Ten Reasons You Need To Learn About Far UVC Light

1. Safe for use around humans: Unlike conventional UV lamps, far-UVC light cannot penetrate the tear layer of the eye or the outer dead-cell layer of skin, making it safe for use in occupied indoor public spaces.
2. Effective at killing airborne viruses: Far-UVC light has been shown to kill more than 99.9% of seasonal coronaviruses present in airborne droplets, making it a promising solution for reducing the risk of person-to-person transmission of viruses.
3. Fast-acting: According to recent research, continuous exposure to far-UVC light at the current regulatory limit can kill 90% of airborne viruses in about 8 minutes, 95% in about 11 minutes, 99% in about 16 minutes, and 99.9% in about 25 minutes.
4. Can be used in combination with other measures: Far-UVC light can be used in combination with other measures, such as wearing face masks and washing hands, to limit the transmission of viruses.
5. Can be used in a variety of indoor public spaces: Far-UVC light can be used in hospitals, buses, planes, trains, train stations, schools, restaurants, offices, theaters, gyms, and other places where people gather indoors.
6. No additional financial or other conflicts of interest: According to the authors of the study on far-UVC light and coronaviruses, there are no additional financial or other conflicts of interest.
7. Funded by reputable organizations: The study on far-UVC light and coronaviruses was funded by the Shostack Foundation and the NIH (grant R42-AI125006-03).
8. Efficient and safe: The study on far-UVC light and coronaviruses found that far-UVC light (222 nm wavelength) efficiently and safely inactivates airborne coronaviruses.
9. Doesn’t discriminate between virus types: According to David Brenner, the lead author of the study on far-UVC light and coronaviruses, far-UVC light doesn’t really discriminate between coronavirus types, making it a promising solution for killing SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses.
10. Potential for commercialization: The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York have a pending patent on the filter technology for far-UVC light, suggesting the potential for commercialization and widespread adoption in the future.

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a global search for effective methods to prevent the spread of the virus. One promising solution is Far-UVC light, a new technology that has been found to safely kill airborne coronaviruses. In this article, we will take an in-depth look at Far-UVC light and how it can be used to reduce the spread of coronaviruses in indoor environments.

Background

Conventional germicidal ultraviolet light (UVC) has been used for decades to disinfect unoccupied spaces. However, direct exposure to conventional UVC lamps is not possible in occupied public spaces as it could be a health hazard. To overcome this limitation, researchers at Columbia University Irving Medical Center have been investigating Far-UVC light (222 nm wavelength), which cannot penetrate the tear layer of the eye or the outer dead-cell layer of skin and so it cannot reach or damage living cells in the body.

The Study

The researchers used a misting device to aerosolize two common coronaviruses and then flowed the aerosols through the air in front of a Far-UVC lamp. After exposure to Far-UVC light, the researchers tested to see how many of the viruses were still alive. The results were remarkable, with more than 99.9% of the exposed virus being killed by a very low exposure to Far-UVC light.

Using Far-UVC Light in Occupied Indoor Spaces

The sensitivity of coronaviruses to Far-UVC light suggests that it may be feasible and safe to use overhead Far-UVC lamps in occupied indoor public places to reduce the risk of person-to-person transmission of coronaviruses. The researchers estimate that continuous exposure to Far-UVC light at the current regulatory limit would kill 90% of airborne viruses in about 8 minutes, 95% in about 11 minutes, 99% in about 16 minutes, and 99.9% in about 25 minutes.

Ongoing Studies with SARS-CoV-2

In a separate ongoing study, the researchers are testing the efficacy of Far-UVC light against airborne SARS-CoV-2. Preliminary data suggest that Far-UVC light is just as effective at killing SARS-CoV-2 as it is with other coronaviruses.

The Future of Far-UVC Light

The potential of Far-UVC light to safely inactivate airborne coronaviruses while people are present makes it an important tool in the fight against COVID-19. Far-UVC light could be used in combination with other measures, such as wearing face masks and washing hands, to limit the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and other viruses.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Far-UVC light is a safe and effective solution for killing airborne coronaviruses. Its ability to reduce the risk of person-to-person transmission of coronaviruses makes it an important tool in the fight against COVID-19. Further studies are needed to determine the full potential of Far-UVC light, but the results so far are promising.

FAQs

1. What is far-UVC light? Far-UVC light is a specific wavelength of ultraviolet light that is safe for humans. It is different from conventional UVC light which has a wavelength of 254 nm and is not safe for human exposure. Far-UVC light has a wavelength of 222 nm and is unable to penetrate the tear layer of the eye or the outer dead-cell layer of skin, making it safe for use in occupied indoor spaces.
2. Can far-UVC light kill the SARS-CoV-2 virus? In ongoing studies, preliminary data suggest that far-UVC light is just as effective at killing SARS-CoV-2 as it is with other coronaviruses and influenza viruses. The researchers expect that far-UVC light will be just as effective at inactivating the SARS-CoV-2 virus as it is with other coronaviruses.
3. Is far-UVC light safe for humans? Yes, far-UVC light is safe for humans because it cannot penetrate the tear layer of the eye or the outer dead-cell layer of skin. This makes it safe for use in occupied indoor spaces where people are present.
4. Can far-UVC light be used in combination with other measures to prevent the transmission of viruses? Yes, far-UVC light can be used in combination with other measures such as wearing face masks and washing hands to limit the transmission of viruses, including SARS-CoV-2. It can be used in occupied indoor spaces like hospitals, schools, offices, restaurants, theaters, and anywhere that people gather indoors.

In conclusion, far-UVC light has the potential to be a safe and effective solution for killing airborne coronaviruses. The ongoing studies and research into far-UVC light provide promising results and suggest that it may be a valuable tool in preventing the transmission of viruses in occupied indoor spaces. However, it is important to continue to follow guidelines such as wearing face masks and washing hands to keep everyone safe.