Optimizing Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation Operation against the Spreading of COVID-19

优化紫外线杀菌照射操作以防止 COVID-19 的传播

• 批准号: 554550-2020
• 负责人: Lee, Bruno
• 金额: $ 3.64万
• 依托单位: Concordia University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Alliance Grants
• 财政年份: 2020
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2020-01-01 至 2021-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=705479
• 关键词: Optimizing; Ultraviolet; Germicidal; Irradiation; Operation

The goal of the partnership is to develop an application guideline for the use of Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI) for surface disinfection in common areas of long-term care facilities to reduce the potential reoccurrence of a pandemic when restrictions on these types of facilities begin to relax. Sanuvox Technologies is a Montreal based global leader in the manufacturing of UVGI equipment. Their current challenge is to ensure the real-life effectiveness of UVGI surface disinfection, which can be hindered by unfavorable space settings and environmental conditions. Logifem, a care provider, faces a shortage of support workers to perform surface disinfection. Long-term care facilities experienced a much higher share of the total infection cases. SARS-CoV-2, which is the causative agent of COVID-19, is readily transmitted through contaminated environmental surfaces of high traffic areas where expiratory droplets deposited. It is difficult to thoroughly disinfect wide areas by convectional contact disinfection means, particularly during the pandemic where support workers are lacked. UVGI is effective in inactivating viruses with specific UVC dose as the radiation breaks bonds in RNA and thus prevents replication of the microorganisms. In fact, UVGI surface disinfection has proved to be an effective solution for hospitals. In other space types, by contrast, the diverse space settings and environmental conditions might not favor UVGI operation. This project will conduct a simulated experiment and field test to determine the optimal range of temperature, relative humidity, furniture distance, surface reflectivity for UVGI operation. The project will provide the partners with evidence-based design, retrofitting, and operational recommendations to support the effective application of UVGI surface disinfection. A broader deployment of UVGI surface disinfection in congregate living facilities will close up a likely path of transmission and protect our population against COVID-19.

该伙伴关系的目标是制定在长期护理设施的公共区域使用紫外线杀菌照射(UVGI)进行表面消毒的应用指南，以减少在对这些类型设施的限制开始放松时再次发生大流行的可能性。Sanuvox Technologies是总部位于蒙特利尔的UVGI设备制造的全球领先者。他们目前面临的挑战是确保UVGI表面消毒的现实有效性，而不利的空间设置和环境条件可能会阻碍这一点。护理提供者Logifem面临着执行表面消毒的支持人员短缺。长期护理机构在总感染病例中所占比例要高得多。新冠肺炎的病原体SARS-CoV-2很容易通过受污染的交通繁忙地区的环境表面传播，那里有呼气飞沫沉积。通过对流接触消毒手段很难对大范围的地区进行彻底消毒，特别是在大流行期间，那里缺乏支持人员。UVGI可以有效地灭活具有特定UVC剂量的病毒，因为辐射会破坏RNA中的键，从而防止微生物的复制。事实上，UVGI表面消毒已被证明是医院有效的解决方案。相比之下，在其他空间类型中，多样化的空间设置和环境条件可能不利于UVGI操作。本项目将进行模拟实验和现场测试，以确定UVGI操作的温度、相对湿度、家具距离、表面反射率的最佳范围。该项目将为合作伙伴提供循证设计、翻新和操作建议，以支持紫外线照射表面消毒的有效应用。在聚集生活设施中更广泛地部署紫外线地面消毒将关闭一条可能的传播途径，并保护我们的人口免受新冠肺炎的影响。