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A 265-Nanometer High-Power Deep-UV Light-Emitting Diode Rapidly Inactivates SARS-CoV-2 Aerosols
Hiroshi Ueki1,2, Mutsumi Ito1, Yuri Furusawa1,3
1Department of Virology, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyogrid.26999.3d, Tokyo, Japan.
Msphere
|April 27, 2022
Summary
A new deep-UV LED effectively inactivates SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing COVID-19, in liquid and aerosolized forms. This technology shows significantly higher efficacy against airborne virus particles, offering a promising tool for decontamination.
Area of Science:
- Photochemistry and Photobiology
- Microbiology and Virology
- Materials Science and Engineering
Background:
- Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes COVID-19, a significant global health concern.
- Effective decontamination strategies are crucial for controlling the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 via droplets, aerosols, and contact.
- Conventional disinfection methods often involve mercury lamps or lower-power LEDs, presenting limitations in efficiency, size, or environmental impact.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantitatively assess the inactivation efficacy of a novel, high-power, 265 nm deep-ultraviolet (DUV) light-emitting diode (LED) against SARS-CoV-2.
- To compare the DUV-LED's inactivation performance on both liquid and aerosolized SARS-CoV-2 samples.
- To evaluate the potential of this compact DUV-LED system as a practical tool for controlling SARS-CoV-2 spread.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a state-of-the-art, single-chip, AlGaN-based DUV-LED with a record continuous-wave output power of 500 mW at 265 nm.
- Quantified the reduction of infectious SARS-CoV-2 in both liquid suspensions and aerosolized samples following DUV-LED irradiation.
- Measured irradiation times required for significant viral load reduction, specifically targeting a greater-than-5-log inactivation.
Main Results:
- Achieved a greater-than-5-log reduction in infectious SARS-CoV-2 in liquid samples within very short irradiation times (<0.4 seconds).
- Demonstrated that the 265 nm DUV-LED exhibited approximately nine times greater inactivation efficacy against aerosolized SARS-CoV-2 compared to SARS-CoV-2 in suspension.
- The high-power DUV-LED system showed remarkable inactivation efficiency, particularly for airborne viral particles.
Conclusions:
- The developed compact, high-power 265 nm DUV-LED irradiation system is highly effective in inactivating SARS-CoV-2 in both liquid and aerosolized forms.
- The significantly higher efficacy against aerosolized SARS-CoV-2 suggests its potential for advanced air purification systems to combat airborne transmission.
- Advantages over conventional methods include high power, compactness, and environmental friendliness, positioning DUV-LEDs as a promising technology for future disinfection applications.
