Can UV light be used to kill airborne viruses, if so, how can this method be implemented worldwide?
Why is it meaningful to me and others?
It is meaningful to me because I am very intrigued by the fact that you can kill viruses using UV light. I find it very interesting because I used to have a UV light myself, which makes me wonder what kind of UV light can actually kill bacteria and viruses. Additionally, this affects me because it can be possible for me to be exposed by this light in a positive way.
This is meaningful to others because it can reduce the number of people getting sick. Also, we can see if this topic answers how UV light can be in people everyday lives. It will also improve people sanitariness ranging from laboratories, health clinics, offices, or even in peoples houses.
My 5 Sub Questions for my Main Question
- How does UV light kill viruses?
- Is it truly safe to humans?
- How efficient is this method of killing bacteria?
- Which/What viruses or any bacterial organism does it kill?
- Where can you use this device?
Source 1
A common place where UVC light can be used is in a cryostat, a cryostat is a device with a low temperature where you can sample organisms. In the cryostat, the UVC light has a special coating that can protect the user by reducing exposure to airborne and surface pathogens. When working in a cryostat, operators can be exposed to dangerous and infectious pathogens, such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, HBV, HCV, and HIV. To include extra protection along with the use of gloves, masks, and goggles, you can use UVC disinfection. UVC light can disinfect surfaces and the air within the chamber without generating condensation, toxic fumes, residues or contaminated liquid waste. UVC light can be performed at any time without warming or defrosting.
This shows us that UVC light can be used to protect against different infectious pathogens in a cryostat without any harm or casualties against the operator. Also, there won’t be any side effects unlike other cleaning mechanisms, like condensation, toxic fumes, residues or contaminated liquid waste. It is efficient and quick, but also is stable and won’t disrupt anything in the cryostat.
“UV Cryostat, UVC disinfection.” Bioscience Technology, Nov. 2006 Accessed 17 Feb. 2019.
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A156054566/GPS?u=43riss&sid=GPS&xid=b50a795d
Source 2
UVC light can be in hospitals as well, in Muskogee Community Hospital, they have installed an innovative infection control measure. For instances, the UVC device was installed in the air handling units and in custom-designed, ceiling-mounted units in the surgical and procedural rooms. The devices were used to eradicate airborne viruses/bacteria as well as surface 
biofilm/mold and pathogens. In addition, it helps improve air quality and help reduce hospital common infections. UVC in MCH (Muskogee Community Hospital) is also providing a very environmentally friendly way to prevent cost. Installing UVC Emitters in the heat pump units serving in the patient rooms benefits by having a low cost in both maintenance and energy consumption. This is because the UVC continuously cleans the coil and drain pan surfaces of biofilm buildup in the heat pumps. It concludes by reducing the cost of manual cleaning and keeping the units a new condition so they run more efficiently.
This article not only tells us about sanitation but also says that UVC light can improve the air quality in rooms. It also tells us its an efficient way to clean the heat coils reducing the maintenance cost and energy consumption. It also shows us that a hospital is a very ideal place to put the UVC light and has a lot of potential if used correctly.
“UVC lights provide infection control, green benefits.” Healthcare Purchasing News, Sept. 2009 Accessed 17 Feb. 2019.
http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/A208214756/GPS?u=43riss&sid=GPS&xid=e3e6f857
Source 3
Is UVC light harmful to humans? No, using the correct wavelength of the UVC light (207-222nm). It kills the bacteria but will not damage the human skin or eye, it can’t even penetrate through the dead skin level on the surface of your skin. This is because bacteria and viruses are of a micrometer or smaller dimensions, far-UVC can penetrate and inactivate them. It can inactivate H1N1 Influenza by 95 %.
Being said, it could be considered in public locations such as hospitals, doctors offices, schools, airports, and airplanes, since we now know it isn’t harmful to humans. This path may help limit seasonal influenza epidemics, transmission of tuberculosis, and also major pandemics.
This information shows that UVC can’t be harmful to humans, and it tells you that it is not possible to damage the human’s skins or the eye. This also shows many different and deadly diseases could be prevented or limited using this technique of sanitation. Which can be exceedingly helpful for worldwide sanitation.
“New Airborne Disease Study Findings Recently Were Reported by Researchers at Columbia University (Far-UVC light: A new tool to control the spread of airborne-mediated microbial diseases).” TB & Outbreaks Week, 6 Mar. 2018, p. 6. Global Issues in Context,
Video on how UVC light works
Next Steps
For further research to extend my project, I could research and find out how much UVC light cost and see if the prices are reasonable. Also, I could elaborate more on how UVC light scientifically works and how it specifically kill the bacteria. Additionally, I could find out a way on how to do a science experiment with UV light and try it out.
