Disinfection of SARS-CoV-2 Contaminated Surfaces of Personal Items with UVC-LED Disinfection Boxes

Viruses. 2021 Mar 31;13(4):598. doi: 10.3390/v13040598.

Abstract

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is transmitted from person to person by close contact, small aerosol respiratory droplets, and potentially via contact with contaminated surfaces. Herein, we investigated the effectiveness of commercial UVC-LED disinfection boxes in inactivating SARS-CoV-2-contaminated surfaces of personal items. We contaminated glass, metal, and plastic samples representing the surfaces of personal items such as smartphones, coins, or credit cards with SARS-CoV-2 formulated in an organic matrix mimicking human respiratory secretions. For disinfection, the samples were placed at different distances from UVC emitting LEDs inside commercial UVC-LED disinfection boxes and irradiated for different time periods (up to 10 min). High viral loads of SARS-CoV-2 were effectively inactivated on all surfaces after 3 min of irradiation. Even 10 s of UVC-exposure strongly reduced viral loads. Thus, UVC-LED boxes proved to be an effective method for disinfecting SARS-CoV-2-contaminated surfaces that are typically found on personal items.

Keywords: SARS-CoV-2; UVC-box; ultraviolet light.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19 / prevention & control
  • COVID-19 / virology*
  • Cosmetics
  • Disinfection / instrumentation
  • Disinfection / methods*
  • Humans
  • SARS-CoV-2 / genetics
  • SARS-CoV-2 / physiology
  • SARS-CoV-2 / radiation effects*
  • Ultraviolet Rays
  • Virus Inactivation / radiation effects*

Substances

  • Cosmetics