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IUVA Fact Sheet on UV Disinfection for COVID-19

The International Ultraviolet Association (IUVA) believes that UV disinfection technologies can play a role in a multiple barrier approach to reducing the transmission of the virus causing COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, based on current disinfection data and empirical evidence. UV is a known disinfectant for air, water and surfaces that can help to mitigate the risk of acquiring an infection in contact with the COVID-19 virus when applied correctly. "The IUVA has assembled leading experts from around the world to develop guidance on the effective use of UV technology, as a disinfection measure, to help reduce the transmission of COVID-19 virus. Established in 1999, the IUVA is a nonprofit dedicated to the advancement of ultraviolet technologies to help address public health and environmental concerns," says Dr. Ron Hofmann, Professor at the University of Toronto, and President of the IUVA.

It must be noted that “UVC”, “UV disinfection” and “UV” as used here and in the scientific, medical and technical literature, specifically and importantly refers to UVC light energy (200-280nm light) in the germicidal range which is not the same as the UVA and UVB used in tanning beds or sunlight exposure.

Facts on UV and COVID-19

Can UVC help prevent COVID-19 transmission by reducing contamination?

Based on existing evidence, we believe so. Here’s why:

UVC light has been used extensively for more than 40 years in disinfecting drinking water, waste water, air, pharmaceutical products, and surfaces against a whole suite of human pathogens (Fluence UV Dose Required review IUVA). All bacteria and viruses tested to date (many hundreds over the years, including other coronaviruses) respond to UV disinfection. Some organisms are more susceptible to UVC disinfection than others, but all tested so far do respond at the appropriate doses.

  • UVC disinfection is often used with other technologies in a multibarrier approach to ensure that whatever pathogen is not “killed” by one method (say filtering or cleaning) is inactivated by another (UVC). In this way UVC could be installed now in clinical or other settings to augment existing processes or to shore up existing protocols where these are exhausted by excessive demands due to the pandemic.

  • COVID-19 infections can be caused by contact with contaminated surfaces and then touching facial areas (less common than person-to-person, but still an issue)[vi]. Minimizing this risk is key because COVID-19 virus can live on plastic and steel surfaces for up to 3 days[vii]. Normal cleaning and disinfection may leave behind some residual contamination, which UVC can treat suggesting that a multiple disinfectant approach is prudent. UVC has been shown to achieve a high level of inactivation of a near-relative of COVID-19’s virus (i.e., SARS-CoV-1, tested with adequate dose of 254nm UV while suspended in liquid)[viii]. IUVA believes similar results can be expected when treating COVID-19’s virus, SARS-CoV-2. However, the key is applying UVC in such a way that it can effectively reach any remaining viruses on those surfaces.

  • IUVA also concurs with CDC guidance to hospitals that the germicidal effectiveness of UVC is influenced by the UVC absorbing properties of the suspension, the surface or aerosol that the organism is in; by the type or action spectra of the microorganism; and by a variety of design and operating factors that impact the delivered UV dose to the microorganism (https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/guidelines/disinfection).

  • IUVA recognizes that in the cases where the UVC light cannot reach a particular pathogen, that pathogen will not be disinfected. However in general, reducing the total number of pathogens reduces the risk of transmission. The total pathogenic load can be reduced substantially by applying UV to the many surfaces that are readily exposed, as a secondary barrier to cleaning, especially in hurried conditions. This would be a relatively straight-forward matter of illuminating the relevant surfaces with UVC light, for example the air and surfaces around/in rooms and personal protective equipment.

  • UV light, specifically between 200-280nm[i] (UVC or the germicidal range), inactivates (aka, ‘kills’) at least two other coronaviruses that are near-relatives of the COVID-19 virus: 1) SARS-CoV-1[ii] and 2) MERS-CoV[iii] [iv] [v]. An important caveat is this inactivation has been demonstrated under controlled conditions in the laboratory. The effectiveness of UV light in practice depends on factors such the exposure time and the ability of the UV light to reach the viruses in water, air, and in the folds and crevices of materials and surfaces.

Are UVC disinfection devices safe?

