Pulsed broad-spectrum UV light effectively inactivates SARS-CoV-2 on multiple surfaces

Abstract

The ongoing SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has resulted in an increased need for technologies capable of efficiently disinfecting public spaces as well as personal protective equipment. UV light disinfection is a well-established method for inactivating respiratory viruses. Here, we have determined that broad-spectrum, pulsed UV light is effective at inactivating SARS-CoV-2 on multiple surfaces. For hard, non-porous surfaces we observed that SARS-CoV-2 was inactivated to undetectable levels on plastic and glass with a UV dose of 34.9 mJ/cm2 and stainless steel with a dose of 52.5 mJ/cm2. We also observed that broad-spectrum, pulsed UV light is effective at reducing SARS-CoV-2 on N95 respirator material to undetectable levels with a dose of 103 mJ/cm2. We included UV dosimeter cards that provide a colorimetric readout of UV dose and demonstrated their utility as a means to confirm desired levels of exposure were reached. Together, the results present here demonstrate that broad-spectrum, pulsed UV light is an effective technology for the inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 on multiple surfaces.

Specificity of UV-C LED Disinfection Efficacy for Three N95 Respirators

“…More recently, UV technology has been increasingly used for disinfection of surfaces in hospital settings [40][41][42] . A recent study examined the impact of common hospital surfaces (plastic, stainless steel and copper) on UV disinfection e ciency 43 ; however, there is still a signi cant gap in UV surface disinfection knowledge. As mentioned by a recent study 44 , the applied UV uence delivered onto a surface does not necessarily re ect the UV uence received.…”