As students returned to UNOH this month, the university is prepared for their arrival by investing in more than 200 hydroxyl generators to improve sanitation of the campus and mitigate the spread of COVID-19.
In an effort to make the return to campus and in-person learning more safe, officials at the University of Northwestern Ohio used federal CARES Act funding to purchase and install the new equipment. Hydroxyl generators were developed for NASA to clean and sanitize the air using ultraviolet light. The university turned to OMG Sanitizing Ohio to purchase and install the units in an effort to adhere to guidelines set out by the CDC and the Ohio Department of Health that recommend increasing air flow and air filtration as much as possible to help limit the spread of COVID-19.
The hydroxyl generators look similar to portable space heaters and are EPA registered sanitizing systems. They work by turning water vapor into hydrogen peroxide particles, which in turn sanitize the air by attacking viruses. The units are part of a multi-faceted plan by the university to sanitize surfaces and provide well ventilated areas that will be safe for students and staff. In addition to the recent measures, University of Northwestern Ohio will continue to enforce restrictions on visitation between living spaces, enforce social distancing rules, and mandate mask usage where necessary. The university will continue to work with the state and local health departments as well to coordinate testing and assist in contact tracing.