Ultraviolet light is primarily used to remove what from the air?

Ultraviolet light is primarily used to remove bacteria and spores from the air due to its ability to inactivate or kill microorganisms. When UV light is exposed to these pathogens, it penetrates their cells and damages their DNA or RNA, rendering them unable to reproduce and effectively eliminating them from the environment. This makes UV light an effective method for disinfecting air, especially in settings such as hospitals, water treatment facilities, and places where maintaining a hygienic atmosphere is essential.

While the other options touch on important aspects of air quality control, they do not accurately reflect the primary use of ultraviolet light. Dust and virus particles may be filtered or removed using different methods, chemicals and pollutants involve various forms of air purification technologies beyond UV treatment, and humidity and allergens are generally addressed through humidity control systems and HEPA filters rather than UV light. Therefore, the focus on bacteria and spores highlights the specific effectiveness of UV light in microbial control.