Is it possible to kill the virus with ultraviolet light?

The idea that ultraviolet light can destroypathogenic bacteria is no longer new: for the first time, mankind learned about its disinfecting properties back in 1878, when ultraviolet radiation was actively used in hospitals and factories. In the future, the beneficial properties of ultraviolet radiation began to be used to destroy microbes that live in tap water, which turned out to be resistant to chemical disinfectants, such as chlorine. Today, when the need for frequent disinfection has greatly increased due to an outbreak of coronavirus infection, the request for the purchase of ultraviolet equipment has become one of the main trends among users of the Western Internet. However, is it true that ultraviolet light can kill a coronavirus or other infection and is it safe for humans?

Ultraviolet is not only capable of destroying pathogenic bacteria, but it can harm a person

Ultraviolet radiation - This is an invisible part of sunlight, which is divided into three types. Type A Ultraviolet It has the longest wavelength and is able to penetrate the base layer of human skin. Type B Ultraviolet has an average wavelength and causes sunburn. Type C Ultraviolet has a minimum wavelength and is used in welding metals. It is scientifically proven that ultraviolet radiation can destroy microbes.

UV light damage

UV first discovered by a German physicistJohann Wilhelm Ritter in 1801, is a unique electromagnetic radiation that can destroy harmful bacteria. Being an integral part of sunlight, ultraviolet radiation affects not only the bacteria around us, but even affects the general well-being of a person. So, it is known that with a chronic lack of solar ultraviolet radiation, a person begins to suffer from chronic depressions, and his health gradually begins to give serious failures.

However, is it true that the use of ultraviolet lightcan protect us from the ever-spreading COVID-19 infection? And if so, maybe the usual sunny weather can defeat the epidemic?

As you know, sunlight contains three types of UV radiation. The first is UV-A radiationwhich makes up the vast majorityultraviolet radiation reaching the surface of the earth. It is known that UV-A is capable of penetrating deep into the skin, being the main cause of wrinkles and age spots.

Attention: Solariums use radiation UV Ahowever its intensity is more than 10 timesabove ordinary sun. Be extremely careful and attentive when visiting tanning salons. And it’s better not to do this at all, because long and intense exposure to UV radiation is harmful to health.

Abuse UV-B radiation, can harm our skin and often leads to sunburn and even skin cancer, writes bbc.com.

The third type of ultraviolet radiation is UV-C - consists of the shortest wave of light andcapable of destroying the genetic material of both humans and microorganisms. Luckily for all of us, UV-C radiation is effectively filtered out by ozone in the atmosphere long before it reaches our fragile skin, however, scientists have learned to use this type of ultraviolet light for purposes that are useful to humans - for example, for welding metals.

Some types of ultraviolet radiation can destroy the genetic material of living organisms.

Although there is no research yet,Studying the effects of UV-C on COVID-19, in China, the virus-affected China uses ultraviolet light to disinfect surfaces in the most visited public places and hospitals.

The bus is disinfected with UV-C in Shanghai

Although UV-C is currently usedalmost everywhere, its improper use can lead to burns, even after only a few seconds after the start of operation. The Sun was and remains a much safer and more natural method of surface disinfection, whose light is still used to sterilize water and is even recommended by the World Health Organization as a means to kill harmful bacteria. As an example, scientists cite the increasing cases of influenza in Brazil that occur during local forest fires, when smoke dilutes the sun's ultraviolet radiation.

You can find even more relevant articles on the coronavirus problem on our Telegram channel.

Forest fires in Brazil cause outbreaks of flu due to smog suppression of solar ultraviolet

One recent studyshowed that the longer the flu particles were exposed to concentrated sunlight, the weaker their infectious properties became. Unfortunately, currently no one knows whether the ultraviolet radiation of the Sun can similarly affect the coronavirus, which is why its potential use in real life can be extremely problematic. So, we don’t know how much time is needed to destroy COVID-19 with the help of sunlight and how much energy may be required for this. In addition, the disinfection of human skin with ultraviolet radiation will lead to significant damage, thereby increasing the risk of skin cancer.

In addition, once the virus is inside your body, even the largest dose of ultraviolet radiation is already will not be able to help treat the infection.

Previously, we are in Hi-News.ru already told that there are a large number of methods for processing surfaces for disinfection. You can read about how to protect yourself and your family from infections, in this article.