UV Light Nearly Doubles Vacuum's Effectiveness in Reducing Carpet Microbes
Nov 11, 2010
By , ISSA
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New research suggests that the addition of ultraviolet light to the brushing and suction of a vacuum cleaner can almost double the removal of potentially infectious microorganisms from a carpet's surface when compared to vacuuming alone.
Researchers say the findings suggest that incorporating the germicidal properties of UV light into vacuuming might have promise in reducing allergens and pathogens from carpets, as well.
"What this tells us is there is a commercial vacuum with UV technology that's effective at reducing surface microbes. This has promise for public health, but we need more data," says Timothy Buckley, associate professor and chair of environmental health sciences at Ohio State University and senior author of the study. "Carpets are notorious as a source for exposure to a lot of bad stuff, including chemicals, allergens and microbes. We need tools that are effective and practical to reduce the associated public health risk. This vacuum technology appears to be a step in the right direction."
The research appears online in the journal Environmental Science & Technology.
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