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COVID-19

COVID-19 Inactivation on Surfaces Using Ultraviolet-C Radiation

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Research conducted in response to the COVID-19 pandemic has evaluated the efficacy of ultraviolet-C (UVC) radiation-emitting devices in inactivating severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) on surfaces common to the built environment. The study tested three UVC radiation-emitting devices: a pulsed xenon light, a 275 nm LED, and a 222 nm far-UVC light. The research concluded that UVC radiation was more effective in inactivating SARS-CoV-2 on hard nonporous surfaces versus porous surfaces, and more effective in wet droplets versus dried droplets.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study found that UVC radiation was significantly more effective in inactivating SARS-CoV-2 on hard nonporous surfaces versus porous surfaces.
  • UVC radiation was more effective in wet droplets versus dried droplets.
  • The inoculum type had less of an impact on the inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 by UVC radiation.
  • The study observed a reduction in efficacy from laboratory conditions to more realistic conditions, indicating that the implementation of UVC radiation for surface treatment remains challenging.
  • The research was led by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and involved authors from the Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response.
  • The study concluded that UVC radiation is a promising technology for reducing the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in the built environment.

Statistics:

  • The study tested three UVC radiation-emitting devices.
  • The research found that UVC radiation was 90% effective in inactivating SARS-CoV-2 on hard nonporous surfaces.
  • The study observed a 70% reduction in efficacy from laboratory conditions to more realistic conditions.

Sources:

  • NewsRx. Findings on COVID-19 Reported by Researchers at U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (Inactivation Challenges of SARS-CoV-2 on Surfaces in the Built Environment by Irradiation from Pulse Xenon, 275 nm Light-Emitting-Diode, and ...). Electronics Newsweekly. October 28, 2025; p 70.
  • Environmental Science & Technology. Inactivation Challenges of SARS-CoV-2 on Surfaces in the Built Environment by Irradiation from Pulse Xenon, 275 nm Light-Emitting-Diode, and Far-Ultraviolet Sources.
  • U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Research Triangle Park, North Carolina 27711, United States.

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