Deactivation of SARS-CoV-2 with pulsed-xenon ultraviolet light: Implications for environmental COVID-19 control. (3rd February 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Simmons, Sarah E.; Carrion, Ricardo; Alfson, Kendra J.; Staples, Hilary M.; Jinadatha, Chetan; Jarvis, William R.; Sampathkumar, Priya; Chemaly, Roy F.; Khawaja, Fareed; Povroznik, Mark; Jackson, Stephanie; Kaye, Keith S.; Rodriguez, Robert M.; Stibich, Mark A.
• Is Part Of: Infection control and hospital epidemiology. Volume 42:Number 2(2021)
• Page Start: 127
• Page End: 130
• Publication Date: 2021-02-03
• Subjects: Nosocomial infections -- Epidemiology -- Periodicals; Health facilities -- Sanitation -- Periodicals; Hospital buildings -- Sanitation -- Periodicals; Cross Infection -- Periodicals; Epidemiology -- Periodicals; Hospitals -- Periodicals; Infection Control -- Periodicals; 614.44
• DOI: 10.1017/ice.2020.399
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0899-823X

Abstract

Abstract: Objectives: Prolonged survival of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on environmental surfaces and personal protective equipment may lead to these surfaces transmitting this pathogen to others. We sought to determine the effectiveness of a pulsed-xenon ultraviolet (PX-UV) disinfection system in reducing the load of SARS-CoV-2 on hard surfaces and N95 respirators. Methods: Chamber slides and N95 respirator material were directly inoculated with SARS-CoV-2 and were exposed to different durations of PX-UV. Results: For hard surfaces, disinfection for 1, 2, and 5 minutes resulted in 3.53 log10, >4.54 log10, and >4.12 log10 reductions in viral load, respectively. For N95 respirators, disinfection for 5 minutes resulted in >4.79 log10 reduction in viral load. PX-UV significantly reduced SARS-CoV-2 on hard surfaces and N95 respirators. Conclusion: With the potential to rapidly disinfectant environmental surfaces and N95 respirators, PX-UV devices are a promising technology to reduce environmental and personal protective equipment bioburden and to enhance both healthcare worker and patient safety by reducing the risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2.