Hacker News

202 readers

3 users here now

This community serves to share top posts on Hacker News with the wider fediverse.

Rules

0. Keep it legal

Keep it civil and SFW
Keep it safe for members of marginalised groups

founded 1 year ago

MODERATORS

[email protected]

Can Ultraviolet lightbulbs end the next pandemic before it starts? (www.vox.com)

submitted 9 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

5 comments fedilink hide all child comments

There is a discussion on Hacker News, but feel free to comment here as well.

you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments

[–] [email protected] 6 points 9 months ago

TL;DR: The article discusses the use of far-ultraviolet (far-UV) light as a promising technology to kill airborne viruses and bacteria in public spaces, potentially reducing the spread of respiratory infections. While it shows promise in being safe for humans and effective against pathogens, concerns about creating air pollution and the need for further research are highlighted.

Far-UV Technology: A novel form of ultraviolet light that can kill airborne viruses and bacteria, potentially reducing respiratory infections in public spaces.
Safety and Effectiveness: Far-UV light, especially around 222 nm wavelengths, is effective against pathogens and appears safe for human skin and eyes.
Historical Context: UV light has been known for over a century to kill bacteria and viruses, but traditional UV can harm humans.
Research Findings: Studies show far-UV light reducing airborne bacteria by 98.4% and killing 99.9% of coronaviruses in controlled environments.
Concerns: Far-UV light might generate ozone and interact with volatile organic compounds, potentially leading to air pollution and health risks.
Need for More Research: Further studies are necessary to understand the long-term effects of far-UV light and how to use it effectively alongside other air purification methods.