Pollution free UV-C radiation to mitigate COVID-19 transmission

Area of Science:

• Microbiology
• Environmental Science
• Public Health

Background:

• COVID-19 transmission necessitates effective disinfection techniques.
• Chemical disinfectants pose potential health and environmental risks.
• Conventional UV-C disinfection is limited by material penetration and safety concerns in open environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the technical aspects of UV disinfection across various spectrums and wavelengths.
• To evaluate UV technologies for controlling airborne COVID-19 virus spread.
• To explore the potential of UV for human body sanitization in working conditions.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on UV disinfection technologies.
• Analysis of UV spectrums and wavelengths for germicidal efficacy.
• Assessment of far UV-C (222 nm) technology for aerosol and open-area disinfection.

Main Results:

• Far UV-C (222 nm) shows potential for inactivating microorganisms in aerosols and open areas.
• UV-C's germicidal application is typically restricted to closed chambers due to safety.
• Material optical properties influence UV light penetration for disinfection.

Conclusions:

• Far UV-C (222 nm) presents a viable option for safe, widespread disinfection, including in occupied spaces.
• Optimizing UV technology is crucial for effective virus mitigation in diverse environments.
• Further research into UV applications for human body sanitization is warranted.