Evaluation of Ultraviolet-C Light for Rapid Decontamination of Airport Security Bins in the Era of SARS-CoV-2

Abstract

Background: Contaminated surfaces are a potential source for spread of respiratory viruses including SARS-CoV-2. Ultraviolet-C (UV-C) light is effective against RNA and DNA viruses and could be useful for decontamination of high-touch fomites that are shared by multiple users. Methods: A modification of the American Society for Testing and Materials standard quantitative carrier disk test method (ASTM E-2197-11) was used to examine the effectiveness of ultraviolet-C (UV-C) light for rapid decontamination of plastic airport security bins inoculated at 3 sites with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and bacteriophages MS2, PhiX174, and Phi6, an enveloped RNA virus used as a surrogate for coronaviruses. Three log10 reductions on inoculated plastic bins were considered effective for decontamination. Results: UV-C light administered as 10-, 20-, or 30-second cycles in proximity to a plastic bin reduced contamination on each of the test sites, including vertical and horizontal surfaces. The 30-second cycle met criteria for decontamination of all 3 test sites for all the test organisms except bacteriophage MS2 which was reduced by greater than 2 log10 PFU at each site. Conclusions: UV-C light is an attractive technology for rapid decontamination of airport security bins. Further work is needed to evaluate the utility of UV-C light in real-world settings and to develop methods to provide automated movement of bins through a UV-C decontamination process.

A systematic review of mask disinfection and reuse for SARS-CoV-2 (through July 10, 2020)

“…Overall, 16 studies measured disinfection and durability 12, 15, 19, 20, 22, 27-30, 33, 36, 47, 49, 51, 62, 64 , 16 studies measured only disinfection 13, 18, 23, 24, 31, 38, 40, 41, 43, 44, 48, 56, 63, 65-67 and 26 studies measured only durability 7, 14, 16, 17, 21, 25, 26, 32, 34, 35, 37, 39, 42, 45, 46, 50, 52-55, 57-61, 68 . Thus, 32 studies measured disinfection and 42 measured durability.…”

“…In total, 92 individual mask disinfection tests were conducted across 32 studies 12, 13, 15, 18-20, 22-24, 27-31, 33, 36, 38, 40, 41, 43, 44, 47-49, 51, 56, 62-67 . The masks tested included: 75 tests with N95s (82%), 5 (5%) with cloth masks, 4 (4%) with surgical masks, three (3%) with KN95s, three (3%) with Tyvek, and 1 (1%) with a plastic face shield and 1 (1%) unspecified.…”

Photoinactivation of the Coronavirus Surrogate phi6 by Visible Light

“…30 kb ssRNA, size 100−150 nm). In studies on ultraviolet radiation inactivation (30,31), temperature and humidity properties (32), recovery from hands (33), and persistence in water, sewage or on surfaces (34–37) phi6 results were usually within the range of published results of different coronaviruses. Additionally, phi6 has also been suggested as surrogate for enveloped human viruses in visible light photodynamic inactivation (with additional photosensitizers) though without performing a direct comparison to coronaviruses (38) and in their review Costa et al (39) conclude that the photodynamic inactivation mechanisms in mammalian viruses and bacteriophages are similar and therefore phages can be employed as useful surrogates in this kind of application.…”

Rapid and Efficient Inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 from Surfaces using UVC Light Emitting Diode Device

“…UVC irradiation has been shown to be effective against a number of human pathogens. [18][19][20][26][27][28] SARS-CoV-2 has been reported to be inactivated by UVC irradiation. 18,28,29 However, some devices that generate UVC radiation have required prolonged periods of exposure to inactivate SARS-CoV-2.…”