Study Finds UV-LEDs Capable of Killing Coronavirus

According to a recent study, UV-LED lights can kill COVID-19-causing SARS-CoV-2 in less than a month’s time. The study was published in the Journal of Photochemistry and Photobiology B: Biology on December 14, 2020.

Researchers from Tel Aviv University claim that UV-LED lights can be used at different wavelengths or frequencies for destroying the coronavirus. A person can install ready-to-use LED bulbs, which radiate UV light in air conditioning, vacuum, and water systems to disinfect large spaces and eliminate the novel coronavirus.

The study emphasizes that Ultraviolet (UV) light-emitting diodes (UV-LEDs) are one of the most efficient, quick, and cost-effective easy to kill coronavirus disease. A co-author from American Friends of Tel Aviv University in the United States said, "Everyone in the entire world is searching for effective ways to disinfect the coronavirus. According to our discovery, coronavirus can be killed simply by making use of LED bulbs that radiate ultraviolet light.”

As per the scientists, LED bulbs which radiate ultraviolet light can be installed in the commercial and societal spaces that can result in elimination of the coronavirus transmission. Likewise, LED lights that consume low energy can be installed in transportation systems, like trains, buses and more to get rid of the virus. Researchers have warned that the systems should not be installed in a way where humans are directly exposed to the UV light so that there are no health issues. Prof. Hadas Mamane, a study co-author said, “Ultraviolet radiation is dangerous for humans, therefore, before using this method to eliminate coronavirus, it is important to make people aware of the same so that they do not use it in disinfecting surfaces inside their homes.”

The study may have found UV-LEDs to be a great solution for killing coronavirus, extensive research is yet to be done to figure out the designing of effective systems to avoid dangerous exposure to the UV light.