Accidental Exposure to UV Radiation Produced by Germicidal Lamp: Case Report and Risk Assessment

Zaffina, Salvatore; Camisa, Vincenzo; Lembo, Marco; Vinci, M.; Tucci, Mario Graziano; Borra, M.; Napolitano, Antonio; Cannatà, Vittorio

doi:10.1111/j.1751-1097.2012.01151.x

Cited by 74 publications

(58 citation statements)

References 17 publications

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“…However, while these lamps can be used to disinfect unoccupied spaces, operation of these conventional germicidal UV lamps in occupied public spaces -critical to prevent person-to-person transmission -is not possible since exposure to these wavelengths is a health hazard, causing both skin cancer and eye diseases [7][8][9][10] .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Far-UVC light efficiently and safely inactivates airborne human coronaviruses

Welch

Shuryak

Brenner

2020

Preprint

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A direct approach to limit airborne transmission of pathogens is to inactivate them within a short time of their production. Germicidal ultraviolet light (UV), typically at 254 nm, is effective in this context, but it is a health hazard to the skin and eyes. By contrast, far-UVC light (207-222 nm) efficiently kills pathogens without harm to exposed human cells or tissues. We previously demonstrated that 222-nm UV light efficiently kills airborne influenza virus (H1N1); here we extend the far-UVC studies to explore efficacy against human coronaviruses from subgroups alpha (HCoV-229E) and beta (HCoV-OC43). We found that low doses of, respectively 1.7 and 1.2 mJ/cm2 inactivated 99.9% of aerosolized alpha coronavirus 229E and beta coronavirus OC43. Based on these results for the beta HCoV-OC43 coronavirus, continuous far-UVC exposure in public locations at the currently recommended exposure limit (3 mJ/cm2/hour) would result in 99.9% viral inactivation in ~ 25 minutes. Increasing the far- UVC intensity by, say, a factor of 2 would halve these disinfection times, while still maintaining safety. As all human coronaviruses have similar genomic size, a key determinant of radiation sensitivity, it is realistic to expect that far-UVC light will show comparable inactivation efficiency against other human coronaviruses, including SARS-CoV-2.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Far-UVC light efficiently and safely inactivates airborne human coronaviruses

Welch

Shuryak

Brenner

2020

Preprint

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“…UV is associated with health risks, 19,20 requires the upper room installation of UV fixtures, and relies on a well-mixed air concept. HEPA filters remove bacteria and viruses from the air effectively, but there are excessive costs associated with the energy needed to circulate air through the filter, and for filter replacement.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A chemical free, nanotechnology-based method for airborne bacterial inactivation using engineered water nanostructures

Pyrgiotakis¹,

McDevitt²,

Bordini³

et al. 2014

Environ. Sci.: Nano

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Airborne pathogens are associated with the spread of infectious diseases and increased morbidity and mortality. Herein we present an emerging chemical free, nanotechnology-based method for airborne pathogen inactivation. This technique is based on transforming atmospheric water vapor into Engineered Water Nano-Structures (EWNS) via electrospray. The generated EWNS possess a unique set of physical, chemical, morphological and biological properties. Their average size is 25 nm and they contain reactive oxygen species (ROS) such as hydroxyl and superoxide radicals. In addition, EWNS are highly electrically charged (10 electrons per particle on average). A link between their electric charge and the reduction of their evaporation rate was illustrated resulting in an extended lifetime (over an hour) at room conditions. Furthermore, it was clearly demonstrated that the EWNS have the ability to interact with and inactivate airborne bacteria. Finally, inhaled EWNS were found to have minimal toxicological effects, as illustrated in an acute in-vivo inhalation study using a mouse model. In conclusion, this novel, chemical free, nanotechnology-based method has the potential to be used in the battle against airborne infectious diseases.

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“…Current air disinfection technologies, such as the use of upper-room UV irradiation (Ultraviolet 254 nm), 7 high efficiency particulate (HEPA) air filtration 8 and photocatalysis, 9 are restricted by their inherent limitations. UV is associated with health risks, 10 requires the upper room UV fixtures, and relies on a well-mixed air concept. Furthermore HEPA filters remove bacteria and viruses from the air effectively, but there are excessive costs associated with the energy needed to move high volumes of air through the filter and for filter replacement.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Mycobacteria inactivation using Engineered Water Nanostructures (EWNS)

Pyrgiotakis¹,

McDevitt²,

Gao³

et al. 2014

Nanomedicine: Nanotechnology, Biology and Medicine

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Airborne transmitted pathogens such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) cause serious, often fatal infectious disease with enormous global health implications. Due to their unique cell wall and slow growth, mycobacteria are among the most resilient microbial forms. Herein we evaluate the ability of an emerging, chemical-free, nanotechnology-based method to inactivate M. parafortuitum (Mtb surrogate). This method is based on the transformation of atmospheric water vapor into engineered water nano-structures (EWNS) via electrospray. We demonstrate that the EWNS can interact with and inactivate airborne mycobacteria, reducing their concentration levels significantly. Additionally, EWNS can inactivate M. parafortuitum on surfaces eight times faster than the control. The mechanism of mycobacteria inactivation was also investigated in this study. It was demonstrated that the EWNS effectively deliver the reactive oxygen species, encapsulated during the electrospray process, to the bacteria oxidizing their cell membrane resulting into inactivation. Overall, this is a method with the potential to become an effective intervention technology in the battle against airborne infections. From the Clinical Editor This study demonstrates the feasibility of mycobacterium inactivation in airborne form or on contact surfaces using electrospray activated water nano-structures. Given that the method is free of toxic chemicals, this might become an important tool in the prevention of mycobacterial infections, which are notoriously hard to treat.

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Accidental Exposure to UV Radiation Produced by Germicidal Lamp: Case Report and Risk Assessment

Cited by 74 publications

References 17 publications

Far-UVC light efficiently and safely inactivates airborne human coronaviruses

Far-UVC light efficiently and safely inactivates airborne human coronaviruses

A chemical free, nanotechnology-based method for airborne bacterial inactivation using engineered water nanostructures

Mycobacteria inactivation using Engineered Water Nanostructures (EWNS)

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