UV-LED disinfection of Coronavirus: Wavelength effect

• Published in: Journal of photochemistry and photobiology. B, Biology Biology, 2020-11, Vol.212, p.112044-112044, Article 112044
• Main Authors: Gerchman, Yoram, Mamane, Hadas, Friedman, Nehemya, Mandelboim, Michal
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Betacoronavirus - genetics; Betacoronavirus - isolation & purification; Betacoronavirus - radiation effects; Corona; Coronavirus; Coronavirus Infections - pathology; Coronavirus Infections - virology; Coronaviruses; COVID-19; COVID19; Deactivation; Disinfection; Fluence; Humans; Inactivation; Light emitting diodes; New technology; Pandemics; Pneumonia, Viral - pathology; Pneumonia, Viral - virology; Radiation Dosage; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; RNA, Viral - metabolism; SARS; SARS-CoV-2; Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2; Ultraviolet radiation; Ultraviolet Rays; UV-LEDs; Viral diseases; Virus Inactivation - radiation effects; Viruses; Wavelength; Wavelengths
• ISSN: 1011-1344; 1873-2682
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jphotobiol.2020.112044

UV light-emitting diodes (UV LEDs) are an emerging technology and a UV source for pathogen inactivation, however low UV-LED wavelengths are costly and have low fluence rate. Our results suggest that the sensitivity of human Coronavirus (HCoV-OC43 used as SARS-CoV-2 surrogate) was wavelength dependent with 267 nm ~ 279 nm > 286 nm > 297 nm. Other viruses showed similar results, suggesting UV LED with peak emission at ~286 nm could serve as an effective tool in the fight against human Coronaviruses. [Display omitted] •Corona virus HCoV-43 was found sensitive to UV-LED irradiation.•Sensitivity was wavelength dependent with 267 nm ~ 279 nm > 286 nm > 297 nm.•Similar wavelength sensitivity was found for other viruses.•UV-LEDs could probably be used in the fight against SARS-CoV-2 and COVID19.