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Study shows first proof that a safer UV light effectively kills virus causing COVID-19

By Hiroshima University Department of Public Relations

Researchers offer first proof that Ultraviolet C light with a 222 nm wavelength — which is safer to use around humans — effectively kills the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

A study offers first proof that Ultraviolet C light with a 222 nm wavelength is lethal to SARS-CoV-2

Hiroshima University researchers found that using Ultraviolet C light with a 222 nm wavelength, which doesn’t harm living cells in the human eye and skin, effectively kills the SARS-CoV-2. This is the first study in the world that proves its potency against the virus which causes COVID-19.

 

A study conducted by Hiroshima University researchers found that using Ultraviolet C light with a wavelength of 222 nanometers which is safer to use around humans effectively kills SARS-CoV-2 — the first research in the world to prove its efficacy against the virus that causes COVID-19.

Other studies involving 222 nm UVC, also known as Far-UVC, have so far only looked at its potency in eradicating seasonal coronaviruses that are structurally similar to the SARS-CoV-2 but not on the COVID-19-causing virus itself. A nanometer is equivalent to one billionth of a meter.

An in vitro experiment by HU researchers showed that 99.7% of the SARS-CoV-2 viral culture was killed after a 30-second exposure to 222 nm UVC irradiation at 0.1 mW/cm2. The study is published in the American Journal of Infection Control.

Tests were conducted using Ushio’s Care222TM krypton-chloride excimer lamp. A 100 microliter solution containing the virus (ca. 5 × 106 TCID50/mL) was spread onto a 9-centimeter sterile polystyrene plate. The researchers allowed it to dry in a biosafety cabinet at room temperature before placing the Far-UVC lamp 24 centimeters above the surface of the plates.

222 nm vs 254 nm UVC

Previous studies showed that due to its limited penetration depth, Far-UVC poses minimal health risks to human skin and eyes as it is unable to reach the living cells beneath. This makes it a safer but equally potent alternative to the more damaging 254 nm UVC germicidal lamps increasingly used in disinfecting healthcare facilities.

Since 254 nm UVC harms exposed human tissues, it can only be used to sanitize empty rooms. But 222 nm UVC can be a promising disinfection system for occupied public spaces including hospitals where nosocomial infections are a possibility.

The researchers, however, suggest further evaluation of the safety and effectiveness of 222 nm UVC irradiation in killing SARS-CoV-2 viruses in real-world surfaces as their study only investigated its in vitro efficacy.

The Far-UVC research is one of the four COVID-19 studies conducted by Hiroshima University scientists that received funding from the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development.

Drs. Hiroki Kitagawa, Toshihito Nomura, and Hiroki Ohge of Hiroshima University Hospital’s Department of Infectious Diseases, and Dr. Takemasa Sakaguchi of the Hiroshima University Graduate School of Biomedical and Health Sciences were behind the study.

Many laboratories in the university are conducting research on the novel coronavirus under the “Hiroshima University CoV-Peace-Project.”

(Research news authored by Mikas Matsuzawa)

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Editor's note: Changes were made in the first sentence of the subhead "222 nm vs 254 nm UVC" to clarify that Far-UVC poses minimal health risks to humans.

 

About the study

Kitagawa, H., Nomura, T., Nazmul, T., Omori, K., Shigemoto, N., Sakaguchi, T., & Ohge, H. (2020). Effectiveness of 222-nm ultraviolet light on disinfecting SARS-CoV-2 surface contamination. American Journal of Infection Control. doi:10.1016/j.ajic.2020.08.022

Research support

The research was supported by the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) under grant number JP20he0922003.

Media Contact

Inquiries on the study
Department of Infectious Diseases, Hiroshima University Hospital
Professor Hiroki Ohge
TEL: 082-257-1613
E-mail: ohge * hiroshima-u.ac.jp
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Inquiries on the story
Hiroshima University Department of Public Relations
TEL: 082-424-3701
E-mail: koho * office.hiroshima-u.ac.jp
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