CUIMC finds addition of far-UVC light to public spaces could could airborne flu

A study by the Center for Radiological Research at Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC) has found that light exposure may provide a path to killing airborne flu through the use of far ultraviolet C (UVC) light.

In findings published in Scientific Reports, CUIMC determined that continuous low doses of the broad-spectrum light can kill the virus without harming human tissue in the process. Conventional UV light is used to decontaminate surgical equipment but can also lead to skin cancer and cataracts for humans–making this new discovery revolutionary for indoor use. Hospitals, schools, airports–the light could be used inside all of these to help counter flu’s spread.

“Far-UVC light has a very limited range and cannot penetrate through the outer dead-cell layer of human skin or the tear layer in the eye, so it’s not a human health hazard,” Dr. David Brenner, study leader and director of the Center for Radiological Research at CUIMC, said. “But because viruses and bacteria are much smaller than human cells, far-UVC light can reach their DNA and kill them.”

The results still need to be confirmed in other settings, but the current study was specifically designed to test if far-UVC light could efficiently kill influenza virus in the air in a similar public setting, and in this, it had about as much effect as conventional germicidal UV light, without the human-harming side effects.

Further, the cost of associated lamps are $1,000– a relatively low cost for the facilities in which they would be used.

“And unlike flu vaccines, far-UVC is likely to be effective against all airborne microbes, even newly emerging strains,” Brenner said.