New York:
Ultraviolet (UV) light-emitting diodes (UV-LEDs) can kill the novel coronavirus effectively, swiftly, and cheaply, according to a study which says the new innovation could be installed in air conditioning and water systems.
The analysis, published in the Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology, assessed the disinfection efficiency of UV-LED irradiation at distinct wavelengths on a virus from the family members of coronaviruses, which involves the COVID-19-causing SARS-CoV-2.
“The entire world is currently looking for effective solutions to disinfect the coronavirus,” stated Hadas Mamane, co-author of the study from the American Friends of Tel Aviv University in the US.
In order to disinfect a bus, train, sports hall, or plane by chemical spraying, the scientists stated physical manpower is necessary along with time for the chemical substances to act on the surface.
“Disinfection systems based on LED bulbs, however, can be installed in the ventilation system and air conditioner, for example, and sterilise the air sucked in and then emitted into the room,” Ms Mamane stated.
“We discovered that it is quite simple to kill the coronavirus using LED bulbs that radiate ultraviolet light. We killed the viruses using cheaper and more readily available LED bulbs, which consume little energy and do not contain mercury like regular bulbs,” she added.
The scientists think the analysis has industrial and societal implications, offered the widespread use of such LED bulbs.
With important adjustments, they stated the bulbs can be installed in air conditioning, vacuum, and water systems, and thereby be in a position to effectively disinfect massive surfaces and spaces.
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The researchers stated the technique should be developed so that a particular person is not straight exposed to the light, adding that it is quite risky to use the UV-LED to disinfect surfaces inside houses.