Scientists Have Found A Safe UV Light That Can Kill COVID-19

Researchers around the world are still racing to find an effective vaccine to counter the novel coronavirus causing the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a study in the US, scientists claim that they have found a form of UV radiation that can kill the SARS-CoV-2 virus. They also state that this form of UV radiation doesn’t harm human beings, thus making it a potential option in developing a disinfection system for public places.

The study can be found in the American Journal of Infection Control. In the study, the scientists suggest using Ultraviolet-C light with a 222-nanometer wavelength to kill the virus without harming the human skin.

Earlier, researchers at Hiroshima University, Japan had also studied how UV light could eradicate seasonal coronaviruses similar to the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Experts spread a solution that contained the virus onto a sterile polystyrene plate. The plate is left to dry at room temperature in a biosafety cabinet. Then the Far-UVC lamp was placed 24 centimeters above the plate.

It turned out 99.7% of the virus was killed in 30 seconds after they were exposed to the 222nm UVC irradiation.

This particular UVC didn’t penetrate and harm the outer layer of the human skin and eye.

The researchers believe that this can replace the more harmful 254 nm UVC germicidal lamps used in healthcare facilities for disinfection.

It’s worth noting that the researchers only studied the efficacy of the UVC under lab conditions, not in real-world settings.

>>> Electric Cookers Clean Face Masks Better Than UV Light, Study Finds