The Null Effect of UVC Ceiling Light Exposure on SARS-CoV2

Waheeb E Alnaser,Fatima Alshaikh,Qasim Alaraibi,Naser W Alnaser,Amjad Z Ghanem

doi:10.4236/health.2020.1211108

Abstract

There has been some extensive research investigating the effect of Far Ultraviolet Radiation (UVC) on SARS and MARS. However, to the best of our knowledge, there have not been any detailed experiments looking at the effect of UVC on COVID-19 (now is called SARS-CoV2). Many researchers in this field believe that UVC destroys SARS-CoV2 because it warps the genetic material of the virus hurdling the viral particles from reproduction. In this paper, we report the result of our novel experiments on the effect of UVC on SARS-CoV2 using a commercially available UVC source, i.e. Krypton Disinfection lighting CM15W12V Series (wavelength of 222 nm), which is sold and marketed for the disinfection of pathogens. The experiments were extended to study the effect of UVC exposure to Bacteria and Fungus. Our experiments show that UVC has no effects on SARS-CoV2 when it is close to the SARS-CoV2 culture plate (4 - 5 cm) or at a distance (2.0 to 2.9 m), i.e. when fixed at the ceiling. This observation is important as the public seems to have the impression that commercial UVC ceiling light can kill SARS-CoV2 while this study has proven the opposite. Moreover, it shows no effect even when the UVC ceiling light is radiating on SARS-CoV2 for overnight. This proves that the intensity of the UVC from these devices is relatively low. However, the UVC light is found to be effective in destroying Bacteria and Fungus (part of pathogens), substantially, in 30 sec, and completely kills them when it’s at 2.9 m (or less) away from them and exposure for one day. This indicates that the UVC light is effective for bacteria disinfection.

Highlights

Some hospitals, as early as 80 years ago, had already equipped patients’ rooms with an Ultraviolet light, to warp and zap pathogens, i.e. the so-called upper-room UV germicidal irradiation [1]
We report the result of our novel experiments on the effect of UVC on SARS-CoV2 using a commercially available UVC source, i.e. Krypton Disinfection lighting CM15W12V Series, which is sold and marketed for the disinfection of pathogens
Our results revealed that when exposing UVC to bacteria and Fungus, there was a substantial effect of UVC

Summary

Introduction

As early as 80 years ago, had already equipped patients’ rooms with an Ultraviolet light, to warp and zap pathogens, i.e. the so-called upper-room UV germicidal irradiation [1]. Nowadays, societies encourage this practice to rebound from the SARS-CoV2 pandemic and hope to immolate pathogens out of the air in social gathering places, in order to prevent/reduce the spread of virus. Both UVA and UVB arrive at the Earth surface and may cause skin cancer and cataract in the case of large exposure [2]. UVC lamps are installed within ventilation air ducts, out of sight and completely shielded from people

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Conclusion