Hartford-Hartford City Council is exploring to provide some municipal buildings with an additional line of defense against COVID-19-ultraviolet radiation systems can kill airborne viruses and bacteria.
On Monday, the City Council’s Health and Human Services Committee heard sales pitches from a company that produces the technology, which has been used for decades to control the spread of diseases but has become increasingly popular during the coronavirus pandemic. The city council is considering a resolution urging multiple city departments to use ultraviolet sterilization exposure and seeking funding for the initiative.
If Hartford is to install UV systems in urban buildings, it may be necessary to bid on the project. However, on Tuesday, committee members heard from a specific supplier, a company called Pure Light Clean Air in Florida.
The speech was made after an electrical contractor in Hartford heard from a friend, former city clerk John Bazzano, that a city council member “takes ultraviolet light very seriously,” and the contractor explained in a virtual meeting Say.
Tom Beaudoin, president of T & T Electrical Contractors, said he worked with Pure Light Clean Air and contacted Democratic Congressman James "Jimmy" Sanchez Jr., who invited the two companies to attend Tuesday's meeting.
Lighting systems are usually installed in HVAC ducts to prevent people from being exposed to direct radiation. It is most common in hospitals, but since the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended in February that schools should consider using ultraviolet radiation to supplement other preventive measures. Has begun to rise. Measures, "especially when options for increased ventilation and filtration are limited."
For example, the Stonington School is discussing the possibility of adding ultraviolet lamps to their air handlers.
Industry analysts predict that the global market for UV air purifiers will grow from USD 335 million in 2020 to USD 682.9 million in 2026.
Corey Deshotels, President of Pure Light Clean Air, told council members that installing a UVGI system in a 100,000 square foot building would cost approximately US$100,000 to 150,000.
Beaudoin stated that the city can apply for grants from the Environmental Protection Agency or FEMA, adding: “We can raise funds for these projects by ourselves until we get funding through the grants after approval.”
The Hartford Health and Human Services Committee finally voted to send Sanchez’s resolution back to the full committee with a favorable recommendation.
Democratic Congressman Marilyn Rossetti emphasized that the resolution will only guide city staff to find funding opportunities for the potential use of ultraviolet technology. She said this idea is valuable.
"Anything that makes us safer, we should definitely look into it," she said. "But in fact, this is looking for funds for that kind of thing, and now, I don't believe that there is money to do that kind of thing."
You can contact Rebecca Lurye at rlurye@courant.com.