Scientists from Hiroshima University recently published results of their research that shows UVC light at a wavelength of 22 nm can kill the coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 while being safe for humans.
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Electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength shorter than visible light but longer than x-ray wave-lengths is invisible to humans. UVC is the “hardest” of ultra-violet radiation and the one at the wave-lengths of 222 nm can kill not only COVID-19 but other similar coronaviruses and influenza viruses.
UV Against The Coronavirus
You probably know that radiation at certain wavelengths can kill microbes. It is the reason why certain kinds of light are used in public bathrooms or planes to quickly disinfect surfaces.
One type of these products are germicidal lamps that radiate ultra-violet radiation in the C spectrum also called UVC. They are used to sterilize air, liquids, and surfaces where you need extremely sterile environments. For example, in the medical industry or the food industry.
Most commonly, these lamps generate radiation at a wavelength of 253.7 nm which is capable of destroying organisms by damaging their cellular structures. But they have a problem. They are also dangerous to humans. So, they should not be used in areas where humans or animals can find themselves.
The risk it introduces to humans severely limits the possibilities to use it in public areas and forces us to use potentially dangerous chemicals.
Magical 222 nm
More and more evidence shows that the safer wave-length of 222 nm is effective against many pathogens without being dangerous to human eye-sight or skin. The newest study proves that such light is effective at killing the SARS-CoV-2 virus making it a promising solution to sanitize surfaces that would otherwise need to be regularly disinfected by chemicals.
This discovery could find use, for example, in medical facilities where it tends to be very hard to empty a room to use currently used germicidal lights. The researchers claim that light at a wavelength of 222 nm is capable of killing 99.7 % of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in just 30 seconds.
Since the light at this wavelength is not capable of getting into the protective layer in human tissue it does not cause damage to the skin nor the eye-sight. That makes it a more appealing and safer alternative to other commonly used germicidal UV lamps.
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