Researchers at McGill Believe UV Lights Beneficial

December 24, 1999

Lights clue to building sickness

Sue Quinn

Thursday May 27, 1999

The bugs causing sick building syndrome - the phenomenon thought to prompt

several ailments, including headaches, tiredness and a flu-like malaise -

could be eradicated with ultraviolet lights, researchers say.

High intensity UV lights installed in an office block in Montreal, Canada,

were found, within three weeks, to almost wipe out the bacteria and fungi

that grew in the ducts and ventilation equipment, claim scientists from the

city's McGill university.

A survey of 113 employees, who never knew whether or not the lights were on,

found that 20% fewer work-related symptoms occurred when the lights were on.

When the lights were not operating, employees missed work through illness

attributed to poor air quality, but no work was missed when the lights were

on.

Eye irritation, headaches and difficulty concentrating occurred less

frequently with the lights on, although skin rashes were more common. The

researchers found, however, that the airborne concentration of microbes was

not significantly affected.

Dick Menzies, from McGill university, said between 20% and 30% of employees

working in sealed offices with elaborate ventilation, reported non-specific

symptoms including headache, fatigue, concentration lapses, sneezes and

coughs. In most cases, no cause could be found, but high concentrations of

bacteria and fungi were known to live on cooling coils, humidification

systems and ventilation ducts.

The germicidal properties of UV lights had been known for decades hence

their use in hospitals, food processing, and pharmaceuticals plants.

In the journal, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, the researchers

say: " Microbial contamination of systems may play an important part in the

pathogenesis of non-specific building-related illnesses. Source control

remains the most important [way to prevent] illnesses. However, if [these]

fail, UV lights could eradicate the contamination. "

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