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, 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.

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 office 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 allow these air purifiers to be operated 24/7, reducing pathogens in real-time. This is important because people are continuously breathing, 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 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 the efficacy of treatment over time.
• Pyure Technology: Pyure Technology is 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 and this decomposition leads to rapid pathogen cell death. Air purifier providers should have scientific studies that show kills rates for different pathogens. For example, Pyure recently released new study results for SARS-CoV-2, the pathogen that causes COVID-19, identifying 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

As your workplace adjusts to new occupational health recommendations for air quality, consider how your air purifier plays a role in pathogen protection. A hydroxyl generator built with Pyure Technology may be the solution you need to enhance safety and peace of mind.