Shedding a light on ultraviolet-C technologies in the hospital environment

Demeersseman, Nele; Saegeman, Veroniek; Cossey, Veerle; ir, Herman Devriese; Schuermans, Annette

doi:10.1016/j.jhin.2022.12.009

Cited by 26 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…Most safety studies regarding UVC sterilization have addressed the potential for direct harm to humans (i.e., what happens if humans are directly exposed to the UVC radiation? ). − ,, As mentioned previously, lactic acid is prevalent in indoor environments due to human emissions, where it will likely be found on surfaces or in aerosols due to its low vapor pressure. , We therefore suggest that lactic acid photolysis may be occurring in such indoor environments and could produce harmful byproducts during these UVC sterilization procedures. However, most photochemical studies address photochemistry in the modern Earth’s outdoor environment where UVC is not available, and thus, few studies have addressed photochemistry using radiation with energies equal to UVC sterilization procedures. − Previous work by Deal et al and others ,, suggests that lactic acid may be photoactive under these conditions and, if so, will produce harmful byproducts (e.g., CO and formic acid) that may remain even after the UVC sterilization is complete, thereby posing an indirect risk to human health.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 59%

“…On modern Earth, there has been increased interest in using UVC radiation (λ < 280 nm) for sterilization in indoor environments. − The lamps used for UVC sterilization include mercury gas discharge lamps (λ = 254 nm), UVC light-emitting diodes (λ ranges from 255 to 285 nm), pulsed xenon arc lamps (λ = 200–280 nm), and recently proposed excimer lamps (e.g., Kr-Cl excimer, λ = 222 nm). − Historically, UVC sterilization was primarily used in hospital settings in the form of hand-held sterilization devices or overhead UVC lamps and sterilization procedures were primarily performed during room changeover, between patients. − ,, However, with the outbreak of COVID-19, there has been interest in expanding UVC sterilization in other, more public areas including airports, shopping malls, and even educational settings. ,,, …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Oxygen Effect on the Ultraviolet-C Photochemistry of Lactic Acid

Deal

Vaida

2023

J. Phys. Chem. A

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Lactic acid, a small α-hydroxyacid, is ubiquitous in both indoor and outdoor environments. Recently, the photochemistry of lactic acid has garnered interest among the abiotic organic chemistry community as it would have been present in abiotic settings and photoactive with the high-energy solar radiation that would have been available in the low oxygen early Earth environment. Additionally, we propose that the photochemistry of lactic acid is relevant to modern Earth during indoor ultraviolet-C (UVC) sterilization procedures as lactic acid is emitted by humans and is thus prevalent in indoor environments where UVC sterilization is increasingly being used. Here, we study the oxygen effect on the gas phase photolysis of lactic acid using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and isotopically labeled oxygen (18O2). We find that the major products of gas phase lactic acid photolysis are CO2, CO, acetaldehyde, and acetic acid. Furthermore, these products are the same with or without added oxygen, but the partial pressures of produced CO2, CO, and acetaldehyde increase with the amount of added oxygen. Notably, the added oxygen is primarily incorporated into produced CO2 and CO, while little or none is incorporated into acetaldehyde. We combine the results presented here with those in the literature to propose a mechanism for the gas phase photolysis of lactic acid and the role of oxygen in this mechanism. Finally, we compare the output of a krypton-chloride excimer lamp (λ = 222 nm), one of the lamps proposed for UVC sterilization procedures, to the absorption of lactic acid. We show that lactic acid would be photoactive during UVC sterilization procedures, and we use the gas phase results presented here and aqueous lactic acid photolysis results previously published to assess potential byproducts from lactic acid reactions during UVC sterilization procedures.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 59%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Oxygen Effect on the Ultraviolet-C Photochemistry of Lactic Acid

Deal

Vaida

2023

J. Phys. Chem. A

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“…If readily available, these may be considered adjunctive means of cleaning high-touch devices or equipment in patient-care areas such as phones, in addition to hand hygiene. [36][37][38] Question 4. What is the optimal distance between patients for isolation when not in a private room?…”

Section: Recommendationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…If readily available, these may be considered adjunctive means of cleaning high-touch devices or equipment in patient-care areas such as phones, in addition to hand hygiene. 36–38…”

Section: Practical Approaches: Questions and Answersmentioning

confidence: 99%

SHEA NICU white paper series: Practical approaches for the prevention of viral respiratory infections

Thampi,

Guzman-Cottrill,

Bartlett

et al. 2023

Infect. Control Hosp. Epidemiol.

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This white paper provides clinicians and hospital leaders with practical guidance on the prevention and control of viral respiratory infections in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). This document serves as a companion to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC)’s “Prophylaxis and Screening for Prevention of Viral Respiratory Infections in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Patients: A Systematic Review.” It provides practical, expert opinion and/or evidence-based answers to frequently asked questions about viral respiratory detection and prevention in the NICU. It was developed by a writing panel of pediatric and pathogen-specific experts who collaborated with members of the HICPAC systematic review writing panel and the SHEA Pediatric Leadership Council to identify questions that should be addressed. The document has been endorsed by SHEA, the American Hospital Association (AHA), The Joint Commission, the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society (PIDS), the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC), the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA), and the National Association of Neonatal Nurses (NANN).

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“…The recent increase in demand for and interest in ultraviolet (UV) light devices for disinfection has led to increased research to optimize the process and achieve better disinfection rates 1 . One key aspect of evaluating and optimizing the efficiency of a UV reactor is understanding the path of light as it travels through the system.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparison of radiant intensity in aqueous media using experimental and numerical simulation techniques

Uppinakudru,

Casado,

Reynolds

et al. 2024

Open Res Europe

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Background Measurement of light intensity reaching a point of interest in complex systems is a challenge faced by academia and industry. This study analyzes an optical ray tracing method to predict the radiant intensity reaching a point of interest in a germicidal system. Methods Implementation was performed by analyzing how the method compares with the discrete ordinate method, radiometry, and actinometry. This study further quantified the effect of the photoreactor quartz tube on the measured intensity for multiple wavelengths. Results Light intensity losses were estimated to be 10 ± 0.5% for the FX-1 265 source. In contrast, the simulation in a water medium showed an increase of up to 64% in the light intensity delivered to the central part of the tube owing to internal reflections and scattering. Model predictions from ray tracing were successfully compared with the discrete ordinate method (DOM) and experimental data (within ± 6%), ensuring the accurate design of complex systems for water disinfection. Conclusions The data from simulations address the challenges faced in complex radiation modeling and demonstrate that the method can be utilized as a useful tool for optimization and prediction.

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Shedding a light on ultraviolet-C technologies in the hospital environment

Cited by 26 publications

References 34 publications

Oxygen Effect on the Ultraviolet-C Photochemistry of Lactic Acid

Oxygen Effect on the Ultraviolet-C Photochemistry of Lactic Acid

SHEA NICU white paper series: Practical approaches for the prevention of viral respiratory infections

Comparison of radiant intensity in aqueous media using experimental and numerical simulation techniques

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