Using UV light to kill coronavirus: The benefits and risks

With artificial Hand disinfectant Many people turn to what is called “nature’s hand sanitizer” or ultraviolet light. UV light is the newest popular tool in the running race to prevent you from catching SARS-CoV-2, the causative virus COVID-19.

Disinfection with UV light is nothing new: The International Ultraviolet Association says it has been a useful technology that has contributed to clean water and air for over 40 years. Many consumer devices also use UV light to disinfect things, such as self-cleaning UV light water bottles and UV-emitting cases The Clean your dirty phone.

When it comes to that Corona virusHowever, things are not so clear. The use of UV light devices carries risks, especially if you use them on your skin. Before you order the first UV light disinfectant, find out about the latest knowledge about UV light disinfectants and the potential risks of using them yourself.

How do hand disinfectants work with UV light?

A brief introduction to UV light: UV light mainly comes from the sun, but there are also artificial UV light sources, including solariums and the currently popular UV disinfection lamps.

There are three classes of UV light: UV-A, UV-B and UV-C.

UV-A and UV-B light cause sunburn and premature aging, and exposure to both is associated with this Development of skin cancer. UV-C light, which has the most energy of all three types, is the most harmful, but fortunately does not reach the earth’s surface because our atmosphere absorbs it.

There is also artificial UV-C light: it is what is contained in the UV light disinfectants that companies claim to kill the corona virus. According to the National Academy of Sciencesit is likely that this is true because UV light is used to it Disinfect surfaces and water for a long time, and it is generally successful.

It works because UV-C light is strong enough to destroy the genetic material – either DNA or RNA – from viruses and bacteria. There is currently no evidence that UV-A and UV-B rays can do this kill the corona virus, so no, go outside on one sunny day does not reduce the risk of catching it.

Can UV light kill the corona virus?

Based on the available scientific evidence that UV light can destroy various viruses, it is probably true that UV light can kill SARS-CoV-2 – but keep in mind that no published, expert-reviewed studies to date specifically address the effects of have examined UV light for the virus that causes COVID-19.

The National academies of science, engineering and medicine reported This ultraviolet light can likely kill the corona virus. “UV light has been shown to destroy other corona viruses, so it will likely work with the novel corona virus,” the website says. This includes the deadly Middle East airway syndrome coronavirus, also known as MERS-CoV and severe acute respiratory syndrome-related coronavirus or SARS.

But there is one major limitation: “UV light damages human skin, so it should only be used on objects or surfaces,” continues NASEM.

This means that you should not use UV light as a hand disinfectant. Stay with hand washing Soap and water (follows correct hand washing guidelines) or with one alcohol-based hand disinfectant when soap and water are not available.

The WHO confirms this and reports on its Coronavirus Myth-Busters website that people should not use UV lamps to disinfect their hands or other skin areas, as UV radiation “can cause skin irritation and damage your eyes”.

Although scientists are working on ways To make these powerful disinfection products safe for people, current devices are not safe for your body. This is partly because many (if not most) of these products are not FDA approved or approved by a competent health authority.

This means that what you see may not be what you get – an extremely important consideration, because although UV-C light has a very low dose and a long range must not harm people or animalsIndeed, using too much of a dose too close to your skin can be harmful.

These devices “are usually available in many different shapes, sizes and thicknesses, and therefore their antimicrobial ability may vary,” says Dr. Tyler Hollmig, director of dermatological surgery at the Dell Medical School at the University of Texas at Austin. The use of UV-C light on your body can have the following consequences severe sunburn-like burns and retinal damage.

Dr. Hollmig continues, since UV light devices “are often not cheap – especially when compared to standard disinfectants that we know work – that this may not be the most effective form of cleaning. It’s also worth it, at least only to reinforce the fact that no UV light device should be a replacement for Wash your hands, Wearing masks and Distance. ”

UV light hand disinfectant and skin health problems

Dr. Hollmig helps to break down UV light in relation to skin health. UV light is divided into types based on wavelength, with UV-A light (the longest wavelength) being most closely associated with skin aging and certain types of skin cancer, and UV-B light (medium wavelength) being associated with sunburn and sunburn most skin cancers.

“UV-C light has the shortest wavelength spectrum, but is probably the most toxic,” says Dr. Hollmig. “Fortunately, the atmosphere filters out UV-C so that our skin and eyes are normally not affected.”

UV-C light is used by disinfectants to kill or inactivate microorganisms by destroying and destroying their nucleic acids, explains Dr. Hollmig. So if the device is properly tested and used, it works to kill pathogens – but something that is so powerful has the potential to damage the skin. Any potential problems? It can cause burns and is a well-known carcinogen (like all UV light), says Dr. Hollmig.

All types of UV light, “including those that come from the sun to the surface of the earth and those that are emitted by solariums, have not been shown to protect against the novel corona virus and can certainly damage the skin,” says Dr . Hollmig. “Because UV disinfectants use UV-C light, which can be dangerous, care should also be taken to avoid skin and eye contact. These devices are not intended to disinfect the skin and can be dangerous if used improperly.”

Other consumer devices that are intended to disinfect or clean such a surface or substance PhoneSoap case should be safe to use if you follow the instructions carefully. Self-cleaning water bottles use the UV-C rays to kill germs like Larq should also be safe when used properly, as they normally only work if the cap is screwed on tightly so that UV-C light cannot escape.

Is UV light safe in buildings?

Consumer devices are not the only place where UV light can be disinfected. Some stationary companies install UV lights in their facilities to completely disinfect the building and reduce the risk of COVID-19 contamination from air or surfaces.

Again because UV light is the primary germicide In the natural environment, it makes sense to choose this approach. This practice, known as “ultraviolet germicidal radiation”, has long been used in hospitals where there are many pathogens.

Based in New York Magnolia bakery is one such company, which claims to be the first company in the city to install human-safe UV lights, including a portal through which all customers go to destroy potentially pathogenic pathogens. In a press release, Magnolia Bakery says the dose is low enough to avoid health complications like burns or eye irritation.

Although the effectiveness of UV sterilization in the environment on surfaces such as floors has been confirmed, further studies are needed on the safety of indoor UV lights and their effectiveness in sterilizing clothing and human skin.

Plus that Centers for disease control and prevention say UV light “The germicidal effectiveness and use is influenced by organic substances, wavelength, type of suspension, temperature, type of microorganism and UV intensity.” To effectively kill viruses, UV-C light has to be emitted in a number of areas 200 to 280 nanometersthat has damage potential.

That’s a lot to keep in mind, and something manufacturers trying to quickly generate UV light may accidentally (or deliberately) ignore. It has happened before: It was in the past The Federal Trade Commission called out manufacturers for false claims about what their light-based products could do.

The International Ultraviolet Association agrees with the CDC, reporting that the inactivation of viruses with UV light “has been demonstrated under controlled conditions in the laboratory” and that “the effectiveness of UV light in practice depends on factors such as the exposure time and the ability of the UV light to reach the viruses in water , Air and in the folds and crevices of materials and surfaces. “

In total: Do not use UV light devices directly on your skin. Be careful when using UV light equipment on household surfaces. Do your research before going to facilities where UV lights are installed. And definitely Do not try to bring UV light (or disinfectant) into your body.

The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a doctor or other qualified healthcare provider if you have any questions about an illness or health goals.