Democracy Dies in Darkness
Health

Sunlight’s ultraviolet wavelengths have strengths, limitations in disinfecting against the coronavirus

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April 24, 2020 at 3:21 p.m. EDT
A small ultraviolet lamp that promises to destroy coughed-out viruses without hurting humans is being tested by Columbia University scientists. They say the lamps, which emit what’s called far-UVC light, would be effective in large public spaces such as airports as well as the close confines of airplane cabins. (Columbia University Center for Radiological Research)

While people worldwide search for ways to protect themselves from the novel coronavirus, some are testing the old saying that sunlight’s ultra­violet wavelengths are a good disinfectant against pandemic germs.

President Trump speculated about sunlight and ultraviolet rays as a panacea at a White House news conference on Thursday. Hospitals already have begun deploying artificial ultraviolet-C light for the first time to sanitize scarce N95 respirators for reuse. At home, fearful consumers are snapping up UVC sanitizing gadgets such as PhoneSoap to disinfect everything from cellphones to credit cards. Meanwhile, some are hanging gloves in the sun, while tinkerers are creating their own UVC gizmos.