Why Hydroxyl Generators Like Pyure Are the Best Air Purifiers to Kill Viruses and Other Pathogens

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When you know you need an air purifier to protect against pathogens and pollutants, why should you choose a hydroxyl generator like Pyure Technology? While there are many types of air purifiers on the market, built with different technologies and mechanisms of action, not all air purifiers have the goal of killing pathogens. Let’s take a look at why a Pyure hydroxyl generator is the best air purifier to kill viruses and other pathogens and pollutants.

First, What is a Hydroxyl?

Hydroxyl radicals are natural oxidizing agents which remove contaminants from the air. In fact, this is the main way nature cleanses the air outside, using hydroxyls generated from the sun’s UV energy. Hydroxyl generators bring this natural cleansing power of hydroxyls indoors.

Are Hydroxyls Safe to Be Around?

Since hydroxyls are found in our natural environment, hydroxyl generators like Pyure aim to recreate these natural levels indoors so that walking through your indoor environment is just as safe as walking through a park. Scientific studies prove this: hydroxyl generators are safe to operate around people, plants, and animals and do not negatively affect other materials (like plastics) in the environment. The ability to operate hydroxyl generators in occupied spaces allows these air purifiers to be operated 24/7, reducing pathogens in real-time. This is important because people continuously breathe, introducing new pathogens into the space, while particles float around from dirty to clean spaces. Air exchanges just don’t cut it when the next breath introduces a new risk.

How Exactly Do Hydroxyl Generators Work?

Hydroxyl generators break down volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by producing hydroxyl radicals. There are some differences among hydroxyl generators, however.

• Photocatalytic Oxidation (PCO): PCOs are a type of hydroxyl generator that requires a catalyst surface to produce hydroxyls and, therefore, can only target VOCs that pass through the device. The production of hydroxyls is limited to the surface area of the catalyst used inside the device. This surface degrades as contaminants poison the catalyst, reducing treatment efficacy over time.
• Pyure Technology: Pyure’s technology offers a unique type of hydroxyl generator that produces hydroxyls and diffuses secondary oxidants into the treatment space. The organic oxidants decompose VOCs via rapid reactions—extending the cleansing effect in air and on surfaces.

To see Pyure’s hydroxyl generator cleansing in action, watch this video:

How Do Hydroxyl Generators Kill Viruses and Other Pathogens?

The hydroxyl radicals decompose proteins, lipids, and other components in the cell walls of viruses and other pathogens, leading to rapid pathogen cell death. Air purifier providers should have scientific studies that show kill rates for different pathogens. For example, Pyure’s study results for SARS-CoV-2, the pathogen that causes COVID-19, identify the kill rate and time to achieve results. These kill rates cannot be replicated by filters and other systems that just attempt to trap pathogens based on size.

Why Are Pyure Hydroxyl Generators the Best Air Purifiers for Killing Viruses?

How do other air purification technologies stack up against Pyure hydroxyl generators? The chart below shows several key virus-killing differentiators of Pyure Technology hydroxyl generators, notably:

• The cascading effect of oxidants reacting and killing pathogens outside the device
• The way the ongoing reactions continue throughout the space, reaching surface pathogens

Can your air purifier technology achieve these results?

Table 1: Air Purification Technology for Pathogen Protection

Choose a Pyure Hydroxyl Generator When You Need Pathogen Protection

If your workplace requires actively managing pathogens or air pollutants, consider how cleaning the air directly in the environment could make a difference. A hydroxyl generator built with Pyure Technology may be the solution to enhance safety and help meet business requirements.