As the world continues to race toward vaccines for Covid-19, a new Israeli study shows that the humble light bulb could play a major role in the fight against pandemic.
Researchers have found that coronavirus can be killed quickly, efficiently and cheaply by using ultraviolet light emitting codes, or UV LED lights.
In a study recently published in the Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology researchers found that 267 nanometers is the best wavelength for killing the coronavirus.
They also found that a wavelength of 286 nanometers is almost as effective, requiring less than half a minute to destroy more than 99.9 percent of coronaviruses – good news considering 286 nm bulbs LEDs are much cheaper and easier to obtain, and could be installed in ventilation and water systems.
Professor Hadas Mamane. Image courtesy of Tel Aviv University
Professor Hadas Mamane at Tel Aviv University, who led the study, believes the technology will soon be available for use.
“The whole world is currently looking for effective solutions to disinfect the coronavirus,” she says. “The problem is that to disinfect a bus, train, gym or plane with chemical spraying, you need physical manpower, and for the spray to be effective, you need to allow chemical time to be working on the surface.
“But the disinfection systems based on LED bulbs can be installed in the ventilation system and air conditioner, for example, and the inhaled air can then be let into the air. the room. ”
Mamane explains that killing the coronavirus is very simple by using LED bulbs that emit ultraviolet light.
“But importantly, we killed the viruses by using cheaper and easier LED bulbs, which have little energy and no mercury like regular bulbs. Our research has both commercial and social implications, as it is possible to use these LED bulbs in all areas of our lives, safely and quickly. “
Ultraviolet radiation is a common way to kill viruses and bacteria. Ultraviolet disinfection bulbs, for example, are found in household water purifiers.
Earlier this year, scientists concluded that applying ultraviolet light to indoor ventilation systems can quickly and effectively eliminate both Covid-19 which is deposited with surface and surface.
Despite the intriguing discovery, this is not the time to string purple lights throughout your home.
“Indeed, as has always been the case with ultraviolet radiation, it is important to make it clear that it is dangerous to try to use this method to disinfect surfaces inside homes,” says Mamane. warning.
“You need to know how to design these systems and how to work with them so that you are not exposed to the light. ”