Karnataka Researchers Upgrade Old Fridge Into A Disinfection Chamber To Fight COVID-19

In a move to contain the spread of COVID-19, researchers in Karnakata have turned an old fridge into a disinfection chamber.

The National Institute of Technology Karnataka’s researchers have been using this makeshift disinfection chamber to disinfect surgical masks, personal protective equipment, currency notes, packed food items, vegetables as well as other day-to-day items.

Head of the Chemistry Department, Dr. Arun M Isloor, and Syed Ibrahim, his research scholar, were the ones behind this device.

The chamber is made using an old fridge combined with UV-C radiation with 254-nanometer UV-C radiation that could inactivate or destroy up to 99.9% of surface contamination including bacteria and viruses.

According to Dr. Isloor, the name of the device is ZERO-COV. All they have to do is put items like currency notes, vegetables, envelopes or books inside the chamber. Turning the chamber on for 15 minutes and just wait. Once the process is complete, all microorganisms on the surface of the items will be 99.9% killed.

Prof. Islur said that the chamber was suitable for both house and office as it did not have any toxic chemicals or agents. For residents who want to build the device by themselves, Prof Islur is ready to help.

A study indicates that the novel coronavirus causing the COVID-19 outbreak can live on cardboard for up to 24 hours and on plastic from two to three days.

A New England Journal of Medicine’s research says that people can be infected with the virus after touching contaminated objects.

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