(Written by AG Salguero, Maine, March 10, 2020)
Panic or act!
We have the option to panic and freeze or to find viable solutions and act.
The financial and social impact of the Corona Virus (2019-nCoV) is immeasurable, but I believe that there is a -partial- mitigation option with quick attainable results and less environmental consequences (due to the overuse of chemicals).
WHAT:
Install "UV tunnels" at mass-gathering places;
- Airports
- Hospitals
- Schools
- Offices
- Trade events
- Conferences
- Sports events
- Concerts, etc.
HOW: Install a series of UV lights placed around an enclosed area, creating a tunnel with UV lights that reach from above, from the sides, and from below (a light-permitting walkway – such as tempered glass, metal mesh, rails, etc. on top of the UV light installation).
WARNINGS:
UV lights should not be looked at directly because it can cause eye damage, so people would have to use UV protective glasses covering their eyes as they go through the walkway. (just the way they do it at 3D movie theaters in amusement parks).
To get an idea of what it would do and be like, check the “UV Conveyor Tunnel Food Disinfection” video on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ZzU21wFxSlw.
What would it do;
- Minimize transfer and transportation of viruses and bacteria on body, clothing and items;
- Minimize contaminated surfaces that would transfer germs to items transported, exposing other public spaces and surfaces.
- Minimize exposure of germs on hands and faces of people that refuse to follow hygiene practices.
Although it would not be a 100% effective solution to control the spread, it would likely minimize exposure and spread, and would reduce the need to use chemicals that have been accused of creating super-bugs.
Why would it help:
- Despite the constant reminders of the importance of hygiene, many people don’t practice it regularly;
- Many young ones tend to play around and touch things after touching their mouth, nose or eyes;
- Most health workers (doctors, nurses, administrative personnel) walk out of the workplace with the clothes they work on; they go to supermarkets, restaurants, schools, etc. after being exposed to virus, bacteria, and body fluids;
- Wipes and masks are not really effective unless used properly;
- Mass panic has caused items to fly off the shelves and become scarce or altogether unattainable.
Some key information;
Historically, it has been scientifically proven that UV light are highly effective in killing fungi, bacteria, germs, viruses and pathogens. In 1903, Niels Finsen was awarded a Noble Prize in Medicine for using UV to effectively treat patients with skin infections.
Currently, UV lights are used by hospitals, restaurants and grocery stores to destroy germs. UV lights have also shown to be effective in killing sterilizing an HVAC system, and used in wastewater treatment plants as an alternative to chemical use, proving to be not only highly effective, but also cost-efficient.
The process of installing these tunnels would be relatively simple; the investment would initially be somewhat substantial, but the long-term effect would be significant.
In 2012, a study at Duke University Medical Center showed that UV lights killed 97% of bacteria that were resistant to antibiotics, the so-called superbug bacteria that are the toughest to kill. The article indicates that “UV light works through reflective properties, killing organisms even in the shadows if there is space for light to reflect. The light disrupts the DNA of these germs and kills them”).
The Journal of Applied and Environmental Biology reported in 2001 that germicidal UV radiation significantly reduces airborne fungi in air handling units.
References:
https://www.pickhvac.com/faq/hvac-uv-lights/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC93076/
https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-06/documents/disinfection_small.pdf
Per EPA: UV Radiation Advantages
• Effective inactivation of most viruses, bacteria, and spores. May be effective against some cysts.
• Physical process rather than a chemical disinfectant.
• No residual effect that could harm humans or aquatic life.
• Equipment requires less space than other methods.
Cost Effective in comparison to other solutions:
(Credit: https://www.pickhvac.com/faq/hvac-uv-lights/ )
“How Much do UV Lights Cost?
There are four costs associated with germicidal HVAC lights: Fixture cost, installation cost, replacement lamp cost and energy cost.
|
Type |
Light Cost |
Installation Cost |
Lamp Cost |
Energy Cost |
Top Brands |
|
Type |
Light Cost |
Installation Cost |
Lamp Cost |
Energy Cost |
Top Brands |
|
Coil Sanitizing Lights |
$60-$285+ |
$100-$225 |
$10-$60 |
$15-$30 each year |
Guardian Air Honeywell Fresh-Aire Sanuvox Top Tech Carrier Lennox White-Rodgers Pure UV D200 |
|
Air Sanitizing Lights |
$80-$400+ |
$150-$295 |
$15-$125 |
$15-$30 each year |
Sanuvox Bio-Shield Fresh-Aire D200 G2000 AirMaxUV AeroLogic |
The most popular lights for both the coil and the air ducts cost $80 to $125. Most lower-cost units use a single lamp. Those with higher cost use two lamps and, for air sterilizing UV lights, also include an air filter to clean the air of allergens.
Lamp life is 9 to 14 months for most brands, so expect to spend an average of $15-$50 per year for new lamps depending on whether you install a unit with one lamp or two.”
What else can be done:
UV lights could be installed in portable units to “treat” public transportation equipment between uses;
- Airplanes
- Buses (public and private transportation units)
- Movie theaters
- Concert halls
- Churches
- Stadiums
- Hotel rooms
- Public bathrooms, restaurant chairs and tables
- Hospital rooms, etc.
Home treatment rooms (for those with enough space and funds):
Similar to a sauna room, a room to “treat” items like baby strollers, chairs, cribs, computers, purses, shoes, jackets, hats, etc.
UV cleaning shops;
Similar to a car wash or an oil chaining shop; cars would pull into a closed room, leave the car with open doors and closed windows, the vehicle would get a full “treatment” and then, it can be driven away.
For whom:
Taxi cabs, personal vehicles, Uber and Lyft vehicles, etc.
Disclosure:
The information contained herein has been put together as reference, through research and personal ideas, but it is not an attempt to make any formal claim. We make no representations with regard to the content’s comprehensiveness. you are solely responsible for investigating and researching all information, and arrive to your own conclusions before taking any actions.