Purchase District Health Department Deploys Novaerus Air Disinfection Technology
In rural areas where access to healthcare services is limited, maintaining a safe and healthy environment within public health facilities is critical. The Purchase District Health Department, serving five counties in western Kentucky, partnered with WellAir to deploy Novaerus air disinfection technology across its facilities to protect staff, immunocompromised patients, and the public from airborne pathogens.
Addressing a Critical Public Health Need in Rural Kentucky
The Purchase District Health Department is a public health agency with jurisdiction in Ballard, Carlisle, Fulton, Hickman, and McCracken counties in Kentucky. Operating across five regional locations, the agency provides essential services including Maternal and Child Health, Epidemiology and Chronic Disease Prevention, and Environmental Health.
Erin Stallins, Program Specialist at the Purchase District Health Department, advocated for installing continuous indoor air purification units within the agency’s headquarters and satellite offices.
“I learned how important our local health departments are to our community. Some of our facilities are in rural areas with minimal staffing, making it crucial for everyone to stay healthy to continue providing vital services.”
— Erin Stallins, Program Specialist, Purchase District Health Department
Selecting Novaerus NanoStrike Air Disinfection Technology
After reviewing the successful installation of WellAir’s Novaerus Protect 900 units in local schools, the health department evaluated Novaerus units for its clinical spaces. Powered by patented NanoStrike™ technology, Novaerus devices continuously deactivate airborne viruses, bacteria, and mold spores at the cellular level with low energy requirements and minimal maintenance.
Tailored Deployment Strategy Across Facilities
Working alongside WellAir IAQ specialists, the health department implemented a multi-tiered equipment strategy tailored to specific room sizes and foot traffic levels:
- High-Traffic Lobbies & Waiting Areas: Deployed the FDA-cleared Novaerus Defend 400. The Defend 400 combines triple-stage medical-grade HEPA and carbon filtration with NanoStrike plasma technology for maximum pathogen and particle reduction in large spaces.
- Clinical & Screening Rooms: Deployed portable Novaerus Protect 900 and Protect 200 wall-mounted units in examination rooms—including spaces utilized by the University of Kentucky for cancer screenings—to deliver localized airborne pathogen and mold reduction.
Impact on Indoor Environment and Patient Safety
The installation yielded immediate improvements in indoor environment quality. Staff reported that persistent musty odors in older facilities dissipated within the first week of operation. Beyond odor removal, continuous air disinfection created a safer clinical environment for vulnerable and immunocompromised patients.
“Providing a clean and safe environment for patients, especially those who are immunocompromised, is a top priority for us. Our NanoStrike technology was developed to protect against airborne pathogens, and it’s incredibly fulfilling to see it make a difference in communities that rely on these health services.”
— Kevin Devlin, CEO of WellAir
Expanding Air Protection to Community Warming Centers
Building on this success, the Purchase District Health Department is expanding its air disinfection initiative through a partnership with the Washington Street Community Development Corporation. The department is installing additional Novaerus devices at the Washington Street Warming Center, ensuring vulnerable residents seeking shelter from severe winter conditions breathe clean, disinfected air.
Conclusion
By implementing advanced Novaerus air disinfection technology across its five-county system, the Purchase District Health Department demonstrates how proactive indoor air quality management safeguards staff, protects vulnerable clinic patients, and ensures uninterrupted public health services in rural communities.
Download the Full Purchase District Health Department Case Study (PDF)