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| Dr. Richard L. Corsi |
SANTA CLARITA, CA -- Developing and distributing a vaccine to combat Covid-19 is only half the battle. According to experts, if we want to eradicate the disease, other strategies will also be required such as UV-lighting improved filtration systems in buildings.
According
to Richard Corsi, Dean of the College of Engineering and Computer
Science at Portland State University, although the CDC suggests that schools
think about ventilation improvements, there is presently no specific guidance
on the CDC website on how to do this.
Current
CDC guidance on this topic states:
“Consider ventilation system upgrades or improvements and
other steps to increase the delivery of clean air and dilute potential
contaminants in the school.
"Obtain consultation from experienced Heating,
Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) professionals when considering changes
to HVAC systems and equipment.”
 |
| Dr. Edward Nardell |
In
a recent study published by Edward Nardell, Harvard University professor
in the Departments of Environmental Health and Immunology and Infectious
Diseases, stated, “No one doubts the efficacy of germicidal UV in killing small
microorganisms and pathogens.
"I
think the bigger controversy, if there is any, is misperceptions around
safety.”
Given that significant costs may be involved to install such systems funds have been earmarked as part of the $1.9 Trillion Relief Fund for ventilation improvements.
Answers
on UV Light and Air Filtration can be found today in Santa Clarita, CA
Expertise
on how to best deploy UV light and filtration systems is in Santa
Clarita, CA where a cluster of five companies have been operating there since
even pre-Covid days.
Companies like UltraViolet Devices, Inc., UV Resources, Applied Companies and Visual Terrain, and 4 Star Lighting, offer a wealth of knowledge as Covid-19 is not the first crisis they have had to deal with – the wildfires in California last year for one, helped develop expertise in the elimination of micro-particles and contaminants in the air, which include micro-organisms such as the SARS-COV-2 virus aka COVID 19.
 |
| Dr. Anish Mathur |
According
to Dr. Anish Mathur, Vice President of Innovation and Technology
at UltraViolet Devices, Inc., “since the late 1800s scientists
have known that ultraviolet-C rays (UVC light), which are shorter wavelengths
of ultraviolet light rays emitted by the sun can kill micro-organisms."
The company has been busy installing UVC
lights within air filtration systems of buildings such as hospital, helping
purify the quality of air in places where there’s no possibility to open
windows.
 |
| Daniel Jones |
The
V-MAX air disinfection technology (UV-C light), supplied by UltraViolet Devices
Inc., for example, is placed in an HVAC system to improve indoor air quality.
“The first layer of defense is high
efficiency filters. There is also UV-C disinfection sanitation robots in retail
settings with biotechnology that have been deployed in grocery store that run
on battery that are used for surface disinfectant,” Mathur stated.
The
UV-C light robots are part of a multi-layered approach as are UV-C disinfection
in ducts and air purifiers.
Another
local company, UV Resources, has been specializing in duct
work and upper air germicidal UV-C light figures for the past 23 years.
“Upper
air UV systems work by creating an irradiation zone within the upper region of
most any space, and have been especially useful in healthcare settings, but are
also found in food, commercial, and institutional applications,” says Daniel
Jones, Vice President at UV Resources.
 |
| Claire Barnett |
Applied Companies has taken it a step further and specializes in the installation of Environmental Control Units (ECUs), that are used to cool or heat sophisticated electronic equipment used in some of the most advanced systems deployed by NASA, US military and large industrial companies.
It offers vast experience in engineering
specialized Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) filtration
products to make atmospheric environments safe for personnel and high value
assets.
If
you’re not sure where to even start, Visual
Terrain, is there to help. The company has been working with
companies and communities to help them determine which Germicidal Lighting
products and filtration systems, presented by third-party vendors make the most
sense, including surface, upper-air, and HVAC disinfection systems.
 |
| Lauren Weste |
"There is not a lot of awareness about indoor
air," said Claire Barnett, founder of the Healthy Schools Network.
She said the problem has worsened though since the US
Environmental Protection Agency stopped funding its indoor air program for
schools 10 years ago.
Neither CDC or the Department of Education has expertise on
indoor air in schools now, she said.
Steps taken by the Santa Clarita city
government can serve as an example of what communities across the U.S. should
consider taking moving forward.
“UV-C is now installed in the City Hall, the
maintenance building, a library, and we are working on other institutes as
well. The goal is to incorporate it in all city facilities,” said Lauren
Weste, Santa Clarita City Councilwomen.
Viruses, including COVID-19 and beyond, are
unfortunately here for the long haul. Investments need to be made, like
those made in Santa Clarita, to prepare for a safer future.
CONTACT:
David
Margolis
Principal
Conway PR & Marketing
Tel:
917 331 4855
Email: david@conway.com
www.conway.com
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