A breathing air compressor having an inlet air ultraviolet C light radiation emitter and viral and bacterial filtration system for air introduced into the air compressor. The viral and bacterial filtration system includes a cylindrical housing that includes a UVC radiation emitter mounted in a flow-through UVC radiation chamber, an inlet air particulate filter, and a flowmeter for measuring the volume and rate of flow of air to destroy viruses and bacteria present in any air flowing through the UVC chamber that is input air to an air compressor. The air compressor is typically used for generating breathing air for persons such as firemen and SCUBA divers. A controller and monitor unit is connected to the UVC radiation emitter and the flowmeter to shut down the air compressor to prevent air starvation.