The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), released its much-anticipated guidance for reopening schools. The “Operational Strategy for K-12 Schools Through Phased Mitigation” document says “five key mitigation strategies are essential to safe delivery of in-person instruction and help to mitigate COVID-19 transmission in schools.” Included in the five strategies, along with universal and correct mask use, physical distancing, handwashing and respiratory etiquette, and contact tracing and quarantine protocols, is “cleaning and maintaining healthy facilities.” This key strategy then directs to the CDC’s dedicated “Cleaning, Disinfecting, and Ventilation” guidelines which include the following for ventilation in buildings:

“Consider using ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) as a supplement to help inactivate SARS-CoV-2, especially if options for increasing room ventilation are limited. Upper-room UVGI systems can be used to provide air cleaning within occupied spaces, and in-duct UVGI systems can help enhance air cleaning inside central ventilation systems.”

Aerapy upper-room UVGI (also known as upper air UV) units are currently installed in elementary, middle school, and high schools, as well as preschools, to satisfy this ventilation and air cleaning need. While air naturally moves to the upper room via convection currents, for faster pathogen reduction, our upper air UV units feature integrated fans for powerful airflow to draw air into the path of UV-C light which destroys pathogens in the air or renders them harmless. As the air circulates, each round trip from lower room to upper room and into the unit’s disinfecting UV-C light continues to reduce viral load. Because Aerapy upper air UV units are designed to operate while rooms are occupied air cleaning is continuous.

Aerapy UV disinfection technology achieved a 99.97% reduction of the SARS-CoV-2 pathogen in the air, in one air pass, in independent laboratory testing. Aerapy UV also achieved a 99.98% reduction on surfaces in two seconds (99.99% in three seconds). Results were achieved with proper installation and utilizing Aerapy’s proprietary sizing method. Learn more about the SARS-CoV-2 testing here.

For more on using UVGI to improve indoor air quality check out:

• Why Use Upper-room UVGI?
• CDC Ventilation Guidance: Upper-room UVGI and In-duct UVGI Systems for Air Cleaning
• Aerapy Upper Air UV

Contact us today to learn more about how Aerapy can improve the air quality at your school or other indoor environment.