Numerous studies from the past show effective treatment of viruses

Does UV inactivate Corona Virus?

Admin 13/05/2020

It has been tough few years for Australia since COVID-19 arrived in January 2020. Although now we are protected by vaccination and can all enjoy life without harsh lockdowns, getting sick with COVID-19 is still a concern. What can help to prevent getting infected, particularly if member of our household is down with COVID-19?

Research made by Japanese scientists shows the effectiveness of 222-nm UVC irradiation on viable SARS-CoV-2. Results of this study approve using this technology to stop COVID-19 extension and infection prevention. Remarkable, according to the research UVC can be used in all premises: occupied and empty. The study published in the American Journal of Infection Control, shows, that 99.7% of the SARS-CoV-2 cells were destroyed within a 30-second exposure to 222 nm UVC irradiation at 0.1 mW/cm2. Furthermore, such wavelength considered safe for use around people and does not damage skin or eyes, which means that in some cases you can leave UVC on when your pets are at home.

Reference: “Effectiveness of 222-nm ultraviolet light on disinfecting SARS-CoV-2 surface contamination” by Hiroki Kitagawa, MD; Toshihito Nomura, MD, PhD; Tanuza Nazmul, MBBS; Keitaro Omori, MD, PhD; Norifumi Shigemoto, MD, PhD; Takemasa Sakaguchi, MD, PhD and Hiroki Ohge, MD, PhD, 4 September 2020, American Journal of Infection Control.

To proof this theory Italian scientists placed the virus cells in little drops of water in various concentrations, which imitated sneezing and cough among infected people. The cells were then exposed to ultraviolet light with the different wavelength. They have investigated influence of 3 UV types: UV-C that is entirely engrossed by Earth's ambience, the most common long-wave radiation (UV-A) and medium-wave radiation (UV-B), which get to our planet’s surface – heats the air and makes our skin tanned.

As data shows, the virus is highly susceptible to ultraviolet light: an enormous amount of virus cells exceeded the amount exhaled by an infected person, and stop their extension after only 9 minutes of the impact of UVC dosage 1,048 mJ/cm2. In contrast, UVA occurs rather powerless against COVID-19 even after 15 minutes’ impact. That’s why the inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 by UVC irradiation constitutes a reliable method for disinfection purposes in healthcare facilities and for preparing SARS-CoV-2 material for research purposes. UV-B also had little effect on the virus.

Reference: “UV-C irradiation is highly effective in inactivating SARS-CoV-2 replication” by Mara Biasin, Andrea Bianco, Giovanni Pareschi, Adalberto Cavalleri, Claudia Cavatorta, Claudio Fenizia, Paola Galli, Luigi Lessio, Manuela Lualdi, Enrico Tombetti, Alessandro Ambrosi, Edoardo Maria Alberto Redaelli, Irma Saulle, Daria Trabattoni, Alessio Zanutta, Mario Clerici, medRxiv

You may wonder, how much energy do I need to spare my room from the infectious microbes? Based on the studies above we can calculate that for a 36m2 room 30-watt lamp with 11.2 watts of UV-C radiation will take from 15 minutes to half an hour to destroy viruses and bacteria on the floor, walls, and ceiling of the room. Not more that an ordinary light bulb!

Now you have no doubt, scientific studies confirm that ultraviolet radiation quickly and effectively renders harmless SARS-CoV-2 cells and therefore, can be effectively used against COVID-19. Remember, UV-C lamps are the ones that inactivate viruses! UV-A and UV-B can put a bit of a tan on your skin, but will not help you to get rid of COVID-19.