Germicidal UV could make airborne diseases as rare as those carried by water
8 hours ago
- #airborne diseases
- #public health
- #UV technology
- Germicidal ultraviolet (UV) light can make airborne diseases as rare as waterborne ones by disinfecting indoor air.
- Historical context: Waterborne diseases like typhoid were controlled through filtration and chlorination, but airborne diseases remain a major threat.
- Far-UVC light (under 230 nanometers) is effective at killing pathogens without harming humans, unlike older UV methods.
- Early 20th-century experiments with UV light showed promise in reducing infections in hospitals and schools.
- Post-WWII, interest in UV light waned due to antibiotics and concerns over skin/eye irritation and cancer risks.
- Modern far-UVC technology overcomes past drawbacks, offering safe and scalable air disinfection.
- Alternatives like ventilation and filtration have limitations in energy use, cost, and effectiveness compared to far-UVC.
- Far-UVC lamps can achieve the equivalent of over 100 air changes per hour, far surpassing traditional methods.
- Challenges remain in standardizing and certifying far-UVC products, and in gathering definitive efficacy data.
- Clean air could become as universally expected as clean water, drastically reducing airborne diseases.