19世纪70年代，利用太阳辐射作为紫外线辐射（UVR）源，人们开始进行研究，以了解由紫外线吸收引起的生物体分子变化。在20世纪，随着电汞蒸气弧光灯的发明，一种可控的、经济的杀菌、短波长、253.7纳米UVR光源成为可能。利用杀菌紫外线灯，开始了多个学科中紫外线对生物系统影响的系统研究。已经研究了紫外线对生物系统的影响，以了解如何保护人类免受危险暴露，以及紫外线通过灭活食物、水和空气中的微生物来阻止传染病传播的能力。 自20世纪末到21世纪全球生物恐怖主义事件升级以来，减轻建筑物内聚集环境中的生物威胁对紫外线空气和表面消毒和去污具有进一步的意义。此外，空气传染源的多药耐药菌株也在增加。结核分枝杆菌最为突出。它每年有20亿人感染，200万人死亡，是传染病中最大的成人杀手。 需要更多地了解紫外线空气消毒的潜力。本报告总结了紫外线空气消毒的知识现状，并为未来的研究、标准化和测试程序提供了建议。报告用英文写成，并附有法文和德文的简短摘要。它由69页33个图表和3个表格组成。如果购买翻译，则包括英文版本。

In the 1870s, using solar radiation as the ultraviolet radiation (UVR) source, studies were initiated to understand the molecular changes in living organisms produced by UVR absorption. In the 20th century, with the invention of electric mercury-vapor arc lamps, a controllable, economical source of germicidal, short wavelength, 253,7 nm UVR became available. Systematic study of UVR impacts on biological systems across several disciplines began, using germicidal UVR lamps. UVR impacts on biological systems have been studied to provide understanding for protection of human beings from hazardous exposure and the capacity of UVR to stem the spread of infectious diseases by inactivating microorganisms in food, water and air. Since global incidents of bioterrorism have escalated from the late 20th century into the 21st, mitigation of biological threats in congregate settings within buildings has taken on further significance for UVR air and surface disinfection and decontamination. Additionally, multi-drug resistant strains of airborne infectious agents have been increasing. Mycobacterium tuberculosis is the most prominent. With 2 billion persons infected and 2 million dying per year, it is the single largest adult killer among infectious diseases. A greater understanding of the potential of UVR air disinfection is needed. This report summarises the present state of knowledge of UVR air disinfection and provides recommendations for future work in research, standardization and testing procedures.The Report is written in English, with a short summary in French and German. It consists of 69 pages with 33 figures and 3 tables.English version is included in the case of purchasing a translation.