Far-UVC Is a Public Health Tool We Need Now

Concept images of Far-UVC

(Adobe Stock 316993517 by hopenv)

On the face of it, we might not seem like logical candidates to cowrite this op-ed. One of us (Ewan Edie) is based in Scotland and focuses on health care and optical radiation in hospital settings. The other (Paul Locke) is a US professor who bridges science and policymaking, with expertise in law and toxicology. However, these distances and educational differences fade when we concentrate on what unites us. We see in sharp focus that a better world centers on keeping people healthy and reducing risk, particularly in places where the public comes for care, such as health care settings and hospitals. Looking past our differences, we see a unifying truth: Preventing infection and promoting health, particularly in places like hospitals where the public is most vulnerable, is a shared priority.

Health care-associated Infections (HAIs) pose a serious threat to medical facilities, affecting patient safety and healthcare costs. According to the CDC HAI Progress Report, one in 31 hospital patients and one in 43 nursing home residents in the US acquire HAIs, underscoring the urgent need for better infection control. According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, in England, HAIs contribute to nearly 23,000 deaths each year, while in Scotland, one in 100 hospital patients is affected. These infections endanger lives, increase health care expenses, prolong recovery, and strain healthcare resources.

While several proven methods to tackle HAIs exist—such as improving ventilation and cleaning indoor air—current hospital ventilation systems alone cannot capture and destroy all airborne pathogens. Therefore, we need a layered approach that leverages multiple tools to safeguard public health. Far-UVC is a promising tool that we need to add to this layered strategy.

Far-UVC is a specific type of ultraviolet light at the 222-nanometer wavelength that represents an important advancement in the field of pathogen control. Conventional UVC light has long been used to inactivate airborne viruses and bacteria, but it poses risks to human skin and eyes, limiting its use in occupied spaces. Far-UVC, however, is different. Research shows that it can destroy airborne pathogens like those causing HAIs while remaining safe for direct human exposure, opening an unprecedented opportunity for infection control in settings where people congregate.

Imagine this: With a simple flick of a switch, a Far-UVC system could be activated in a hospital room, targeting pathogens too small for ventilation systems to filter out. This technology, backed by promising research, could significantly reduce the spread of HAIs and save lives. In the event of another pandemic like COVID-19, where airborne transmission is a significant threat, Far-UVC could be even more essential.

While Far-UVC technology is promising, there are still questions to be answered. Ongoing research examines its impact on indoor ozone and particulate matter levels to ensure safe, long-term use in occupied spaces. Despite these questions, the urgent need to reduce HAIs and protect patients means Far-UVC deserves serious consideration now, especially as part of a layered strategy for indoor air disinfection.

For one of us (PL), the urgency of this technology is deeply personal. During the COVID-19 pandemic, I was hospitalized after emergency surgery. While I was told the surgery was a success, I knew there were additional risks—HAIs and COVID-19—that were beyond my control. Thankfully, I recovered, but as the numbers show, not everyone is as fortunate. Far-UVC wasn’t available to me, but I hope future patients will benefit.

Our shared commitment to public health centers on preventing disease and improving lives. The statistics on HAIs and the need for a multifaceted approach to indoor air safety underscore a simple fact: Deploying Far-UVC in health care settings is a public health intervention whose time has come. The lives saved, the suffering reduced, and the hope restored to vulnerable patients would be invaluable. It’s time to take the next step and bring Far-UVC technology into the places where it’s most needed.

The views expressed in this article are the authors’ own and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of Johns Hopkins University or Ninewells.