tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
Appl Environ Microbiol. 2012 Jan 6. [Epub ahead of print]
Aerosol Susceptibility of Influenza Virus to UVC Light.
McDevitt JJ, Rudnick SN, Radonovich LJ.
Source
Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA.
Abstract
Person-to-person transmission of influenza virus, especially in the event of a pandemic caused by a highly virulent strain of influenza, such as H5N1 avian influenza, is of great concern due to widespread mortality and morbidity. The consequences of seasonal influenza are also substantial. Because airborne transmission appears to play a role with influenza, public health interventions should focus on preventing or interrupting this process. Air disinfection via upper-room 254 nm germicidal ultraviolet (UVC) light in public buildings may be able to reduce influenza transmission via the airborne route. We characterized the susceptibility of influenza A (H1N1, PR-8) aerosols to UVC light using a benchtop chamber equipped with an UVC exposure window. We evaluated virus susceptibility to: UVC doses ranging from 4 to 12 J/m(2), at three relative humidity levels (25%, 50%, 75%). Our data show the Z-values (susceptibility factors) were higher (more susceptible) to UVC than what has been reported previously. Furthermore, dose response plots showed influenza virus susceptibility increases with decreasing relative humidity. This work provides an essential scientific basis for designing and utilizing effective upper room UVC light installations for the prevention of airborne transmission of influenza by characterizing its susceptibility to UVC.
PMID:
22226954
[PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22226954
Aerosol Susceptibility of Influenza Virus to UVC Light.
McDevitt JJ, Rudnick SN, Radonovich LJ.
Source
Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA.
Abstract
Person-to-person transmission of influenza virus, especially in the event of a pandemic caused by a highly virulent strain of influenza, such as H5N1 avian influenza, is of great concern due to widespread mortality and morbidity. The consequences of seasonal influenza are also substantial. Because airborne transmission appears to play a role with influenza, public health interventions should focus on preventing or interrupting this process. Air disinfection via upper-room 254 nm germicidal ultraviolet (UVC) light in public buildings may be able to reduce influenza transmission via the airborne route. We characterized the susceptibility of influenza A (H1N1, PR-8) aerosols to UVC light using a benchtop chamber equipped with an UVC exposure window. We evaluated virus susceptibility to: UVC doses ranging from 4 to 12 J/m(2), at three relative humidity levels (25%, 50%, 75%). Our data show the Z-values (susceptibility factors) were higher (more susceptible) to UVC than what has been reported previously. Furthermore, dose response plots showed influenza virus susceptibility increases with decreasing relative humidity. This work provides an essential scientific basis for designing and utilizing effective upper room UVC light installations for the prevention of airborne transmission of influenza by characterizing its susceptibility to UVC.
PMID:
22226954
[PubMed - as supplied by publisher]
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22226954