Research suggests that to prevent common mold growth, low-dose Far-UVC light could be applied as a chemical-free addition to manual cleaning of indoor surfaces.

A recent study has determined that intermittent low-intensity Far-UVC light can inhibit mold growth below the threshold limit value of 23 mJ/cm2. At 222nm, Far-UVC light was shown to prevent development of common mold-producing fungi, specifically Penicillium candidum.

The on-off duty cycle pattern of the Far-UVC light used in the study is “consistent with its use in real-world settings”, the corresponding paper stated. The main benefit of Far-UVC light is that it can inactivate microorganisms while remaining safe for humans, according to the authors. Conventional UVC light is “well-known for its antimicrobial properties” and as such is “typically administered in one large dose while no people are present or used for upper-room decontamination,” the authors explained.

Yet the study showed that using low-intensity Far-UVC light “significantly inhibited both vertical and horizontal growth of P. candidum”, the paper showed. As such, it suggested that the method is beneficial for reducing or preventing mold growth in the air, even in the presence of people.

Read Full Article: https://www.europeanpharmaceuticalreview.com/news/220711/mould-study-highlights-safer-far-uvc-light-cleaning-alternative/

The authors highlighted that because “indoor mold growth increases the risk of high concentrations of airborne spores, preventing growth on indoor surfaces is crucial to securing indoor air quality.”