Assessing the safety of new germicidal far-UVC technologies

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Microbiology
• Environmental Health

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for effective indoor air quality control.
• Far-ultraviolet (Far-UVC) germicidal light (200–235 nm) is a promising technology for disinfecting indoor air.
• Far-UVC offers potential safety advantages over conventional germicidal UV, allowing for whole-room exposure.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review current knowledge on the safety of Far-UVC exposure for skin and eyes.
• To identify research priorities for determining maximum safe exposure levels of Far-UVC.
• To inform the effective deployment of Far-UVC for indoor air disinfection, especially during pandemics.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of existing scientific evidence on Far-UVC safety.
• Analysis of current guidelines for germicidal ultraviolet systems.
• Identification of knowledge gaps and future research directions.

Main Results:

• Current evidence supports the use of Far-UVC within existing safety guidelines.
• Understanding the upper safety limits is crucial for maximizing efficacy, particularly in high-risk scenarios.
• Further studies are required to fully elucidate potential risks and establish definitive safety thresholds.

Conclusions:

• Rigorous scientific investigation is essential to determine safe and effective levels for Far-UVC deployment.
• Comprehensive safety studies, including mechanism exploration and long-term trials, are advocated.
• Establishing clear safety parameters will enhance Far-UVC's role in pandemic preparedness and response.