UV Light to Kill Coronavirus
Researchers from Hiroshima University found that using Ultraviolet C light with a wavelength of 222 nanometers can effectively kill the SARS-CoV-2 virus and is safe for use around humans. This is the first-ever research that proves the efficacy of Ultraviolet C light in killing the novel coronavirus.
Previous studies involving 222 nm UVC have only studied its efficiency in eliminating seasonal coronaviruses that are structurally similar to the SARS-CoV-2, but nor the novel coronavirus itself.
A 30-second exposure to 222 nm UVC irradiation at 0.1 mW/cm2 was able to kill 99.7% of the SARS-CoV-2 viral culture in an in-vitro experiment by HU researchers. The American Journal of Infection Control published the results. The researchers used Ushio’s Care222TM krypton-chloride excimer lamp to conduct the tests.
They spread a 100 microliter virus solution onto a 9-centimeter sterile polystyrene plate. They placed the plates in a biosafety cabinet at room temperature to dry and then placed the Far-UVC lamp 24 centimeters above the surface of the plates.
UV Light to Kill Coronavirus
A wavelength of 222 nm UVC won’t cause harm to humans as it cannot penetrate the non-living, outer layer of the human skin or eye. This
is an equally potent yet safer alternative to the harmful 254 nm UVC commonly used for disinfecting healthcare facilities.But 254 nm UVC can only be used to disinfect empty rooms since its harmful when exposed to human tissues. On the other hand, 222 nm UVC is a promising disinfection system for more occupied places where nosocomial infections are a possibility.
But further studies are required to confirm the effectiveness and safety of 222 nm UVC in killing COVID-19 viruses in real-world situations since the study was only done in vitro.
Hiroshima University scientists received funding from the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development for four COVID-19 studies and the Far-UVC research was one among them.
Under the Hiroshima University CoV-Peace-Project, many laboratories are conducting research on the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
