Turn up the lights, leave them on, and shine them all around - numerical simulations point the way to more efficient use of Far-UVC lights for the inactivation of airborne coronavirus
Abstract
It has been demonstrated in laboratory environments that ultraviolet-C (UVC) light is effective at inactivating airborne viruses. However, due to multiple parameters, it cannot be assumed that the air inside a room will be efficiently disinfected by commercial germicidal ultraviolet (GUV) systems. This research utilizes numerical simulations of airflow, viral spread, inactivation by UVC and removal by mechanical ventilation in a typical classroom. The viral load in the classroom is compared for conventional upper-room GUV and the emerging “Far-UVC.” In our simulated environment, GUV is shown to be effective in both well and poorly ventilated rooms, with greatest benefit in the latter. At current exposure limits, 18 commercial Far-UVC systems were as effective at reducing viral load as a single upper-room GUV. Improvements in Far-UVC irradiation distribution and recently proposed increases to exposure limits would dramatically increase the efficacy of Far-UVC devices. Modifications to current Far-UVC devices, which would improve their real-world efficacy, could be implemented now without requiring legislative change. The prospect of increased safety limits coupled with our suggested technological modifications could usher in a new era of safe and rapid whole room air disinfection in occupied indoor spaces.
Citation
Wood , K , Wood , A , Peñaloza , C & Eadie , E 2021 , ' Turn up the lights, leave them on, and shine them all around - numerical simulations point the way to more efficient use of Far-UVC lights for the inactivation of airborne coronavirus ' , Photochemistry and Photobiology , vol. Early View , 13523 . https://doi.org/10.1111/php.13523
Publication
Photochemistry and Photobiology
Status
Peer reviewed
ISSN
0031-8655Type
Journal article
Rights
Copyright © 2021 American Society for Photobiology. This work has been made available online in accordance with publisher policies or with permission. Permission for further reuse of this content should be sought from the publisher or the rights holder. This is the author created accepted manuscript following peer review and may differ slightly from the final published version. The final published version of this work is available at https://doi.org/10.1111/php.13523.
Description
We acknowledge financial support from the University of St Andrews Restarting Research Funding Scheme (SARRF) which is funded through the Scottish Funding Council grant reference SFC/AN/08/020.Collections
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