Further evidence that far-UVC for disinfection is unlikely to cause erythema or pre-mutagenic DNA lesions in skin

ABSTRACT

It is well understood that ultraviolet-C (UVC) radiation is effective for the destruction of micro-organisms and drug-resistant bacteria and is being investigated for its effectiveness at destroying the virus responsible for the current Covid-19 global pandemic. Far-UVC (200 - 220 nm) has been proposed as an effective disinfection radiation that is safe to humans. In 2014, Woods et al. undertook a first-in-person study to assess the effect on skin of a 222 nm UVC emitting device (Sterilray disinfectant wand, Healthy Environment Innovations, Dover, NH, USA).