
Continuous low doses of far ultraviolet C (far-UVC) light can kill airborne flu viruses without harming human tissues, according to a new study at the Center for Radiological Research at Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC). The findings suggest that use of overhead far-UVC light in hospitals, doctors’ offices, schools, airports, airplanes, and other public spaces could provide a powerful check on seasonal influenza epidemics, as well as influenza pandemics.
The study was published online today in Scientific Reports.
Scientists have known for decades that broad-spectrum UVC light, which has a wavelength of between 200 to 400 nanometers, or nm), is highly effective at killing bacteria and viruses by destroying the molecular bonds that hold their DNA together. This conventional UV light is routinely used to decontaminate surgical equipment.
“Unfortunately, conventional germicidal UV light is also a human health hazard and can lead to skin cancer and cataracts, which prevents its use in public spaces,” said study leader David J. Brenner, PhD, the Higgins Professor of Radiation Biophysics at the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons and director of the Center for Radiological Research at Columbia.
Several years ago, Brenner and his colleagues hypothesized that a narrow spectrum of ultraviolet light called far-UVC could kill microbes without damaging healthy tissue. “Far-UVC light has a very limited range and cannot penetrate through the outer dead-cell layer of human skin or the tear layer in the eye, so it’s not a human health hazard. But because viruses and bacteria are much smaller than human cells, far-UVC light can reach their DNA and kill them,” said Brenner, who is also a professor of environmental health sciences at Columbia’s Mailman School of Public Health.
Previously shown to kill MRSA
In their earlier studies, Brenner’s team demonstrated that far-UVC light was effective at killing MRSA (methicillin-resistant S. aureus) bacteria, a common cause of surgical wound infections but not harm human or mouse skin.
Influenza virus spreads from person to person mainly through fine liquid droplets, or aerosols, that become airborne when people with flu cough, sneeze, or talk. The new study was designed to test if far-UVC light could efficiently kill aerosolized influenza virus in the air, in a setting similar to a public space.
In the study, aerosolized H1N1 virus—a common strain of flu virus—was released into a test chamber and exposed to very low doses of 222 nm far-UVC light. A control group of aerosolized virus was not exposed to the UVC light. The far-UVC light efficiently inactivated the flu viruses, with about the same efficiency as conventional germicidal UV light.
“If our results are confirmed in other settings, it follows that the use of overhead low-level far-UVC light in public locations would be a safe and efficient method for limiting the transmission and spread of airborne-mediated microbial diseases, such as influenza and tuberculosis,” Brenner said.
At a price of less than $1,000 per lamp—a cost that would surely decrease if the lamps were mass produced—far-UVC lights are relatively inexpensive. “And unlike flu vaccines, far-UVC is likely to be effective against all airborne microbes, even newly emerging strains,” Brenner added.
Learn more: Can UV Light Fight the Spread of Influenza?
The Latest on: Far-UVC light
[google_news title=”” keyword=”far-UVC light” num_posts=”10″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
via Google News
The Latest on: Far-UVC light
- A powerful 'X-class' solar flare just hit Earth. Forecasters are bracing for more sun activity in the coming days.on March 30, 2023 at 11:01 am
A series of solar flares adds to a recent explosion of activity on the sun. It's a preview of solar holes, eruptions, and radiation blasts to come.
- UV light readings may be a better indicator for alien life than wateron March 30, 2023 at 5:01 am
Are we alone in the universe? A new study sets out a narrow parameter within UV light measurements in which alien life can evolve.
- ERGO222® – X ONE Grand Debut: Revolutionary 222nm Far-UVC Technology, Most Effective Human-Safe Disinfectoron March 29, 2023 at 2:20 pm
Virus-free human living environment with just X ONE”. ERGO Healthtech held the world’s first cleanest and safest film screening event on 22nd February 2023, celebrating this unprecedented “safest ...
- UVCeed, the World's Smartest Mobile UVC Light Sanitizer, Now Available on Amazonon March 28, 2023 at 3:44 pm
UVCeed today announced its flagship product, the world's smartest mobile UV light sanitizer, is now available for purchase on Amazon. The award-winning AI-powered UVC disinfectant device delivers ...
- Ultraviolet Light Absorber Market for Next Six Years: Focus on Growth and Investment Opportunities till 2029on March 27, 2023 at 2:13 am
The complete Ultraviolet Light Absorber Market report provides an overview of critical market elements, including ...
- Coronavirus Triggers New Usages Of UVC Light As Disinfectanton March 24, 2023 at 5:20 am
There’s also growing interest in what’s called “far UVC” — a shorter wavelength of UVC light that is shown to be as effective against airborne coronaviruses as more conventionally used UVC light — but ...
- Record claim for UVC LEDon March 23, 2023 at 3:45 pm
In contrast to soft molded lens, the rigid fused silica lens allows higher transmission of the UVC light which ensures stable long-life performance and high-temperature stability. Asahi Kasei ...
- With ultraviolet protection, one Boston cabaret may be safer from COVID-19 than almost anywhereon March 22, 2023 at 10:55 am
Brenner has been researching a new approach called Far UVC, which is what is being used in the Napoleon Room. It uses a shorter wavelength of ultraviolet light and his research shows that it's safe ...
- New Filtered Far UV-C Handheld Device Surface Reflectivity Studyon March 22, 2023 at 10:22 am
The study concluded that when using the handheld filtered Far UV-C device as intended it is safe for human use without protective gear on the skin or eyes and allows for approximately 10 times longer ...
via Bing News