An article published by Biospace found interesting news in regard to the potential of using UVC to help combat the transmission of COVID-19. With its long history as a proven germicide (kills germs like bacteria, viruses, and mold), ultraviolet-C light (UVC) has been examined to see if it can effectively destroy the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19. The answer to that is yes, say researchers at Boston University and Signify (formerly known as Phillips).
When the SARS-CoV-2 virus was exposed to 5 mJ/cm2 of UVC light, 99% of the SARS-CoV-2 virus was destroyed in 6 seconds. A stronger dose of 22 mJ/cm2 caused 99.9999% of the virus to be destroyed in 25 seconds.
UVC is the shorter wavelength in the ultraviolet spectrum. With its shorter wavelength, it creates a significant mutation in the DNA/RNA of the virus and other germs that prevents it from replicating and thus spreading infection.
Over the past 40 years, all of the hundreds of viruses and bacteria that have been evaluated in the past have been rendered ineffective when exposed to UV-C light.
The study conducted by Anthony Griffiths, Ph.D., associate professor of microbiology at Boston University’s National Emerging Infectious Diseases Laboratories (NEIDL), is expected to be published in the upcoming months.
More studies will need to be conducted to see what dosage would be required to stop the spread of the virus, but at least it is a starting point to know that UVC is effective in destroying the virus. This is further confirmed by studies that concluded that UVC is effective against corona virus, as well asd other viruses.