |
| can be summed up as such: An intense light is | | | | and chemicals, photocatalytic air purifiers can also |
| reflected onto a metal surface which in turns | | | | render gases like carbon monoxide and nitrous |
| oxidizes toxins from the air. In chemistry, | | | | oxide harmless - pollutants which can often |
| photocatalysis is defined as the acceleration of a | | | | escape standard air purifiers utilizing HEPA or ionic |
| photoreaction in the presence of a catalyst, and | | | | technology alone. |
| an example of this would be the oxidation of | | | | Those concerned with the possible health effects |
| organic contaminants such as bacteria and mold | | | | associated with PCO air purifiers will be glad to |
| using magnetic particles coated with titanium | | | | know that PCO air cleaners have been found to |
| dioxide nanoparticles, and agitated using a | | | | be much safer than ozone and ionization, and |
| magnetic field that is exposed to UV light. | | | | they work wonderfully well for those with |
| Therefore, this type of air purification technology | | | | asthma, allergies, and multiple chemical sensitivity. |
| converts harmful particulates and toxic gases into | | | | Nonetheless, one should keep in mind that minute |
| safer compounds such as carbon dioxide and | | | | levels of ozone are created during the catalytic |
| water. | | | | free radical generation process, but most PCO air |
| PCO air purifiers use broad-spectrum UV light | | | | purifiers only produce ozone levels in the 0.01 - |
| which reacts with a thin film of titanium dioxide, | | | | 0.04 ppm range (0.05 ppm is the maximum level |
| which, in the presence of water, creates hydroxyl | | | | allowed by federal law for medical devices). Most |
| radicals and super-oxide ions that "burn" VOCs | | | | people can detect ozone at 0.01 ppm, and the |
| and microorganisms adsorbed on the catalyst's | | | | general rule of thumb for those with sensitive |
| surface. With that in mind, many consumers may | | | | lungs is that if you can smell the air purifier |
| mistake UV air purification with PCO technology, | | | | working, you may not want to use it in your |
| and rightfully so. However, while both types of air | | | | home. |
| purifiers are similar in that they harness the | | | | |