Like any disinfection system, UVC devices must be used properly to be safe.) They all produce varying amounts of UVC light in wavelengths of 200nm-280nm. This UVC light is much “stronger” than normal sunlight, and can cause a severe sunburn-like reaction to your skin. The target tissue in the eye would be the cornea (rather than the retina). The effect on the cornea is called photokeratitis, which is also known as welder’s flash or snow-blindness, is like a sunburn of the eye. It’s unlikely that any of the UVC light would penetrate through the cornea and then lens to reach the retina because of the short wavelength (i.e. high frequency).

Some devices also produce ozone as part of their cycle, others produce light and heat like an arc welder, others move during their cycles. Hence, general machine-human safety needs to be considered with all disinfection devices, and these considerations should be addressed in the operations manual, in the user training, and appropriate safety compliance.

Are there performance standards and UVC validation protocols for UV disinfection devices?

Given the wide array of UVC devices marketed for disinfection of air, water and solid surfaces, the lack of uniform performance standards and the highly variable degree of research, development and validation testing that is performed on different devices, the IUVA urges consumers to exercise caution when selecting equipment and look for evidence of third party testing as well as certification of device materials and electrical components by well-known organizations such as NSF, UL, CSA, DVGW-OVGW or other international requirements as applicable.

For UVC devices designed to inactivate air and solid surfaces in the healthcare industry, members of IUVA are working diligently with other national standards organizations in the lighting and healthcare industry to develop disinfection testing standards[x]. The goal is to develop guidance that will help healthcare providers world-wide choose the best possible technologies for their institutions to use in the fight against multiple drug resistant organisms and other pathogens[xi], like the COVID-19 virus.

Resources

NIST Journal: Special Section on UV Technologies for Public Health

Interest in ultraviolet-C (UV-C) irradiation as a strategy for decontaminating surfaces in the health care environment has skyrocketed during the COVID-19 pandemic. But with a lack of standards and regulations surrounding the technology’s implementation, consistent safety and efficacy is no guarantee. In response to the growing need for guidance, the Journal of Research of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has published a Special Section on Ultraviolet Technologies for Public Health in collaboration with the International Ultraviolet Association (IUVA) following a joint workshop on this critical topic for public health in January 2020.

More Information »

Please find presentations, posters, and other information from the NIST/IUVA


2020 Workshop on Ultraviolet Disinfection Technologies & Healthcare Associated Infections: Defining Standards and Metrology Needs

Supporting Global Action to Reduce the Transmission Of COVID-19, CIE Releases Two Publications on Ultraviolet Radiation Disinfection - FOR FREE

http://cie.co.at/news/cie-releases-two-key-publications-uv-disinfection

Advice (i.e., tips) for the selection and operation of equipment for the UV disinfection of air and surfaces

http://iuva.org/Advice-selection/operation-of-equipment-for-the-UV-disinfection-of-air-and

Standards for European medical devices and personal protective equipment available free of charge from The German Institute for Standardization (DIN)

https://www.din.de/en/din-and-our-partners/press/press-releases/covid-19-din-makes-standards-for-medical-equipment-available-708628

Illuminating Engineering Society. IES CR-2-20-V1, IES Committee Report: Germicidal Ultraviolet (GUV) – Frequently Asked Questions. New York: IES, 2020.

https://media.ies.org/docs/standards/IES-CR-2-20-V1-6d.pdf
References:

[i] “Miscellaneous Inactivating Agents - Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities (2008);” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID), Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion (DHQP) (https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/guidelines/disinfection/disinfection-methods/miscellaneous.html)

[ii] “Large-scale preparation of UV-inactivated SARS coronavirus virions for vaccine antigen,” Tsunetsugu-Yokota Y et al. Methods Mol Biol. 2008;454:119-26. doi: 10.1007/978-1-59745-181-9_11.

[iii] “Efficacy of an Automated Multiple Emitter Whole-Room Ultraviolet-C Disinfection System Against Coronaviruses MHV and MERS-CoV,” Bedell K et al. ICHE 2016 May;37(5):598-9. doi:10.1017/ice.2015.348. Epub 2016 Jan 28.

[iv] “Focus on Surface Disinfection When Fighting COVID-19”; William A. Rutala, PhD, MPH, CIC, David J. Weber, MD, MPH; Infection Control Today, March 20, 2020 (https://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/covid-19/focus-surface-disinfection-when-fighting-covid-19)

[v] Ibid.

