An Assessment of Germicidal Ultraviolet Treatment Cabinets and Carousels Using a Bacteriophage Surface Challenge

Modern germicidal ultraviolet C (UVC) equipment can deliver automated UV disinfection treatment by predetermined or self-monitoring cycle. Limited information exists about the performance of such UV systems for treating SARS-CoV-2 and other viral contaminants on surfaces. Published studies differ in their approaches due to the absence of an approved test method.

The ability of germicidal UVC irradiation systems to disinfect surfaces at room and cabinet scale was assessed. Test carriers, seeded with bacteriophage Phi6, were irradiated following a new standard test method. Powered air-purifying respirator equipment was then used to introduce a more demanding challenge.

Treatments of seeded carriers using UVC cabinets gave Phi6 log reductions up to 4.58 logs, with little difference between systems. Subsequent treatments, with carriers located on respirator ensembles, were similar, despite shadowing effects. Differences existed for various combinations of cabinet and carrier location. The Phi6 log reduction range was slightly wider for carousel systems, with the most exposed carrier positions giving the greatest Phi6 reductions for seeded respirators.

Cabinets demonstrated similar performance despite different technical specifications, with maximum observed Phi6 reduction indicating a measurable level of efficacy. There was a more obvious difference in performance between the two carousels, where one delivered an almost twofold higher UVC dose than the other, the most likely explanation for observed performance differences.

UVC cabinets and carousels demonstrated Phi6 reductions that could augment routine cleaning measures for reusable respirators. In real-world scenarios, germicidal UVC devices could therefore potentially offer benefits for reducing contact transmission from infectious viruses.