Important Highlights hepa filtration ultraviolet disinfection uv sanitizer

Evidence on the effectiveness and safety of ultraviolet germicidal irradiation technologies in reducing SARS-CoV-2 in the air of occupied rooms

The effectiveness and safety of Ultraviolet disinfection Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI) (uv sanitizer) technologies in reducing SARS-CoV-2 in the air of occupied rooms have been extensively studied and reviewed. UVGI utilizes ultraviolet-C (UV-C) radiation to inactivate microorganisms, including viruses like SARS-CoV-2. UV-C has demonstrated effectiveness in reducing SARS-CoV-2 by up to 99.9%.

Various UVGI methods, including upper-room UVGI, whole-room far UV-C, and portable UV air cleaners, have been investigated for their efficacy. Upper-room UVGI, in particular, has been used for over 70 years to reduce the transmission of pathogens like tuberculosis.

Studies have shown that UVGI technologies, when used appropriately, can effectively reduce SARS-CoV-2 transmission in occupied rooms. Upper-room UVGI fixtures, such as wall-mounted UV-C lamps and UV-C ceiling fans, have been effective in reducing viral counts in the air. Simulation studies suggest that combining upper-room UVGI with other public health measures, such as masking and ventilation, can further reduce the risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in settings like schools and hospitals.

Portable UV air cleaners have also shown efficacy in filtering airborne droplets containing SARS-CoV-2, with some studies reporting up to 82% filtration efficiency.

Safety concerns regarding UVGI technologies primarily revolve around exposure to UV wavelengths >230 nm, which can have negative effects on human tissue. However, proper system design and maintenance can mitigate these risks. Field investigations have reported safe use of UVGI lamps in occupied hospital rooms, with no overexposure cases reported.

Overall, while UVGI technologies show promise in reducing SARS-CoV-2 transmission in indoor settings, further research and real-world evidence are needed to improve confidence in their effectiveness and safety. Additionally, proper implementation and maintenance are crucial to ensuring the safe and effective use of UVGI technologies in occupied spaces. (Summary by: Clauzer Dziedziensky)

See full topic:  https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/2019-novel-coronavirus-infection/canadas-reponse/summaries-recent-evidence/ultraviolet-germicidal-irradiation-technologies-use-against-sars-cov-2.html#

Efficacy of Inactivation of Human Enteroviruses by Dual-Wavelength Germicidal Ultraviolet (UV-C) Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs)

Human enteroviruses are significant pathogens causing gastrointestinal and respiratory infections, as well as severe illnesses like viral meningitis. While traditional disinfection methods have limitations, UV light, particularly UV-C emitted by LEDs, shows promise for water treatment due to its effectiveness without generating harmful by-products. However, little research has focused on enterovirus inactivation using UV LEDs. This study investigated the efficacy of UV-C LEDs in deactivating four representative human enterovirus serotypes. Results demonstrated that UV-C LEDs, especially at 260 nm, effectively reduced viral concentrations, surpassing the performance of conventional UV lamps. The study highlights the potential of UV-C LEDs for water disinfection, emphasizing the need for further research to develop sustainable water treatment technologies against waterborne pathogens.  (Summary by: Clauzer Dziedziensky)

See full topic: https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/11/6/1131

Aerosol and Surface Stability of SARS-CoV-2 as Compared with SARS-CoV-1

Important study on the aerosol and surface stability of SARS-CoV-2 compared to SARS-CoV-1. This study and others to be published were very important to establish an understanding of the dynamics of contaminated aerosols, their durability and how an AR filtration system based on HEPA technology (ULPA) and UV-C energy could be designed to seek inactivation of the virus. (Summary by: Clauzer Dziedziensky)

See full topic: https://www.nejm.org/doi/pdf/10.1056/NEJMc2004973?articleTools=true hepa filtration system ultraviolet uv-c

Inactivation of Pathogens in Air Using Ultraviolet Direct Irradiation Below Exposure Limits

The study explores the effectiveness of using low-intensity ultraviolet (UV) light for pathogen inactivation in air, specifically below the actinic exposure limits (EL) to ensure safety in occupied spaces. This method, called Direct Irradiation Below Exposure Limits (DIBEL), uses UV-C light-emitting diodes (LEDs) at 275 nm to achieve significant air disinfection. The research demonstrates that DIBEL can effectively inactivate pathogens like SARS-CoV-2, providing a new layer of indoor air quality improvement without exceeding safe exposure levels. Future advancements in UV-C technology are expected to enhance the efficacy further, potentially surpassing traditional air disinfection methods.

(Summary by: Clauzer Dziedziensky)

See full topic: https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/jres/126/jres.126.052.pdf

MPOX can be spread by Airborn?

Is it possible for MPOX to be transmitted through the air?

Encouragement to friends to read and collaborate on this topic, which is of utmost importance to all people.

