British researchers have developed special UV lamps to disinfect surfaces against Covid-19 and which are harmless to health.
- Researchers have developed a lamp that emits lower wavelengths, allowing it to both disinfect surfaces and be harmless to health.
- These lamps could be used to disinfect hospitals and public places such as restaurants, train stations or airports.
Several studies have shown that the use of ultraviolet rays is effective in decontaminating surfaces from the presence of Covid-19. More specifically, UV-C rays are used. Thus, LEDs, which work with UV-C, are able to eliminate 99.9% of Covid-19 from surfaces in 30 seconds. However, be careful because these rays are harmful to your health and can burn the skin, even during brief use.
Disinfect public places
Researchers at the University of St Andrew (United Kingdom) have succeeded in developing UV lamps that are harmless to health. They published their results in the journal Photodermatology, Photoimmunology and Photomedicine. They used lamps that emit lower wavelengths. UVC lamps used to kill coronavirus and bacteria emit at wavelengths of 254 nanometers (nm), enough to penetrate skin and eyes. The British researchers calculated that lamps emitting at 222 nm were just as effective and safe since the proteins on the surface of the skin absorb the rays but do not allow them to penetrate.
These new lamps could be used in the fight against the spread of the coronavirus. The researchers believe that they can be used in the disinfection of hospitals and public places such as restaurants, stations or airports. Their harmless nature for humans makes their use possible even in the presence of people. However, the exposure time must remain limited and their range of action is less than that of traditional UVC lamps.
.
