air quality, infection control and IVF

Grace Filby made this Freedom of Information request to Health Protection Agency

The request was successful.

From: Grace Filby

18 September 2008

Dear Sir or Madam,

Please could you let me know what assessment have the HPA made of
UVC germicidal devices for indoor air quality and infection
control?

There is important news featured in over 100 publications in the
USA, of a seven-and-a half year study where clinical pregnancy
rates increased by an average of 18.2% when this technology is used
in the HVAC system of an IVF laboratory.

Please let me know if you would like further details.

Yours faithfully,

Grace Filby FRSA,
Churchill Fellow,
Reigate, Surrey

www.relax-well.co.uk
www.amazingphage.info

Link to this

From: Grace Filby

17 October 2008

Dear Sir or Madam,

You have sent no acknowledgement or reply to my Freedom of
Information request dated 18th September.

Now the response is overdue and you are breaking the law.

As I originally requested, please inform me: what assessment have
the HPA made of UVC germicidal devices for indoor air quality and
infection control?

Yours sincerely,

Grace Filby BA(Hons) Cert Ed FRSA
Churchill Fellow
Reigate
Surrey
http://www.relax-well.co.uk
http://www.amazingphage.info

Link to this

Grace Filby left an annotation (12 November 2008)

After re-submitting the question (which the HPA stated on the phone they had not received in September) this is the reply that I eventually received after 21 more working days. The link provided to their webpage still states "There is little evidence to show that air plays a significant role in the transmission of most healthcare-associated infections"!

However, if you look closely, it does say:

"ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT......CAN REDUCE AIRBORNE LEVELS OF PATHOGENS"

so they do know really.

Ref: 08/10/20/ws/8

11 November 2008

Dear Ms Filby,

Re: FOI request - UVC germicidal devices for indoor air quality and infection control

We write with reference to your letter of 18 October to Professor Catchpole and your FOI request of 17 October in which you ask what assessment the HPA has made of UVC germicidal devices for indoor air quality and infection control.

An HPA laboratory has tested 3 devices where ultraviolet light irradiation was used as a component of their antimicrobial action, two of which were aimed for use in hospitals.

In addition, the HPA is involved in the Rapid Review Panel, the role of which is to provide a prompt assessment of new and novel equipment, materials, and other products or protocols that may be of value to the NHS in improving hospital infection control and reducing hospital acquired infections. It does not conduct evaluations of products but reviews information and evidence provided by the manufacturer and then makes recommendations to the Department of Health. These assessments have included UV microbicidal devices. All the findings of the RRP are available on the HPA website:

http://www.hpa.org.uk/webw/HPAweb&Pa...

We hope this information is helpful but if you require any clarification or further assistance
please let us know.

Yours sincerely

George Stafford
Freedom of Information Officer
Health Protection Agency

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