Information Fluency
What questions did you need to research in order to research your topic?
I needed to research these questions in order to research my main topic
- How does UV light kill viruses?
- Is it truly safe to humans?
- How efficient is this method of killing bacteria?
- Which/What viruses or any bacterial organism does it kill?
- Where can you use this device?
What new of familiar digital tools did you try to use as you worked through this project?
A new digital tool I used for this project was Gale Engage Learning found in the online Riverside library. For images, I used a few images on new websites such as Creative Commons and Pexals, and also some on Google. A familiar tool I used was Google, the site I used for Google was sub-links from a trusted website from the teacher. Then I used the information to get a background idea about what the topic was and the basic information.
What was the process you used to investigate your topic?
I looked at the websites that the teacher advised to us, and I wrote 3-4 ideas I was interested in. I considered on one of the ideas but it was too simple, so I resorted to my second best idea, which was the UVC light one. Then, I refined it to create a more meaningful and thicker question. After, I knew I needed sub-questions to complete and answer my main question, so I created 5 sub-questions. I first started with the website that lured me in the first place to get a good idea about the concept.
How did you verify and cite the information you found?
I used a very trustable website known as Gale Engage Learning, I knew it was a trustable website because it was referred by teachers and was on the Riverside library. I also used websites that were well cited and had verified information, if it was unknown with no author and information doesn’t line up, the information could be invalid. Luckily, the Gale Engage Learning website had cite’s ready in MLA format so it was convenient to copy it from there. If there wasn’t, I knew how to cite into MLA format because I learned it in previous years from middle school. For images, I used the citation machine in MLA format.
How did the process of completing this challenge go? What could you have done better?
Some parts were hard but some were easy, for example, the parts that were hard was when I had to understand the information and topic. But after when I understood the topic, I caught on to what it was about. Also, getting images was a challenge for me, because there weren’t many pictures that correlate with my topic, it was difficult to find accurate pictures. Answering the questions were quite simple because the information I researched gradually answeres the questions. Another thing that made it easier was I did a similar project on creating an Inquiry in the last semester so I knew what a meaningful question was. A thing I could have done better on the project was the organization and not repeating myself in the research part.
Images and Videos Citations
Image 1: “UVC Light Provide Infection Control, Green Benefits.” UVC Light Provide Infection Control, Green Benefits, Operating Room, Sept. 2009, flowtechinc.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Steril-Aire_MuskogeeHospital.pdf. February 20, 2019
Image 2: “Far-UVC Light: A New Tool to Control the Spread of Airborne-Mediated Microbial Diseases.” Far-UVC Light: A New Tool to Control the Spread of Airborne-Mediated Microbial Diseases, David Welch, 9 Feb. 2018, www.nature.com/articles/s41598-018-21058-w. February 20, 2019
Video: Research, Center for Radiological. “Far-UVC Light and the Fight Against Superbugs.” YouTube, YouTube, 2 Aug. 2016, www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ISLHI3n9i0.
Dear Cleon…
I enjoyed looking into your question and what you have researched very much. Your question very interesting in my opinion and I overall enjoyed reading it in general and i believe that when other people read on what you said, they will be interested just like me about your question.
Something i liked about your post was that you put great detail and explanation into your sources.
Something else i also liked about your post was that you explained your sources clearly.
I connect with you in your second source because i think that putting uvc lighting in hospitals will improve the air quality which would be helpful for patients and I believe that hospitals should look into investing uvc lights.
A question I have is that if a human where to stay in a room with uvc lighting for a long time, would the uvc light damage there eyes overtime.
I have no suggestions or tips for your post because your post in my opinion had quality information and clear and easy to read paragraphs.
In short, This post in my opinion was perfect and that you should be proud of yourself Cleon.
From Aidan Knapfl
I really like the photo and video you added into your post, it made sense with your overall post and for your main wonder question. If there was one thing i’d add I think it would be to stretch more information into your paragraphs for further detail but other than that I think this post was very neat and good!!
Why do you think that we don’t use UV light more considering the ramifications of your research?
In your introductions, although very thorough on which questions you are referring to, but it feels a little repetitious. Your first source mentions “UVC” but you did not define what UVC stands for, and could be a little confusing for readers with little knowledge in this subject. Lastly, the section where “What new of familiar …” did you mean “What new OR familiar”?
Overall, this blog post was very informative and is an interesting subject considering it is something that could affect our everyday lives. Well done.
Cleon,
I really enjoyed reading about your topic. Your work is thoughtful, thoroughly researched and well presented. I find it very interesting that hospitals use UVC light as an innovative infection control measure! How do you think we could be using UVC light more in our daily lives more “virus free”? Why are we not using it more? I am looking forward to hearing more about your topic and your opinion.
Mrs. D.