light bulbs would destroy the flu virus in the air without harming humans

new bulbs designed by researchers at the Medical Center of the University of Columbia (United States) emit continuous low doses of far ultraviolet radiation (far-UVC) that are capable of killing the influenza virus that transported through the air.

Ultraviolet radiation is an antibacterial and antiviral agent, because it breaks its DNA, but in high doses it is also harmful to humans. The radiation of these bulbs is adjusted to avoid the latter.

Ideal for critical areas

Infections and infections are the workhorse of hospital environments, so this kind of light bulbs could be very useful to maintain some prophylaxis. Other places that could also benefit from this technology would be schools, airports, airplanes and other similar public spaces where there is a large concentration of people in a closed environment.

Remember that the cold does not suffer from being walking down the street under a freezing cold, but precisely when we take refuge from that hostile environment in closed and warm environments where viruses and bacteria roam freely from guest to guest. You can read more about it here.

According to David J. Brenner, leader of the work:

If our results are confirmed in other settings, it follows that the use of low-level UVC indirect light in public places would be a safe and efficient method to limit the transmission and spread of airborne microbial diseases, such as influenza and tuberculosis. .