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Far-UVC describes a type of ultraviolet germicidal irradiation being studied [1] and commercially developed [2] for its combination of pathogen inactivation properties and reduced negative effects on human health [3].
Compared to the broader spectrum of UVC (UV-C) light it sits within, far-UVC is classified by a shorter wavelength (200-235 nm). This shorter wavelength has been shown to have minimal effects on eye and skin health [3], although far-UVC can still produce negative health effects by interacting with airborne oxygen to produce ozone, an air pollutant.
While the technology has been studied since the early 2010s, heightened demand for disinfectant tools during the COVID-19 pandemic played a significant role in spurring both academic and commercial interest into far-UVC.
Although far-UVC shows potential for implementation in a wide variety of use cases, its wider adoption as a pandemic prevention strategy requires further research around its safety and efficacy.
Far-UVC's development was primarily led by the research of Dr. David J. Brenner and his colleagues (including David Welch and Manuela Buonanno) at Columbia University's Center for Radiological Research. In the early 2010s, Brenner initially studied far-UVC for its potential as a surgical site disinfectant [4]. Over the next decade, his lab began to study the technology for its ability to prevent the airborne transmission of pathogens, as well as its health effects on mammalian skin [5]. In 2018, a seminal paper published by Brenner's lab announced the technology as an inexpensive and safe technology to reduce the spread of airborne microbial diseases like tuberculosis and influenza [3].
During the COVID-19 pandemic far-UVC research [6] and commercialization [2] efforts increased. The technology is currently being further studied for its safety and efficacy, particularly regarding its effect on ozone creation [7] and interactions with indoor air chemistry and the built environment [8]. Latest studies uphold initial evidence towards the technology's germicidal efficacy in realistic room-like environments [1].
In addition to the Brenner lab, other researchers have studied the improved safety and efficacy profile of far-UVC [9]. When dealing with ultraviolet germicidal lights, impacts on eye and skin health are of top concern. At higher wavelengths UVC (as well as UVA and UVB) can cause irritation, sunburn, photokeratitis, and potentially even cancerous effects [10]. Far-UVC has been shown in lab mice [11] and humans to not cause any significant impacts on skin or eye health, even in doses that far exceed guidelines [12]. This is because it fails to penetrate outer layers of the epidermis, and in the case eyes, fails to penetrate the outer liquid tear layer [3] [13].
When UVC light collides with airborne oxygen molecules, it can break these molecules apart and form ozone. The extent to which far-UVC leads to ozone buildup in indoor environments, as well as the extent that this is harmful to human health, remains a subject of research for scientists. [cite and include sentence on direction of latest findings]
A key concern for far-UVC implementations is balancing radiation dosage and microbial inactivation rates [14]. Although far-UVC has been shown to be effective at inactivating a wide array at viruses at relatively low doses [15], the optimal dosage for achieving sufficient deactivation and indoor air quality standards [16] requires further study.
The most common device used to generate far-UVC radiation is a Krypton Chloride (KrCl) excimer lamp, which emits light at the 222 nm wavelength. Following the sudden increase in demand for disinfectant tools brought upon by the COVID-19 pandemic, a number of companies began to market and sell consumer far-UVC devices. These devices comes in many different configurations and commercial form factors. [can I cite something here?].
Considering the technology's evolving nature, regulatory bodies around the world have not yet created binding standards as to what is considered a safe and effective dosage for far-UVC implementations, nor have they created certifications or regulations for the safety of commercial far-UVC devices. There are however guidelines for exposure thresholds and indoor air quality put in place by professional associations [9] [17].
Draft article not currently submitted for review.
