Inactivation of Viruses on Surfaces by Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation

Abstract

In many outbreaks caused by viruses, the transmission of the agents can occur through contaminated environmental surfaces. Because of the increasing incidence of viral infections, there is a need to evaluate novel engineering control methods for inactivation of viruses on surfaces. Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) is considered a promising method to inactivate viruses. This study evaluated UVGI effectiveness for viruses on the surface of gelatin-based medium in a UV exposure chamber. The effects of UV dose, viral nucleic acid type (single-stranded RNA, ssRNA; single-stranded DNA, ssDNA; double-stranded RNA, dsRNA; and double-stranded DNA, dsDNA), and relative humidity on the virus survival fraction were investigated. For 90% viral reduction, the UV dose was 1.32 to 3.20 mJ/cm² for ssRNA, 2.50 to to 4.47 mJ/cm² for ssDNA, 3.80 to 5.36 mJ/cm² for dsRNA, and 7.70 to 8.13 mJ/cm² for dsDNA. For all four tested viruses, the UV dose for 99% viral reduction was 2 times higher than those for 90% viral reduction. Viruses on a surface with single-stranded nucleic acid (ssRNA and ssDNA) were more susceptible to UV inactivation than viruses with double-stranded nucleic acid (dsRNA and dsDNA). For the same viral reduction, the UV dose at 85% relative humidity (RH) was higher than that at 55% RH. In summary, results showed that UVGI was an effective method for inactivation of viruses on surfaces.

Keywords:

• bacteriophage
• inactivation
• surfaces
• UVGI
• virus

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This work was supported by a grant from the National Science Council, Republic of China. Chun-Chieh Tseng was supported by a graduate scholarship from the same grant during part of this research effort.