Breakthroughs in lower wavelength ultraviolet (UV) light technology may prove useful in killing the virus on surfaces and in open areas. A Columbia University study reports it is safe on humans unlike higher wavelength germicidal lamps that can cause cancer. A board-certified internal medicine physician explains how it works.
“It does not kill or penetrate our skin, but it does kill and penetrate the virus,” Dr. Eddie Fatakhov told NTD. At the Center for Internal and Integrative Medicine in Alpharetta, Georgia, Fatakhov uses 222 nanometer light in his waiting rooms and air ducts to disinfect the air and surfaces.
Using UV lights to disinfect areas and surfaces has been used in other countries. For example, in Russia, certain types of UV lights have been used to disinfect the metro.
But Fatakhov said these new 222 nanometer lights could disinfect the subways while people ride in them if the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves them.
“This can be implemented in hospitals, all across the country, it can be implemented in our public transit system, and you know the FDA should at least take a look at,” Fatakhov said.
Additionally, robots are used to disinfect hospitals with UV light, but Fatakhov says they’re slow and expensive, compared to the lower wavelength light.
“You just pick up the wand and go down the hall and just kind of disinfect everything. And you can do liquid surfaces, you could do N-95, the robot cannot disinfect N-95,” he said.
Older germicidal lamps that use 254 nanometer UV light can ruin N-95 masks if used to disinfect them. But Fatakhov said the lower wavelength light can disinfect personal protective equipment without damaging it.
Reuters contributed to this report.
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