Frequently Asked Questions

We accept purchase inquiries on our website. Although we are currently focused on providing the highest quality medical grade air disinfection units for healthcare and businesses, we are happy to determine how Violett could help general consumers in their homes or office environments. Violett plans to have a product designed for consumers available in the future!

Ultraviolet (UV) light was first discovered over one hundred years ago and has been the subject of intense study for decades. The UV spectrum is divided into three sub-spectra: UV-A (315–400 nm), UV-B (280–315 nm), and UV-C (100–280 nm) each with unique characteristics. The UV-C (UVC) sub-spectra has been robustly studied for its ability to photochemically damage the nucleic acids of viruses, bacteria, mold, and protozoa thus providing germicidal properties which have proven extremely beneficial to human health.

Decades worth of testing prove that UVC light kills all known pathogens on earth, with the caveat that proper dosing is required to kill pathogens.

Violett emits UVC light at the peak germicidal wavelength of 265 nm and offers the sufficient UVC dose required (time x light intensity) to properly kill SARS-CoV-2 and other pathogens. 

With the rise of COVID-19 and the ensuing global pandemic researchers have rushed to find ways to stop the spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. SARS-CoV-2 is a member of Coronaviridae family of enveloped RNA viruses which includes the Middle East Respiratory Virus (MERS). This viral family has historically been shown to be susceptible to UVC light inactivation. To determine the minimum required UVC dose to inactivate SARS-CoV-2, the virus was inoculated onto various surface materials and exposed to pulsed UVC light for 1,3,5,10,15, and 30 min. It was found that UVC light inactivates SARS-CoV-2 at doses 34.9 to 52.5 mJ/cm2 which has been supported by multiple other findings by independent labs. Since UVC emitters are commercially available and effectively kill SARS-CoV-2 they represent a very attractive option to limit viral spread.

UVC is a proven technology but is used ineffectively in other currently available air purification devices. For most of those, the UVC light is not given enough time to interact with the germs in the air and is thus used ineffectively at killing those germs. As such, their UVC is providing more marketing value than substance, and the filter in these products is doing the majority of the work removing viruses from the air.  

The two key factors to determine UVC effectiveness are intensity and time, which has historically led UVC light to be far more effective as a surface sterilizer than anti-germicidal treatment for circulating air. Most products simply don’t expose air to appropriate levels of UVC light to effectively kill airborne pathogens. Violett’s patent-pending technology uses a cyclonic air handling system to increase residence time of entrapped viruses and germs, and the device doses these particles with a high intensity UVC light.

Violett is not just another UVC company – we are introducing a paradigm shift in air disinfection methodology. Our cyclonic air handling system uses UVC light and advanced materials that kills germs in the air with a single pass – the key to real-time prevention of disease transmission with UVC light.

In short, HEPA filters cannot protect us well enough. While HEPA filtration is good for filtering out particulate dust, pollen, and larger germ particles like bacteria, it is not as effective at pulling small particles like aerosolized viruses out of the air. Small airborne viruses like the SARS-CoV-2 virus make it through the HEPA filter at a higher rate than the standard 99.97% HEPA claim. This is proven in Violett’s independent 3 party testing, which shows that Violett’s UV-C light more than triples the effectiveness of killing an airborne SARS-CoV-2 surrogate virus when compared to HEPA alone. 

Basic Filtration:
Most air purifiers do not use HEPA filters due to cost and flow restriction caused by these higher performing filters. While standard non-HEPA filters provide help with things like dust and pet dander, they do not provide much if any protection from airborne germs. Some of these products add UVC light – typically by adding a low powered mercury bulb. The UVC intensity and residence time of the germs do not lead to any meaningful dose and germs that make it through the filter will not be killed at a high rate, meaning the germs will blow back out into your space with a new opportunity to infect you.

Ionization:
Some products have an ‘ionization’ process that puts charged particles out into the air which can attach to and eliminate particles and germs in the air. This can be found in both stand-alone air cleaning products and HVAC integrated products. The most common ions utilized in this technology are Hydroxyl and Hydrogen Peroxide, which are both found to be hazardous to human health
https://ucanr.edu/sites/superfund/files/142534.pdfThese ions are neutralized very quickly in the air, and while they can perform well in small testing chambers, they fail to provide safety as room size increases. Cost is generally high for these devices. When holistically considering human health, putting additional chemicals into the air in your space is not going to be the best solution.

Plasma: Plasma-based solutions have been shown to kill germs effectively. However, the process requires expensive materials and components, leading to an exceedingly high product cost and operating costs to achieve these results. UVC light, when used properly, can meet and exceed the results produced by plasma at a much lower cost to the customer.

‍PCO/PECO:
Photocatalytic oxidation and photoelectrochemical oxidation are technologies used by some air purification technologies to kill airborne germs. These products use low energy UV light to activate a photocatalytic process, typically on the surface of their filter, in which ions are formed that can destroy germs. When tested, these products typically underperform when compared to basic HEPA filtering products – primarily because they process air slowly for the process to work. This limits germicidal results for a whole room. UVC + HEPA provides a much more effective whole room solution over PCO/PECO based products.

Violett’s UVC emitters should be replaced every 2 years. Using a UVC light sensor, we will indicate if replacement is needed earlier or later than this date.

Yes. While prolonged exposure to UVC light can cause temporary eye and skin damage, it is important to note that Violett’s UVC light is fully enclosed within the air disinfection unit, allowing for completely safe operation in close proximity to your loved ones. 

No, as verified by 3rd party independent testing. UVC light has been found to produce ozone at wavelengths under 250nm, with risk of ozone production higher as wavelength decreases. 222nm, or ‘far-UVC’ is growing in popularity but contains a higher risk of harmful ozone production. Violett emits at the peak germicidal wavelength of 265nm, which is proven to not produce ozone or any other harmful byproducts.

Violett has five fan-speeds, ranging in noise from whisper quiet to 60-70dB when on high speed depending on product size.

Violett has a HEPA filter which should be replaced once per year, and pre-filters that should be replaced every 3 months. 

Violett makes a range of products appropriate for all sizes of rooms. Our specialists will discuss your exact needs and develop a personalized plan optimized to clean your unique space.

For even cleaning of the entire room, central placement would work best based on Violett’s 360 degree air inlet and outlet. However, often the most effective placement will be as close as comfortable to where people are gathering to quickly process and disinfect the air being breathed.

Violett is in the process of gaining this approval through the FDA and based on our test results we are confident this approval will be granted. The FDA certification threshold is very low, and Violett hopes to establish a new air quality standard of acceptance for medical grade air cleaning products