It is well known that SARS-CoV-2, which is the virus that causes COVID-19, can spread through respiratory droplets and surfaces contaminated by nasal, mouth, and eye secretions.
According to a review article in the journal Environmental Research, SARS-CoV-2 was present in air samples from areas such as hospital rooms and elevators. It was also measurable in poorly ventilated or crowded spaces.
SARS-CoV-2 was also viable for several days on common surfaces, such as stainless steel and plastic.
Because of the urgent need to find effective disinfection methods for SARS-CoV-2, researchers from Tel Aviv University in Israel — in collaboration with the University of Haifa, Oranim Academic College, and Chaim Sheba Medical Center at Tel HaShomer — set out to investigate whether or not irradiation using UV LED would inactivate human coronaviruses.
Due to the hazards of chemical methods, professionally designed UV LED disinfection systems may be a safer solution — one that can disinfect surfaces, air, and water.
According to Prof. Mamane, the researchers “killed the viruses using cheaper and more readily available LED bulbs, which consume little energy and do not contain mercury like regular bulbs.”
“Our research has commercial and societal implications, given the possibility of using such LED bulbs in all areas of our lives, safely and quickly.”
This is just a couple of steps towards reinventing new attempt to kill coronavirus disease.