| A germicidal UV lamp uses ultraviolet radiation to | | | | take fumes such as smog, tobacco smoke and |
| kill germs, viruses, bacteria, fungus, mold and | | | | chemical fumes out of the air. |
| other disease causing organisms that pass under | | | | They also don't get rid of odors unless they're |
| the lamp light. Many air purifiers contain a UV | | | | designed to produce ozone. Since ozone can |
| lamp, these devices use a fan to drive the air | | | | sometimes make people sick this isn't always a |
| under the lamp so the lamp can kill the germs in | | | | good idea. |
| the air. | | | | This means that UV light radiation needs to be |
| UV light radiation isn't harmful to people. The | | | | combined with other air cleaning technologies to |
| Centers for Disease Control recommends the use | | | | reduce or eliminate pollution in your home. These |
| of such devices to prevent spread of disease | | | | technologies include: HEPA air filters and air ionizers |
| including influenza. Persons with damaged immune | | | | to take particle pollution out of the air, an |
| systems, the elderly, caner patients, asthma | | | | activated carbon air filter to remove fumes from |
| sufferers, people with breathing problems and | | | | the air, and a programmable air ozone generator |
| others who are prone to infections should use | | | | to reduce odors. |
| germicidal UV lamps in their homes to reduce their | | | | The best solution is to get an all in one air purifier |
| chances of getting sick. | | | | that combines several of these technologies. Such |
| Germs aren't the only things that they can | | | | systems can be standalone units used in one |
| remove from the air. The lamps also kill funguses | | | | room of the home or all house systems |
| including mold causing funguses that cause | | | | connected to your forced air heating or air |
| allergies. | | | | conditioning system. |
| Using a germicidal UV lamp alone won't clean up | | | | It is also possible to buy standalone germicidal UV |
| the air in your home because such a lamp only | | | | lamp air purifiers and use them in conjunction with |
| kills organisms. These lamps don't get rid of dust | | | | other air purifiers. |
| and other solid particle pollutants. They also don't | | | | |