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Ultraviolet C lamps for disinfection of surfaces potentially contaminated with SARS-CoV-2 in critical hospital settings: examples of their use and some practical advice
- Source :
- BMC Infectious Diseases, BMC Infectious Diseases, Vol 21, Iss 1, Pp 1-13 (2021)
- Publication Year :
- 2021
- Publisher :
- Springer Science and Business Media LLC, 2021.
-
Abstract
- Background UltraViolet-C (UV-C) lamps may be used to supplement current hospital cleaning and disinfection of surfaces contaminated by SARS-CoV-2. Our aim is to provide some practical indications for the correct use of UV-C lamps. Methods We studied three UV-C lamps, measuring their spatial irradiance and emission over time. We quantify the error that is committed by calculating the irradiation time based exclusively on the technical data of the lamps or by making direct irradiance measurements. Finally, we tested specific dosimeters for UV-C. Results Our results show that the spatial emission of UV-C lamps is strongly dependent on the power of the lamps and on the design of their reflectors. Only by optimizing the positioning and calculating the exposure time correctly, is it possible to dispense the dose necessary to obtain SARS-CoV-2 inactivation. In the absence of suitable equipment for measuring irradiance, the calculated irradiation time can be underestimated. We therefore consider it precautionary to increase the calculated times by at least 20%. Conclusion To use UV-C lamps effectively, it is necessary to follow a few simple precepts when choosing, positioning and verifying the lamps. In the absence of instruments dedicated to direct verification of irradiance, photochromic UV-C dosimeters may represent a useful tool for easily verifying that a proper UV-C dose has been delivered.
- Subjects :
- 0301 basic medicine
2019-20 coronavirus outbreak
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Ultraviolet Rays
Environmental contamination
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)
Irradiance
Infectious and parasitic diseases
RC109-216
Irradiation time
UV-C dosimeters
medicine.disease_cause
UV-C disinfection
03 medical and health sciences
0302 clinical medicine
medicine
Humans
030212 general & internal medicine
Process engineering
Disinfection methods
Dosimeter
SARS-CoV-2
business.industry
Research
COVID-19
Hospitals
Disinfection
030104 developmental biology
Infectious Diseases
UV-C lamps
Virus Inactivation
Environmental science
business
Ultraviolet
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 14712334
- Volume :
- 21
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- BMC Infectious Diseases
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....be364a13bdae76b35ac3e78d4f486138