We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Industry

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is a Germicidal Purifier?

By Erica Stratton
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 2,658
Share

A germicidal purifier is a device used to cleanse air or water to make it suitable for human consumption. These purifiers are available for both home and industrial use. Though there are many different ways to create a germicidal purifier to filter air and water, the term "germicidal" is most often used in conjunction with ultraviolet disinfection.

Whether they are built for water or air, many germicidal purifiers make use of ultraviolet, or UV, light. The water or air is exposed to a bulb, which gives out UV radiation. Prolonged exposure alters the deoxyribonucleic acid, or DNA, of many germs, rendering them unable to replicate themselves.

A low-tech method of creating a germicidal purifier involves exposing water to UV light. This technique is called solar cleansing. The untreated water is poured into clear plastic bottles, which are placed on a roof in full sunlight. After a minimum of six hours of full exposure, many of the germs will be killed. This method is recommended for survivalists or residents of poor countries where commercial germicidal purifiers aren't always available.

Other methods of cleansing used in a germicidal purifier include filtering, adding disinfectants to the water, and exposing it to ozone. Filters can be made of sand, lava, or charcoal. They can screen out large impurities in water or air and often require the element to be pumped through them. Fluoride and chlorine are disinfectants often added to city water supplies to kill germs and prevent tooth decay. Ozone purifiers work by oxygenating the water more than is tolerable for most microorganisms.

Home air and water purification devices are sold to people with allergies or who are concerned about impurities in their water or air causing illness. They come in a range of designs and prices and have filters, which must be separately bought and replaced regularly. Home air purifiers will sometimes add chemicals to the air, while most home water purification devices work by UV radiation or filtration, which leaves no additives behind.

A germicidal purifier may be used on a large-scale by a cleanup company or at the site of a natural disaster. Water-processing plants also make use of the many kinds of germicidal purifiers. A germicidal purifier using ozone is too intense for day-to-day use and is usually only used for cleanup after fires or by forensics teams. It is, however, sometimes used in home purifiers.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-a-germicidal-purifier.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.