Question 1

Why is proper sizing to my indoor air volume important?

Accepted Answer

The Air Reactors work a bit differently than a typical filter based air purification system which trap contaminants in a filter.  The Air Reactors produce super OH Radicals which are propelled out of the machine and into the indoor environment.  In early testing it was found that one Model 101 would address up to approximately 12,000 cubic feet of air (1500 sq. ft. with 8 ft ceilings) with adequate concentration of the OH radicals to adequately reduce existing mold and mycotoxins (no active leaks).  In the case of an active leak or active mold growth it is recommended that you use two Model 101 for the same 12,000 cu. ft. of air volume.  This doubles the concentration of the OH Radicals to ensure they can destroy the mold spores and mycotoxins that are expelled from the mold colony at a rate faster than mold can reproduce or create mycotoxins.  Additionally, it has been found that most homes do not have adequate air mixing between levels and therefore it is recommended to have at least one Model 101 on each level (required number of units is always based on the air volume on that level).

Question 2

I have a large home, can I just get one Air Reactor and move it around?

Accepted Answer

Theoretically, if you had no live mold (spores are dormant), you could move an Air Reactor around and destroy the mold spores and mycotoxins that were present in your environment, but if there are live mold spore/colonies then being undersized can potentially make things worse.  When mold senses it is under attack it reacts by rapidly producing more spores and expels them out into the air in great numbers.  Similarly, if the species of mold produces mycotoxins, it will ramp up production of mycotoxins in an effort to defeat the threat.  The goal with maintaining adequate OH Radical concentration is to overcome the mold's defenses and destroy it.  Even with proper sizing you will have an initial period where the environment gets slightly worse before it gets better - due to the defensive measures the mold puts up in an attempt to survive.  See the Sizing Page (https://www.hitechairreactor.com/sizing)for more information.

Question 3

What type of UV Light is used in the HiTech Air Solutions Air Reactor?

Accepted Answer

The Air Reactor uses UVC Germicidal Bulbs.

Question 4

What wavelength light are the UV Bulbs used in the HiTech Air Solutions Air Reactor?

Accepted Answer

The UVC Bulbs used in the Air Reactor have a wavelength of 254nm.

Question 5

Do the UVC bulbs used in the HiTech Air Solutions Air Reactor produce Ozone?

Accepted Answer

No, the Air Reactor does not create ozone. There are some UVC bulbs that have a secondary emission at a wavelength of 185nm which do create ozone but the UV-2C bulbs used in the Air Reactor only emit UV light in the 254nm wavelength.
 
Interestingly, UV light in the 240-315nm wavelength will break the third oxygen atom out of the Ozone (O3) and convert it back to Oxygen (O2). The peak Ozone destruction occurs at the 254nm wavelength. So, a UV-C lamp at the 254nm wavelength will actually destroy ozone!

Here's one interesting paper that discusses Ozone and UV Lamps: Claus, H. (2021), Ozone Generation by Ultraviolet Lamps†. Photochem Photobiol, 97: 471-476. https://doi.org/10.1111/php.13391(https://doi.org/10.1111/php.13391)

Question 6

I heard it's not safe to look at UVC light but I see blue light coming out of the front of the Model 101.  Should I be concerned about looking at this light?

Accepted Answer

https://static.wixstatic.com/media/undefined
UV light is not reflected by most surfaces but adsorbed and thus cannot exit through the outlet grill of the Air Reactor. The “blue-green” visible light seen when the unit is operating is characteristic for the UVC lamp, and is not an indication of UV radiation emission.

The chart below shows a typical light spectrum output from our UVC Bulbs.  You can see the 100% output at 254nm (UVC) along with low value outputs at several wavelengths in the visible range, which mix to give the blue-green light you see coming from the Air Reactor.

https://static.wixstatic.com/media/cfcac4_d8363ba3b57b46f8a1c36095a8798c94~mv2.jpg

Question 7

How much EMF does the Model 101 produce?

Accepted Answer

The Model 101 was evaluated using a Gigahertz Solutions NFA1000 3D EMF Meter. 
 
Background EMF in the room was 0.15 mili-gauss
The reading 4ft away from the Model 101 was 0.20 mili-gauss
The reading 3ft away from the Model 101 was 0.30 mili-gauss
The reading 2ft away from the Model 101 was 1.00 mili-gauss
 
Placing the meter directly on top of the front of the unit, over top of the two fan motors, gave a 41 mili-gauss reading.

Question 8

I've heard that Hydroxyls can damage my DNA.  Is it safe to be around the Air Reactor when it is running?

Accepted Answer

It’s important to distinguish between Atmospheric Hydroxyl Radicals like are produced by the HiTech and Biological or in vivo Hydroxyl Radicals which are produced inside the body.  It is the in vivo hydroxyl radicals that are produced by the body’s immune system that are damaging to DNA.  Our skin and mucosal tissue (eyes, sinuses, mouth, throat, lungs) are in no way harmed by atmospheric hydroxyl radicals as humans have been exposed to them since we’ve been on the earth, and they don’t penetrate beyond the epidermis or mucosal outer layers of cells in the body.  When you walk outside on a sunny day you are exposed to 500,000 - 2,000,000 atmospheric hydroxyl radicals per cubic centimeter.

Frequently asked questions