Extreme Exposure to Filtered Far-UVC: A Case Study

Ewan Eadie (Lead / Corresponding author), Isla Barnard, Sally H. Ibbotson, Kenneth Wood

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

41 Citations (Scopus)
174 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Far-UVC devices are being commercially sold as “safe for humans” for the inactivation of SARS-CoV-2, without supporting human safety data. We felt there was a need for rapid proof-of-concept human self-exposure, to inform future controlled research and promote informed discussion. A Fitzpatrick Skin Type II individual exposed their inner forearms to large radiant exposures from a filtered Krypton-Chloride (KrCl) far-UVC system (SafeZoneUVC, Ushio Inc., Tokyo, Japan) with peak emission at 222 nm. No visible skin changes were observed at 1500 mJ cm −2; whereas, skin yellowing that appeared immediately and resolved within 24 h occurred with a 6000 mJ cm −2 exposure. No erythema was observed at any time point with exposures up to 18 000 mJ cm −2. These results combined with Monte Carlo Radiative Transfer computer modeling suggest that filtering longer ultraviolet wavelengths is critical for the human skin safety of far-UVC devices. This work also contributes to growing arguments for the exploration of exposure limit expansion, which would subsequently enable faster inactivation of viruses.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)527-531
Number of pages5
JournalPhotochemistry and Photobiology
Volume97
Issue number3
Early online date20 Jan 2021
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 3 Feb 2021

Keywords

  • Physical and Theoretical Chemistry
  • Biochemistry
  • General Medicine

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biochemistry
  • Physical and Theoretical Chemistry

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