UVC disinfection is highly effective against all microorganisms, including SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus.
The current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic illustrates how important hygiene measures are to avoid its spread.
The Virus is transmitted in the air and deposited on surfaces, exposing everyday objects to the risks of spreading the virus.
But you can reduce the risk with UVC technology.
Corona viruses are infectious organic structures only 12-160 nm in size that spread outside of cells in the environment. But they can only multiply within a suitable host cell. Once z. B. Billions of viruses thrown out by coughing spread out in the environment and wait for the next host. They are not viable, only capsules with a program for their reproduction. They can neither divide nor have a metabolism and are always dependent on a host cell in order to be able to multiply.
The stability in the environment depends on many factors such as temperature, humidity and the nature of the surface.
According to recent knowledge, SARS-CoV-2 can remain contagious for up to 3 hours in the air, up to 4 hours on copper surfaces, up to 24 hours on cardboard and up to 2-3 days on stainless steel and plastic.
Effect of UVC on viruses
The virus information is contained in the capsule in the form of mostly single-stranded DNA1 or RNA2. Whether RNA or DNA, the mechanism of UVC destruction of these molecules is very effective. The radiation penetrates through the virus envelope and hits the genetic material. In the case of RNA, as with DNA, pyrimidine dimers and, in addition, uridine hydrates are formed. The information on how to reproduce is lost, the virus is no longer virulent and the infection cycle is broken.
1) DNA is the abbreviation for deoxyribonucleic acid.
2) RNA is short for ribonucleic acid.
The dose that is needed to destroy 90% of a virus type is called LD90.;
Mortality as a measure of the number of dead can be expressed as a lethal dose (LD) at a specific concentration of parasiticide, for example, LD50 or LD90, wherein the amount of substance required to kill 50% or 90% of the parasites (population) under test, respectively.Depending on the virus, you need a certain dose of UVC to block it.
In the case of influenza viruses this is very easy to do with 2 mJ / cm², unfortunately there are very few values for corona, but most experts consider an LD90 of 4 mJ / cm² to be realistic. However, it is also important whether you want to inactivate the viruses in the air, in droplets, sputum, blood or water. In order to even disinfect a smooth surface to 99.9% you need about three times the LD90 dose, with corona viruses between 12 and 18 mJ / cm².
In many life situations, the use of UVC brings back some of the security that would allow normal business operations. Viruses can be effectively removed from breathing air and the surfaces. Smartphones, bags, tools and aids are disinfected and stored after use.
UVC concepts cannot stop a pandemic, but they can be an important component for a significantly lower virulence of the viruses and thus protect against many new infections.
Please contact us to understand how we can design a system for your specific needs.