The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic continues to stress the importance of utilizing effective Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) methods, and germicidal lamps are gaining in popularity as UVC virus killers. Ultraviolet (UV) based technologies are promising IPC tools showing high efficacy in killing many types of beta coronaviruses, including the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19.
As of March 29, 2023, the toll of the global health pandemic as reported by the World Health Organization, WHO, reports 761,402,282 confirmed cases of COVID-19, including 6,887,000 deaths in 229 countries and territories and 102,697,566 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 1,117,054 deaths in the United States.
UVC Virus Inactivation and Efficacy in Reducing the Spread of Disease
The Federal Drug Administration, FDA, offers additional information for businesses and consumers to learn more about ultraviolet light virus inactivation and its efficacy in reducing the spread of disease. UVC radiation at the correct wavelength has been used for decades for the effective disinfection of air, water, and surfaces and is engineered in UVC germicidal lamps. UV-C light kills bacteria such as tuberculosis and many viruses, including beta coronaviruses.
UV-C Light Kills Viruses MERS, SARS, and SARS-CoV-2
Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that typically cause mild-to-moderate respiratory infections in humans, although coronaviruses are known to infect both humans and animals. They can often spread in animals but can jump to humans and continue spreading in humans with viral mutations. Coronaviruses are named partly due to the crown-like spiked protrusions on the surface.
Some types of coronaviruses may cause illnesses like the common cold, although severe acute respiratory syndrome viruses (SARS-CoV) can be severe, such as the fatal outbreak of SARS in 2002 and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) in 2012. SARS-CoV-2 is another severe acute respiratory syndrome virus that causes COVID-19.
Ultraviolet light virus inactivation is highly effective at eliminating the threat of coronaviruses, including the SARS-CoV-2 virus, when administered at the proper wavelength and dosage. According to a scientific report, UV-C irradiation is highly effective in inactivating SARS-CoV-2 replication; the response of UV virus inactivation depends on both the virus concentration and the UVC dose. The results of this study and many others show that the SARS-CoV-2 is extremely sensitive to UVC light.
UVC Light Kill Viruses And Other Harmful Pathogens
According to a study published in 2020 and reported by Biological Consulting Services, UVC virus inactivation was determined against various harmful pathogens with results including:
- Influenza A H1N1 – 99.999% reduction
- SARS-CoV-2 virus – 99.999% reduction
- Polio Virus LSc 1 – 99.99% reduction
- Methicillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA) – 99.99 reduction
- Salmonella species, 6 variations – 99.99% reduction
UV virus elimination is very effective when using the right type of UVC germicidal lamps and the proper dosage, and environment such as line of sight disinfection on a surface not contaminated with dirt that can affect UV inactivation results. This is why ultraviolet light virus disinfection is recommended in addition to manual cleaning practices for maximum effectiveness.
UVC Virus Disinfection in Air, Water, and Surfaces
UVC germicidal lamps are typically designed to emit wavelengths at precisely 254 nm, proven to be highly effective at penetrating the DNA of microorganisms to render them harmless. Far UVC lamps are gaining in popularity and showing high germicidal efficacy while being safer to operate in the presence of humans. Standard germicidal UVC lamps should operate in non-occupied spaces and can be found in upper room ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) systems, HVAC systems, and other disinfection devices like UVC robots programmed to run through hospital hallways or patient rooms that are unoccupied.
Not all UVC germicidal lamps are created equal, and it is important to work with an experienced ultraviolet lamp designer to ensure effective germicidal properties.
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UV Germicidal ApplicationsLightSources is a leading global supplier of UVC lamps used in sterilization systems worldwide to disinfect air, water, and surfaces. We offer vast global resources, prototype development, customized and high-tech lamp design, and engineering. Contact us to source quality UVC germicidal lamps for your disinfection application to ensure reliable UV virus elimination.
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