Regardless of the current severity and whether there is manipulation, we all need to understand the situation and be prepared.

It is known that the transmission of MPOX occurs through contact, but there is also evidence of transmission through the air among healthcare professionals and relatives of the patient when the patient is hospitalized. In other words, records of air transmission occur under circumstances where the infected individual and the healthcare professional or relative are in very close contact.

What are the differences between SARCOV2 and MPOX in terms of virus size and characteristics?

                                                MPOX                          COVID

Genome                Double-stranded DNA      Single-stranded RN

Variants                      2 Clades                             27 and increasing

PRIMARY Route      Bodily fluids                        Respiratory droplets

Reservoirs             Small mammals                  Bats, Pangolins, Minks

Considerations

- The structures of both viruses are quite different, including their size. While SARCOV has a diameter of 100nm, MPV has an elongated shape ranging from 200 to 450nm in length.

- Both can be transmitted by saliva droplets;

- Unlike COVID, domestic mammals and squirrels can be vectors for MPOX transmission.

- Unlike COVID, all secretions, hair, and skin flakes can be vectors for MPOX transmission.

- There is a record that a room occupied by an MPOX patient retained traces of the virus for up to 15 days when this analysis was conducted.

Findings

Given the novelty of this topic, it is hard to assert with 100% certainty that MPOX will behave in one way or another, but based on what exists on the Internet and research conducted in Africa, we can conjecture the following:

1 – The record of airborne transmission is quite limited because it pertains to a new event, where the number of infected individuals is very small, and studies are restricted to hospital areas or the room where the infected person is resting at home.

2 – However, even if the virus does NOT have its center in the respiratory system, preliminary observations confirm that the virus can be transmitted via saliva droplets in the air, just like COVID. The difference in sizes and the records of MPOX durability found on surfaces (15 days) increases its chances of being spread in the environment and remaining on masks and air duct systems and filters from heating or refrigeration systems in homes, for example. This finding seems obvious.

3 – It should also be noted that domestic mammals and squirrels can be vectors. The behavior of these animals when socializing with each other and their owners represents a risk for transmission, and their fur and micro-debris will also be a vehicle (vector) for the transmission of the virus.

Conclusion

Based on this brief analysis from internet research, we can conclude that the possibility of airborne transmission and the fact that domestic animals and squirrels can be vectors adds an aggravating factor to this discussion, prompting us to raise a yellow flag and closely follow the news for possible preparations.

Considering the characteristics of MPOX, sanitizing utensils and items used in the external environment of our home should be prioritized. Clothes should be washed at HIGH temperatures for sanitization, and glasses and other personal items should also be sanitized by possible means.

(By Clauzer Dziedziensky www.shieldguard.ca)

Avian influenza A(H5N1) virus ("H5N1 bird flu") HUMAM CASES

A patient has been hospitalized with a severe case of avian influenza A(H5N1) virus ("H5N1 bird flu") infection in Louisiana. This marks the first instance of severe illness linked to the virus in the United States. The case was confirmed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Friday, December 13. Since April 2024, there have been a total of 61 reported human cases of H5 bird flu reported in the United States.

See full topic: https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2024/m1218-h5n1-flu.html

Bird flu samples show mutations that may make it easier to spread to people, CDC reports

H5N1 bird flu samples collected from a severely ill patient in Louisiana show signs of mutations that may make the virus more transmissible to humans, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Thursday.

The unidentified patient, who was hospitalized with serious respiratory symptoms, is believed to have contracted bird flu from exposure to sick and dead birds in a backyard flock. The patient has not been identified but is reportedly over 65 with underlying health problems and is the second person in the United States who has been hospitalized with the virus. The Louisiana patient was infected with a strain of the virus different from the one affecting dairy cows and causing sporadic cases in farmworkers in the U.S.

See full topic: https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/h5n1-bird-flu-mutations-human-transmission-cdc-rcna185554

An Update on Avian Influenza in Dairy Cows, Poultry, and Humans

Outbreaks of H5N1 continue to rise in dairy cattle and poultry, as well as in other wild and domesticated animals, including the first confirmed infection in a pig. Human cases also continue to occur, primarily—but not exclusively—in people who had exposure to infected animals.

See full topic: https://publichealth.jhu.edu/2024/h5n1-bird-flu-in-dairy-cows-poultry-and-humans

Research confirms human to human transmission of avian flu.

Researchers have confirmed two cases of human to human transmission of the avian influenza virus, raising the possibility that the infection could soon gain a foothold among people, with the potential to strike millions.

See full topic: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC546057/

PM 2.5 REAL TIME monitoring

Follow the status of AR quality "AQI" in your region using the link below. Understand how important it is to protect your family.

https://www.windy.com/-PM2-5-pm2p5?cams,pm2p5,43.799,-79.482,5