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Published on: April 6, 2022
Inactivation of viruses on surfaces by infrared techniques
Baki Karaböce1, Evren Saban1, Ahsen Aydın Böyük2
1TÜBİTAK UME, Turkey.
Far-infrared (FIR) radiation effectively inactivates enveloped viruses in droplets. This physical disinfection method shows significant virus inactivation rates, offering a health and environmentally friendly alternative to chemical disinfectants.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Physical Chemistry
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Virus mutation necessitates effective inactivation and disinfection strategies for illnesses like COVID-19.
- Traditional disinfection methods (UV, alcohol) have limitations, driving the need for safer alternatives.
- Environmental factors (temperature, humidity, airflow) significantly influence virus transmission.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of far-infrared (FIR) radiation as a physical method for virus inactivation.
- To explore the impact of environmental conditions on FIR-based virus inactivation in droplets.
- To establish FIR as a viable, health-conscious disinfection technique.
Main Methods:
- Characterization of infrared (IR) sources with various wavelengths, focusing on far-infrared (FIR).
- Construction of a controlled environment chamber with IR sources, IR camera, humidity control, and airflow unit.
- Utilizing bacteriophage Phi6 as a model for enveloped viruses to study inactivation under varying temperature, humidity, and airflow conditions.
Main Results:
- FIR radiation demonstrated effective inactivation of viruses in stationary droplets.
- In a closed chamber at 50% relative humidity, FIR achieved a 90% inactivation rate over 3 hours.
- In open-air conditions with airflow (0.20 m/s), FIR achieved a 45.7% inactivation rate in 10 minutes.
Conclusions:
- Far-infrared (FIR) radiation is a promising physical technique for effective virus inactivation.
- The study highlights the influence of environmental parameters on FIR disinfection efficiency.
- FIR offers a safe and eco-friendly alternative for virus control, particularly for enveloped viruses.
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