[vi] “Preventing the Spread of Coronavirus Disease 2019 in Homes and Residential Communities”; National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD), Div. of Viral Diseases (https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/guidance-prevent-spread.html)

[vii] “New coronavirus stable for hours on surfaces”; CDC (extracted from N van Doremalen, et al. Aerosol and surface stability of HCoV-19 (SARS-CoV-2) compared to SARS-CoV-1. The New England Journal of Medicine. DOI: 10.1056/NEJMc2004973 (2020) (https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/new-coronavirus-stable-hours-surfaces).

[viii] “Inactivation of SARS coronavirus by means of povidone-iodine, physical conditions and chemical reagents;” Kariwa H et al. Dermatology 2006;212 (Suppl 1): 119 (https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16490989)

[ix] “Ultraviolet Radiation and the Work Environment (Revised. See: 74-121),” The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), Page last reviewed: March 29, 2017 (https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/73-11005/default.html)

[x] “Pathway to Developing a UV-C Standard – A Guide to International Standards Development”, C. Cameron Miller and Ajit Jillavenkatesa, IUVA News / Vol. 20 No. 4, 2018

[[xi] “Healthcare Associated Infections Workshop Advances Development Of Ultraviolet Disinfection Technologies,” IUVA Press Release, dated 24 Jan 2020 4:14 PM (http://iuva.org/Projects-Articles-Repository/8672736)

MENU Fact Sheet on UV Disinfection for COVID-19 IUVA COVID-19 FAQ Advice for the selection and operation of equipment for the UV disinfection of air and surfaces Discouraging the Use of UV Light on the Human Body UV Disinfection Technologies & HAI Webinar WHITE PAPERS Far UV-C Radiation: Current State-of Knowledge :: New Updated June 2021 Far UV-C in the 200 – 225 nm range, and its potential for disinfection applications :: July 2020 UV 101: Overview of Ultraviolet Disinfection UV 101: Desinfección Ultravioleta, una perspectiva general SARS-CoV-2 UV Dose-Response Behavior PDF DOWNLOADS Fact Sheet with References 情况介绍,中文 Hoja de datos, idioma español ADDITIONAL RESOURCES Seeking COVID's Kryptonite GUIDELINES FOR QUANTIFICATION OF AIRBORNE PATHOGEN INACTIVATION BY UVGI TECHNOLOGIES UV-C & Disinfection Far UV-C Radiation: Current State-of Knowledge - Webinar Video Far UV-C Radiation: Current State-of Knowledge - Webinar Slides Cohen to Ashar; an email dated Sept. 23rd, Subject:” Questions on FDA’s EUA Requirements for N95 Mask Decontamination with UV” Cowan, et al; “FDA N95 Mask Emergency Use Authorization Requirements Questions for the FDA on the Requirements for UV Testing,” September 2020. Enhancing The New Normalcy With Ultraviolet (UV) Disinfection (Part One Video) Enhancing The New Normalcy With Ultraviolet (UV) Disinfection (Part Two Video) Enhancing The New Normalcy With Ultraviolet (UV) Disinfection (Presentations) EPA Regulations About UV Lights that Claim to Kill or Be Effective Against Viruses and Bacteria Aircraft Hygiene in the Covid and Post Covid Eras: Demands, Challenges, and Opportunities Ultraviolet Disinfection Technologies & Healthcare Associated Infections: Defining Standards and Metrology Needs: Workshop Follow Up Questions on the U.S. Regulatory Coverage of UV Devices in a Hospital Expert Perspectives on UV as a Tool for N95 Decontamination The IUVA’s COVID-19 Response
针对新冠病毒,国际紫外协会在行动
Presentations, posters,and other information from the NIST/IUVA Supporting Global Action to Reduce the Transmission Of COVID-19 (CIE) FREE Update to CDC guidance on "Decontamination and Reuse of Filtering Facepiece Respirators" which highlights UV as a strong contender for disinfecting N95s. Disinfection of N95 Respirators: UV Light May Be Considered For Limited Reuse Situations IES Committee Report: Germicidal Ultraviolet (GUV) – Frequently Asked Questions
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