It is widely reported that hospitals and laboratories frequently use ultraviolet (UV) light to eliminate harmful bacteria. However, this method comes with a significant drawback: it can be dangerous to humans. As a result, UV sterilization is typically carried out in unoccupied rooms or empty lab hoods to prevent exposure.
In recent years, scientists have discovered that shorter wavelengths of bactericidal UV light might not pose a risk to human health. Based on this theory, they are working to develop a new tool that could be safely used in various public spaces, such as schools, airplanes, food processing plants, and even in operating rooms and laboratories. The goal is to help reduce the spread of infectious diseases.
UV light works by breaking the molecular bonds that hold bacterial DNA together, effectively killing the microorganisms. The most commonly used type is UV-C light, which has a wavelength of 254 nm. While effective, this wavelength can penetrate the skin and eyes, increasing the risk of conditions like skin cancer and cataracts.
To address these concerns, physicist David Brenner from Columbia University Medical Center in New York led a research team over the past four years to test far-ultraviolet light, which cannot penetrate the eye or the surface of the skin. Their findings showed that this type of UV light successfully killed surface bacteria without harming experimental mice.
In addition, researchers published a preprint study on bioRxiv on December 28, 2017, detailing how Brenner and his team tested whether far-short-wave UV light could tackle major public health issues, such as airborne bacteria in workplaces.
In one experiment, the team introduced the flu virus into a test chamber and exposed it to UV light at 222 nm. A control group was left untreated. Afterward, liquid samples were collected and applied to dog kidney cells that are susceptible to influenza. The results revealed that the untreated samples infected the cells, while those exposed to the UV light did not.
Shawn Gibbs, an industrial hygienist and researcher at Indiana University School of Public Health, believes that if this technology proves successful, short-wave UV light could play a key role in preventing the spread of diseases. His work has focused on evaluating the disinfection effectiveness of this emerging technology.
With ongoing research and real-world applications, far-short-wave UV light shows great promise as a safe and effective alternative to traditional sterilization methods. It could revolutionize infection control in public and medical settings, offering a powerful tool in the fight against disease transmission.
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