This is a draft Articles for creation (AfC) submission. It is not currently pending review. While there are no deadlines, abandoned drafts may be deleted after six months. To edit the draft click on the "Edit" tab at the top of the window. To be accepted, a draft should:
It is strongly discouraged to write about yourself, your business or employer. If you do so, you must declare it. Where to get help
How to improve a draft
You can also browse Wikipedia:Featured articles and Wikipedia:Good articles to find examples of Wikipedia's best writing on topics similar to your proposed article. Improving your odds of a speedy review To improve your odds of a faster review, tag your draft with relevant WikiProject tags using the button below. This will let reviewers know a new draft has been submitted in their area of interest. For instance, if you wrote about a female astronomer, you would want to add the Biography, Astronomy, and Women scientists tags. Editor resources
Last edited by
Citation bot (
talk |
contribs) 2 seconds ago. (
Update) |
|
Far-UVC describes a type of ultraviolet germicidal irradiation being studied [1] and commercially developed [2] for its combination of pathogen inactivation properties and reduced negative effects on human health [3].
Compared to the broader spectrum of UVC (UV-C) light it sits within, far-UVC is classified by a shorter wavelength (200-235 nm). This shorter wavelength has been shown to have minimal effects on eye and skin health [3], although far-UVC can still produce negative health effects by interacting with airborne oxygen to produce ozone, an air pollutant.
While the technology has been studied since the early 2010s, heightened demand for disinfectant tools during the COVID-19 pandemic played a significant role in spurring both academic and commercial interest into far-UVC.
Although far-UVC shows potential for implementation in a wide variety of use cases, its wider adoption as a pandemic prevention strategy requires further research around its safety and efficacy.
Far-UVC's development was primarily led by the research of Dr. David J. Brenner and his colleagues (including David Welch and Manuela Buonanno) at Columbia University's Center for Radiological Research. In the early 2010s, Brenner initially studied far-UVC for its potential as a surgical site disinfectant [4]. Over the next decade, his lab began to study the technology for its ability to prevent the airborne transmission of pathogens, as well as its health effects on mammalian skin [5]. In 2018, a seminal paper published by Brenner's lab announced the technology as an inexpensive and safe technology to reduce the spread of airborne microbial diseases like tuberculosis and influenza [3].
During the COVID-19 pandemic far-UVC research [6] and commercialization [2] efforts increased. The technology is currently being further studied for its safety and efficacy, particularly regarding its effect on ozone creation [7] and interactions with indoor air chemistry and the built environment [8]. Latest studies uphold initial evidence towards the technology's germicidal efficacy in realistic room-like environments [1].
In addition to the Brenner lab, other researchers have studied the improved safety and efficacy profile of far-UVC [9]. When dealing with ultraviolet germicidal lights, impacts on eye and skin health are of top concern. At higher wavelengths UVC (as well as UVA and UVB) can cause irritation, sunburn, photokeratitis, and potentially even cancerous effects [10]. Far-UVC has been shown in lab mice [11] and humans to not cause any significant impacts on skin or eye health, even in doses that far exceed guidelines [12]. This is because it fails to penetrate outer layers of the epidermis, and in the case eyes, fails to penetrate the outer liquid tear layer [3] [13].
When UVC light collides with airborne oxygen molecules, it can break these molecules apart and form ozone. The extent to which far-UVC leads to ozone buildup in indoor environments, as well as the extent that this is harmful to human health, remains a subject of research for scientists. [cite and include sentence on direction of latest findings]
A key concern for far-UVC implementations is balancing radiation dosage and microbial inactivation rates [14]. Although far-UVC has been shown to be effective at inactivating a wide array at viruses at relatively low doses [15], the optimal dosage for achieving sufficient deactivation and indoor air quality standards [16] requires further study.
The most common device used to generate far-UVC radiation is a Krypton Chloride (KrCl) excimer lamp, which emits light at the 222 nm wavelength. Following the sudden increase in demand for disinfectant tools brought upon by the COVID-19 pandemic, a number of companies began to market and sell consumer far-UVC devices. These devices comes in many different configurations and commercial form factors. [can I cite something here?].
Considering the technology's evolving nature, regulatory bodies around the world have not yet created binding standards as to what is considered a safe and effective dosage for far-UVC implementations, nor have they created certifications or regulations for the safety of commercial far-UVC devices. There are however guidelines for exposure thresholds and indoor air quality put in place by professional associations [9] [17].