The 2026 IUVA Americas Conference brought researchers, engineers, regulators and manufacturers together at Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, from October 4 to 7. Dr. Matthew Hardwick represented Airmid Healthgroup with a podium presentation on germicidal UV testing using ASHRAE Standard 185.1. He called the conference “tremendous.”
Airmid’s ASHRAE 185.1 Germicidal UV Testing Presentation
On Wednesday, October 7, Dr. Hardwick presented “Performance Validation of a Germicidal UV Air Cleaning System Using ASHRAE 185.1.” His co-authors were Dr. John Ryan, Dr. John McKeon, Angela Southey and Oliver Dsa.
The study tested a UV air disinfection device with the ASHRAE 185.1 method for UV-C systems in air-handling units and air ducts. It used three challenge organisms:
- Virus: Influenza A virus (H1N1)
- Bacterium: Staphylococcus epidermidis
- Fungus: Aspergillus niger
The other speakers in his session were Bill Palmer of AiriA International, Dr. Steve Martin of Blueprint Biosecurity and Dr. Toni Mullin of Dalhousie University, the conference host.
Key Themes in Germicidal UV Testing and Practice
Three topics were clearly top of mind in sessions and conversations:
- Standardizing test methods: better standardization of how GUV performance is tested in air and on surfaces
- Upper-room GUV in healthcare: how upper-room systems are being used in healthcare settings
- Faster GUV training: getting HVAC designers and technicians trained in GUV more quickly
When germicidal UV testing follows consistent, consensus-based methods, engineers, specifiers and facility managers can compare technologies fairly. Manufacturers also get credible data to back their performance claims.
Industry Presentations
Light Progress and Mackwell Health both gave strong presentations. Light Progress CEO Giulia Santi presented “Quantitative Assessments of ASHRAE 241 Conformance and the Contributions of GUV Systems,” a field-based study in a senior living facility.
Connecting at Pier 21
The conference reception was held at the Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21. There, Dr. Hardwick spent time with Sam Guzman of American Ultraviolet, Perri Katzman of IUVA, and Dr. Steve Martin and Dr. Kelsey Quinn of Blueprint Biosecurity.
Germicidal UV Testing at Airmid Healthgroup
Airmid’s germicidal UV testing services help manufacturers show how their technologies perform against recognized methods. They include ASHRAE 185.1 testing for UV-C systems in air-handling units and air ducts, and GUV regulatory testing. In our aerobiology testing chambers and ISO/IEC 17025:2017-accredited virology laboratory, we test devices against viral, bacterial and fungal organisms under controlled environmental conditions.
Thank you to IUVA and Dalhousie University for a well-organized conference. If you’d like to discuss germicidal UV testing for your technology, get in touch with our team.
Related Tests and Services
- ASHRAE 185.1-2020: Test Method for UV-C Disinfection in Air-Handling Units and Air Ducts
- GUV Regulatory Testing: Airmid at APIC 2026
- Aerobiology Testing Chambers
- ISO/IEC 17025:2017-accredited Virology Laboratory and Services
Related Blogs
- ASHRAE 185.1 Testing of Germicidal UV Air Cleaning: Airmid Healthgroup at IUVA Americas 2026
- An Overview of the ASHRAE 185 Series
- Airmid Healthgroup at IUVA World Congress 2025
