The science behind virus inactivation by UV-radiation *

relevant research results

  • Since the 1930s, lamps emitting UVC light have been used as highly efficient disinfection technology to treat drinking water, waste water, surfaces, pharmaceutical products, and air.
  • UVC light offers advantages over liquid disinfectants and heat sterilisation as it can be deployed automatically and is very energy efficient.
  • SARS-CoV-2 is inactivated (“killed”) by UVC radiation through a well-understood biochemical reaction whereby the virus’ genetic material (RNA) is irreparably damaged.
  • SARS-CoV-2 is known to be transmissible via aerosols with infectious particles remaining traceable indoors for hours.
  • UVC radiation can help to mitigate the risk of acquiring an infection, not only from SARS-CoV-2 but from a range of pathogens.
1 Quellen: Heßling, M., Hönes, K., Vatter, P., & Lingenfelder, C. (2020). Ultraviolet irradiation doses for coronavirus inactivation - review and analysis of coronavirus photoinactivation studies. GMS hygiene and infection control, 15. doi:10.3205/dgkh000343 International Ultraviolet Association (IUVA). (2020). IUVA Fact Sheet on UV Disinfection for COVID-19. Retrieved from https://iuva.org/ Sabino, C. P., Ball, A. R., Baptista, M. S., Dai, T., Hamblin, M. R., Ribeiro, M. S., . . . Wainwright, M. (in press). Light-based technologies for management of COVID-19 pandemic crisis. Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology. doi:10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2020.111999