Coronavirus destruction: UVc, an effective solution.

10 April 2020Articles, News, SurfaceBy UVRER

Many studies have already demonstrated the effectiveness of type C ultraviolet radiation (UVc) in the destruction of microorganisms (viruses, bacteria, fungi …) by acting directly on their DNA and / or RNA. As indicated in Kowalski’s publication (March 2020), coronavirus type viruses require doses ranging from 7 to 241 J / m² to reach a reduction of 90%.

Several ultraviolet rays are emitted naturally by the sun: UVa, UVb and UVc. The wavelength of the latter being relatively short, this makes a very powerful and destructive ray for any form of life, including the family of Coronaviridae. In 2003, France already had to deal with an epidemic of one of its many viruses: SARS. This one is similar to SARS COV-2 (or COVID-19). Its strain is therefore not completely unknown to us and tests were already carried out during the 2003 epidemic. Scientists have concluded that the Coronaviridae strain is very sensitive to ultraviolet light. Indeed, UVc targeting the genome of the virus and the lipid membranes of the Coronavirus do not make it possible to protect this genome, and actually, a virus with single-stranded RNA probably makes it even more sensitive to UVc.

These are first precious estimates but which remain to be completed by the scientific world in view of the new SARS COV-2. Viruses enveloped by lipid membranes (RNA) are extremely diverse, with a wide range of genome types, structures, replication cycles and pathogenicity. To date, studies on the growth, transport and inactivation of this type of virus are still to be deepened. The following table summarizes the results of previous studies carried out on the different coronaviruses, the specific species are returned in each case. The value D90 corresponds to a reduction of 90% of the coronavirus, it is therefore indicated below the UVc dose necessary to apply to achieve this.

On March 17, 2020, a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine, demonstrated that the SARS-COV-2 coronavirus can have a lifespan of 4 hours to 5 days depending on the types of surfaces on which it is deposited. Some more recent research also stipulates that this period could extend to 9 days. In fact, if the virus is found on wood or metal, its lifespan differs. For example, COVID-19 would survive 4 hours on copper or metal and 4 days on wood. According to the Agency France Presse, UVc rays are already used in China to treat buses and elevators. Rumors have also said that China central bank would even disinfect its notes since February with ultraviolet. The advantage of UVc disinfection is the speed and effectiveness of the treatment compared to manual cleaning with chemicals. In fact, the time spent on disinfection is around fifteen minutes and each corner is treated while certain surfaces are more difficult to reach manually.

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Sources :

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