A far ultraviolet-C light technology is effective for decontamination of items in proximity to sinks and is enhanced by a far UV-C reflective surface

• Published in: Infection control and hospital epidemiology 2024-11, Vol.45 (11), p.1319-1324
• Main Authors: Kaple, Claire E., Memic, Samir, Cadnum, Jennifer L., Varghese, Martin Mathew, Hebrink, Timothy J., Donskey, Curtis J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biofilms; Countertops; Decontamination; Disease transmission; Disinfection & disinfectants; Epidemiology; Experiments; Gram-negative bacteria; Light; Light sources; Original Article; Outpatient care facilities; R&D; Radiometers; Research & development; Sensors; Sinkholes
• ISSN: 0899-823X; 1559-6834; 1559-6834
• DOI: 10.1017/ice.2024.150

Dispersal of gram-negative bacilli from sink drains has been implicated as a source of transmission in multiple outbreaks. In an acute care hospital, we assessed how often patient care supplies and other frequently touched items were within 1 meter of sink drains. We tested the efficacy of a ceiling-mounted far ultraviolet-C (UV-C) light technology for decontamination of sink bowls and surfaces near sinks with and without a wall-mounted film that reflects far UV-C light. Of 190 sinks assessed, 55 (29%) had patient care supplies or other frequently touched items within 1 meter of the drain. The far UV-C technology reduced , and on steel disk carriers by ≥1.5 log colony-forming units (CFU) in 45 minutes. On inoculated real-world items, ≥1.9 log CFU reductions in were achieved on sites in line with the light source versus 0.4-1.8 log CFU reductions on shaded surfaces. The addition of the reflective surface significantly enhanced efficacy in shaded sites ( < 0.01). In a hospital setting, patient care supplies and other frequently touched items were often in proximity to sinks. The far UV-C light technology could potentially be useful for sink decontamination in high-risk areas.