One Take #2 - Experimental analysis to quantify inactivation of microorganisms by Far-UVC

Air Quality Matters

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Imagine a technology that could silently work in the background, destroying harmful microbes in the air we breathe without harming us. That's the promise of Far-UVC light at 222 nanometers, and groundbreaking room-scale research just brought this closer to reality.
Hospital-acquired infections alone cost the NHS £2.7 billion annually and affect hundreds of thousands of patients. While proper ventilation remains our first defense against airborne pathogens like TB, influenza, and COVID-19, the harsh truth is that many buildings struggle to meet modern ventilation standards. Retrofitting these structures often proves prohibitively expensive or physically impossible, creating an urgent need for complementary solutions.
Far-UVC technology stands out because, unlike traditional ultraviolet light, current evidence suggests it doesn't harm human skin or eyes when used properly. This means it could potentially operate in occupied rooms—a massive advantage over conventional UV systems. The University of Leeds study demonstrated remarkable results in a hospital room-sized chamber, with bacterial reductions of up to 97.8% using five Far-UVC lamps. Most impressively, the technology showed greatest benefit in poorly ventilated spaces, exactly where alternative solutions are most needed.
The research tested various scenarios, changing ventilation rates and airflow patterns while continuously introducing aerosolized bacteria to simulate a person shedding pathogens. Even at low ventilation rates of 1.5 air changes per hour, bacteria levels dropped to barely detectable amounts with five lamps. While further research is needed to test effectiveness against viruses in real-world settings, these results paint a promising picture of Far-UVC as a powerful new tool in our infection control arsenal. Could this technology transform how we protect vulnerable spaces like hospitals, schools, and nursing homes? The evidence suggests the future looks bright—or should we say, ultraviolet.

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0360132325002161

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Chapters

1. Introduction to Air Quality Matters (00:00:00)

2. Far-UVC Technology Basics (00:00:24)

3. Experimental Chamber Setup (00:01:50)

4. Key Results and Findings (00:03:36)

5. Implications and Future Research (00:07:15)

6. Conclusion and Takeaways (00:10:16)