There are new UV LEDs that would kill the coronavirus

285 nanometer LEDs are almost as effective as higher frequency ones but they are cheaper and easier to find

(image: Unsplash) Hand and household surface disinfectants, street cleaning, remediation systems various and possible: all to destroy the coronavirus. The latest news would be LEDs that emit UV light at 285 nanometers: able to eliminate 99% of viral particles in less than a minute, according to the researchers of Tel Aviv University who tested them, they would be almost as efficient as those at higher frequency, but cheaper and more sustainable.

Hadas Mamane's team conducted a study - the first of its kind according to the authors - comparing the efficiency of ultraviolet (UV) disinfection at different lengths wave. In fact, it is known that UVs kill microbes such as bacteria and viruses by damaging their genetic material: similar systems are already adopted in contexts where sterility is very important (for example in some research laboratories or on health instruments), but they are not cheap and their management requires maintenance and some care.

With their tests Mamane and his collaborators have confirmed that the most effective wavelengths to eliminate viral particles such as those of Sars-Cov-2 are those around 265 nanometers, however, using UV LEDs at 285 nanometers we still get the elimination of over 99% of germs in less than a minute.

"We have found that it is quite simple to kill the coronavirus by using LED bulbs that radiate ultraviolet light" , explained Mamane. "We have killed viruses by using cheaper and more readily available LED bulbs, which consume little energy and do not contain mercury like normal light bulbs."

This result according to the researchers will have a commercial and social impact. "The whole world is currently looking for effective solutions to eliminate the coronavirus," Mamane added. "The problem is that physical labor is required to disinfect a bus, train, sports hall or plane using chemical spraying and, for spraying to be effective, it is necessary to give the chemical time to act on the surface". LEDs, on the other hand, could be installed in ventilation and conditioning systems, and in air and water suction systems to disinfect surfaces and even large environments.

Attention, however: UV systems are not recommended to sterilize environments domestic. In fact, people shouldn't be around when they're running.

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