HomeUltraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) is effective at inactivating airborne bacteria and in reducing the risk of M. tuberculosis transmission.55–57 Upper-room UVGI directs UV-C energy to the upper portions of a room to create a disinfection zone so that pathogens in the air that pass through this disinfection zone are inactivated.58 The effectiveness of upper-room UVGI depends on multiple factors, including UVGI dose, air circulation, ventilation, temperature, humidity, room configuration and proper UVGI system installation and maintenance.
The interest in UVGI in IPC is growing, and safety and application standards are in development. However, safety data, real-world effectiveness and accepted industry standards remain limited. For further information on UVGI, refer to the CDC environmental guidance document.49
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