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Predicting airborne coronavirus inactivation by far-UVC in populated rooms using a high-fidelity coupled radiation-CFD model.
Buchan, Andrew G; Yang, Liang; Atkinson, Kirk D.
  • Buchan AG; School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, London, E1 4NS, UK.
  • Yang L; School of Water, Energy and Environment (SWEE), Cranfield University, Bedford, MK43 0AL, UK.
  • Atkinson KD; Faculty of Energy Systems and Nuclear Science, Ontario Tech University, Oshawa, Ontario, L1G 0C5, Canada. kirk.atkinson@ontariotechu.ca.
Sci Rep ; 10(1): 19659, 2020 11 12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-922273
ABSTRACT
There are increased risks of contracting COVID-19 in hospitals and long-term care facilities, particularly for vulnerable groups. In these environments aerosolised coronavirus released through breathing increases the chance of spreading the disease. To reduce aerosol transmissions, the use of low dose far-UVC lighting to disinfect in-room air has been proposed. Unlike typical UVC, which has been used to kill microorganisms for decades but is carcinogenic and cataractogenic, recent evidence has shown that far-UVC is safe to use around humans. A high-fidelity, fully-coupled radiation transport and fluid dynamics model has been developed to quantify disinfection rates within a typical ventilated room. The model shows that disinfection rates are increased by a further 50-85% when using far-UVC within currently recommended exposure levels compared to the room's  ventilation alone. With these magnitudes of reduction, far-UVC lighting could be employed to mitigate SARS-CoV-2 transmission before the onset of future waves, or the start of winter when risks of infection are higher. This is particularly significant in poorly-ventilated spaces where other means of reduction are not practical, in addition social distancing can be reduced without increasing the risk.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Ultraviolet Rays / Disinfection / SARS-CoV-2 / COVID-19 Type of study: Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study / Randomized controlled trials Limits: Humans Language: English Journal: Sci Rep Year: 2020 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: S41598-020-76597-y

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Ultraviolet Rays / Disinfection / SARS-CoV-2 / COVID-19 Type of study: Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study / Randomized controlled trials Limits: Humans Language: English Journal: Sci Rep Year: 2020 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: S41598-020-76597-y