Impact of High Solar UV Radiant Exposures in Spring 2020 on SARS‐CoV‐2 Viral Inactivation in the UK<sup>†</sup>

Rendell, Rebecca J.; Khazova, Marina; Higlett, Michael; O’Hagan, John

doi:10.1111/php.13401

Cited by 6 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 11 publications

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“…Yet, the available data on SARS-CoV-2 contagions show indisputably that the ongoing pandemic has a lower impact during summer time and in countries with a high solar illumination (e.g. 15,19,20,22,24,[47][48][49] ). This suggests that UV-B/A Solar photons may play a role in the evolution of this pandemic, perhaps in combination with more subtle, and related, indirect factors such as temperature and humidity.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Solar UV-B/A radiation is highly effective in inactivating SARS-CoV-2

Nicastro

Sironi

Antonello

et al. 2021

Sci Rep

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Solar UV-C photons do not reach Earth’s surface, but are known to be endowed with germicidal properties that are also effective on viruses. The effect of softer UV-B and UV-A photons, which copiously reach the Earth’s surface, on viruses are instead little studied, particularly on single-stranded RNA viruses. Here we combine our measurements of the action spectrum of Covid-19 in response to UV light, Solar irradiation measurements on Earth during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemics, worldwide recorded Covid-19 mortality data and our “Solar-Pump” diffusive model of epidemics to show that (a) UV-B/A photons have a powerful virucidal effect on the single-stranded RNA virus Covid-19 and that (b) the Solar radiation that reaches temperate regions of the Earth at noon during summers, is sufficient to inactivate 63% of virions in open-space concentrations (1.5 × 103 TCID50/mL, higher than typical aerosol) in less than 2 min. We conclude that the characteristic seasonality imprint displayed world-wide by the SARS-Cov-2 mortality time-series throughout the diffusion of the outbreak (with temperate regions showing clear seasonal trends and equatorial regions suffering, on average, a systematically lower mortality), might have been efficiently set by the different intensity of UV-B/A Solar radiation hitting different Earth’s locations at different times of the year. Our results suggest that Solar UV-B/A play an important role in planning strategies of confinement of the epidemics, which should be worked out and set up during spring/summer months and fully implemented during low-solar-irradiation periods.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Solar UV-B/A radiation is highly effective in inactivating SARS-CoV-2

Nicastro

Sironi

Antonello

et al. 2021

Sci Rep

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Yet, the available data on SARS-CoV-2 contagions show indisputably that the ongoing pandemic has a lower impact during summer time and in countries with a high solar illumination (e.g. [15,19,20,22,24,[47][48][49]). This suggests that UV-B/A Solar photons may play a role in the evolution of this pandemic, perhaps in combination with more subtle, and related, indirect factors such as temperature and humidity.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Solar UV–B/A Radiation is Highly Effective in Inactivating SARS-CoV-2

Nicastro

Sironi

Antonello

et al. 2020

Preprint

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It is well known that 200-290 nm ultraviolet photons (hereinafter UV-C radiation) photo-chemically interacts with DNA and RNA and are endowed with germicidal properties that are also effective on viruses. Fortunately, Solar UV-C photons of this wavelength are filtered out by the Ozone layer of the upper Atmosphere, at around 35 km. Softer UV photons from the Sun with wavelengths in the range 290-320 nm (UV-B) and 320-400 nm (UV-A), however, do reach the Earth s surface. The effect of these photons on Single- and Double-Stranded RNA/DNA viruses and the possible role they play on the seasonality of epidemics, are nevertheless little studied and highly debated in alternative or complementarity to other environmental causes. Notably though, the effects of both direct and indirect radiation from the Sun needs to be considered in order to completely explain the effects of UV radiations in life processes (with e.g. the UV virucidal effect enhanced in combination to the concomitant process of water droplets depletion because of Solar heat). Herein we present a number of concurring circumstantial evidence suggesting that the evolution and strength of the recent Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-Cov-2) pandemics, might be have been modulated by the intensity of UV-B and UV-A Solar radiation hitting different regions of Earth during the diffusion of the outbreak between January and May 2020. Out findings, if confirmed by more in depth data analysis and modeling of the epidemics, which includes Solar modulation, could help in designing the social behaviors to be adopted depending on season and environmental conditions.

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“…Solar UV is the primary natural viricidal agent (4-6) which may help reduce viral load outdoors. However, seasonal changes in Europe with diminishing contribution of sun exposure to viral control (7,8) and people moving indoors for occupational, educational and most of their recreational activities, has shifted the emphasis to the deployment of affordable measures to abate COVID-19 transmission including the use of artificial UV radiation in public places and at home.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Survey of Home‐Use UV Disinfection Products^†

Khazova

Johnstone

Naldzhiev

et al. 2021

Photochem & Photobiology

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The COVID-19 pandemic provided a commercial opportunity for traders marketing a range of ultraviolet (UV) radiation products for home-use disinfection. Due to concerns about the efficacy of such products and the potential for harmful levels of UV exposure to people, a range of products were purchased from on-line trading platforms. Spectral irradiance measurements were carried out to determine whether the products could be effective against the SARS-CoV-2 virus and whether they were likely to exceed internationally agreed exposure limits. It was concluded that many of the devices were not effective and many of those that were potentially effective presented a risk to users.

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Impact of High Solar UV Radiant Exposures in Spring 2020 on SARS‐CoV‐2 Viral Inactivation in the UK^†

Cited by 6 publications

References 11 publications

Solar UV-B/A radiation is highly effective in inactivating SARS-CoV-2

Solar UV-B/A radiation is highly effective in inactivating SARS-CoV-2

Solar UV–B/A Radiation is Highly Effective in Inactivating SARS-CoV-2

Survey of Home‐Use UV Disinfection Products^†

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Impact of High Solar UV Radiant Exposures in Spring 2020 on SARS‐CoV‐2 Viral Inactivation in the UK†

Cited by 6 publications

References 11 publications

Solar UV-B/A radiation is highly effective in inactivating SARS-CoV-2

Solar UV-B/A radiation is highly effective in inactivating SARS-CoV-2

Solar UV–B/A Radiation is Highly Effective in Inactivating SARS-CoV-2

Survey of Home‐Use UV Disinfection Products†

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About

Impact of High Solar UV Radiant Exposures in Spring 2020 on SARS‐CoV‐2 Viral Inactivation in the UK^†

Survey of Home‐Use UV Disinfection Products^†