Deactivation of SARS-CoV-2 with pulsed-xenon ultraviolet light: Implications for environmental COVID-19 control

TLDR

SARS‑CoV‑2 can survive for extended periods on environmental surfaces and personal protective equipment, posing a transmission risk. The study evaluated the effectiveness of a pulsed‑xenon ultraviolet (PX‑UV) disinfection system at reducing SARS‑CoV‑2 on hard surfaces and N95 respirators. SARS‑CoV‑2–inoculated chamber slides and respirator material were exposed to varying durations of PX‑UV. PX‑UV produced >3.5‑log reductions on hard surfaces within 1–5 min and >4.8‑log reduction on N95 respirators after 5 min, indicating significant viral load reduction.

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 log 10 , >4.54 log 10 , and >4.12 log 10 reductions in viral load, respectively. For N95 respirators, disinfection for 5 minutes resulted in >4.79 log 10 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.