Effectiveness of a New Ultraviolet C Disinfection System to Inactivate Airborne Coronavirus in Different Environmental Conditions.

ABSTRACT

Airborne infectious diseases have been a major worldwide concern for many years. The sudden and fast spread of the severe acute respiratory syndrome 2, causing the coronavirus disease 2019 in a pandemic form, has intensified the necessity of constant environmental disinfection. Among the possible technologies that can be used for air disinfection is the ultraviolet germicidal irradiation through the use of ultraviolet C light. The main mechanism involved in ultraviolet C light inactivation of microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, protozoa, fungi, yeasts, and others is mainly due to its capacity to promote dimerization of pyrimidine, disturbing the microorganism's DNA (and RNA) replication and transcription, therefore leading to cell death. The aim of this study was to validate the efficacy of a new ultraviolet C light disinfection system to deactivate viruses such as coronavirus in different environmental conditions. The device was effective in the neutralization of airborne particles containing coronavirus genus samples, presenting >99.99% of inactivation rate in an aerosolization test, simulating the real conditions in which this virus is most transmitted in different environments.