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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsSunshine kills coronavirus?
Anyone know of a legit source for info on this?
I thought sunshine did kill it - UV light - but am now reading no.
unblock
(52,106 posts)What experts say: The suns UV light cannot kill the coronavirus, and concentrated UV light should not be used to kill the virus
The claim holds little truth. Experts advised against using concentrated UV light to prevent or treat the coronavirus and do not recommend going in the sunlight to kill the virus.
Only levels of UV light much higher than what is in sunlight can kill viruses, experts said, and the levels that kill viruses can cause irritation to human skin and should be avoided.
Pokrath Hansasuta, assistant professor of virology at Chulalongkorn University, explained what happens to AFP Fact Check.
Ultraviolet is able to kill COVID-19 if it is exposed to the concentrated UV ray in a certain amount of time and distance, she said. However, that level of UV exposure is harmful to humans skin. Most likely, it will be in the light bulb or lamp as the natural UV from the sun is not strong enough to kill it.
FiveGoodMen
(20,018 posts)Unless you're at least half Vulcan.
mr_lebowski
(33,643 posts)hlthe2b
(102,096 posts)I've seen even some hospital HR idiots misconstruing this particular graphic from WHO, which only talks about not using UV light on skin. It IS effective to inactivate on surfaces, however, including masks.
Here's the graphic being misconstrued and the actual science behind UV-C and COVID-19 in the article that follows.
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/myth-busters
?sfvrsn=e5989655_3
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/339887436_2020_COVID-19_Coronavirus_Ultraviolet_Susceptibility
Ultraviolet light can be an effective measure for decontaminating surfaces that may be contaminated by
the SARS-CoV-2 virus by inducing photodimers in the genomes of microorganisms. Ultraviolet light has
been demonstrated to be capable of destroying viruses, bacteria and fungi in hundreds of laboratory
studies (Kowalski 2009). The SARS-CoV-2 virus has not yet been specifically tested for its ultraviolet
susceptibility but many other tests on related coronaviruses, including the SARS coronavirus, have
concluded that they are highly susceptible to ultraviolet inactivation. This report reviews these studies and
provides an estimate of the ultraviolet susceptibility
Drahthaardogs
(6,843 posts)Fauci even stated that. It does NOT kill it instantly though
Edit: forgot the NOT
ProfessorGAC
(64,804 posts)But, for virtually instant fracture of the RNA (double bonds in some nucleic acid backbones) and rapid denaturing of the protein require particularly high intensity.
The preponderance of commercially available uV light sources provide nothing close to that intensity.
For most, you're probably talking about "near instantaneous" going up to 15-30 minutes.
Would take a whole day to do a room then again the next day.
We totally agree it's not very useful.
Drahthaardogs
(6,843 posts)The virus is inactibated long before that.
ProfessorGAC
(64,804 posts)...those double bonds radicalize and cleave in microseconds. So, it would happen anyway.
Double bonds in a fairly short carbon chain are very(!) active. Particularly easy to cleave. (Contrast that to, for instance the double bonds on the unsaturates of vegetable oils. Those bonds are active, but much less so. Both are easily oxidizable)
Also, the ionic chlorine in household cleaners ruin viruses for the same 2 reasons as uV.
I did a lot of work in this area of chemistry.
Drahthaardogs
(6,843 posts)Been working it almost exclusively for years. There is a short carbon - fluorine bond that doesn't cleave.
ProfessorGAC
(64,804 posts)I was talking about carbon-carbon double bonds.
By definition, halocarbons don't have a stable double bond. Any double bond is a conformational transition to a radical, no?
Even in carbon-carbon bonds, single bonds are way more resistant to cleavage.
Drahthaardogs
(6,843 posts)As a PFAS treatment and when you started talking about short bonds, my mind went there.
Anyway, I have not been overly impressed with any of the UV light PFAS studies.
ProfessorGAC
(64,804 posts)For now, bleaches or alkonium chlorides, or low chain alcohols seem to be our go to agents.
I'm equally concerned that the misunderstanding of uV will create a false sense of security. Most people have no understanding of this kind of light beyond it as a cause of sunburn.
Drahthaardogs
(6,843 posts)Simply cannot be beat at this point. Nothing comes close to their performance.
ProfessorGAC
(64,804 posts)Less available to the public though. People can buy bleach, ethanol, or IPA easily. ( Well we could until hoarding hut the supply line is refilling.)
But, your idea seems great.
Wounded Bear
(58,581 posts)One thing it will do is boost production of Vitamin D in your body, which strengthens the immune system.
There are several reasons why many viruses wane in activity as the world warms up.
hlthe2b
(102,096 posts)You need to separate inactivation of virus on inanimate surfaces, versus any effect within humans. The former certainly can occur with sunlight. Any virus can be inactivated over time on surfaces exposed to sunlight--even poliovirus--the most resistant virus known to date.
Sunlight will do nothing to prevent person to person spread nor aid a person already infected. Obviously.
But, please don't confuse the two issues.
Wounded Bear
(58,581 posts)SheltieLover
(57,073 posts)I looked into bulbs of sufficient strength &, of course, they are quite exoensive and out of stock, last I looked.
TheBlackAdder
(28,160 posts)former9thward
(31,923 posts)Those states have among the lowest death rates. California is the largest population state by far, twice the population of NY, and has 5% of the deaths that NY has.
TheBlackAdder
(28,160 posts).
https://infection2020.com/
While it's not at the rate of NYC and Northern NJ, it's definitely there and expanding.
I'm not talking the death rates, I'm talking about the amount of cases, and the heat is not stopping its presence.
.
former9thward
(31,923 posts)TheBlackAdder
(28,160 posts)former9thward
(31,923 posts)#sciencematters
TheBlackAdder
(28,160 posts)Raine
(30,540 posts)and yet the numbers have been low.
onecaliberal
(32,755 posts)hlthe2b
(102,096 posts)Light of the UV-c spectrum that concentrates that particular light spectrum inactivates, but can not be used on skin. Sunlight isn't going to kill (inactivate virus) that is infecting you or anyone else, but on surfaces, the light combined with drying will eventually inactivate on that surface.
https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/myth-busters
sop
(10,088 posts)I can hear him now, "What have you got to lose? At least you'll have a beautiful tan, like me"
Wounded Bear
(58,581 posts)tirebiter
(2,532 posts)JCMach1
(27,553 posts)Only slowly degrades it over time.
UV sterilization also does little to help...
hlthe2b
(102,096 posts)especially the proteins that encapsulate the nucleic acids. Not within a person infected, obviously, but, yes, on surfaces. Even poliovirus can--well known to be one of the most "hardy" viruses to inactivate in the environment. Only bacterial spores are tremendously resistant to drying and direct sunlight.
Going out in the sun does nothing to protect you from infection nor clear your infection, but it is simply not true that viruses, including COVID_19 , enveloped RNA virus readily inactivated by anything that disrupts the envelope, are not inactivated by drying (desiccation) effects of sunlight.
And yes, concentrated UV-C spectrum is effective in doing so on inanimate surfaces as well. NOT ON SKIN
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/339887436_2020_COVID-19_Coronavirus_Ultraviolet_Susceptibility
Confirmation That Ultraviolet is Effective
Ultraviolet light can be an effective measure for decontaminating surfaces that may be contaminated by
the SARS-CoV-2 virus by inducing photodimers in the genomes of microorganisms. Ultraviolet light has
been demonstrated to be capable of destroying viruses, bacteria and fungi in hundreds of laboratory
studies (Kowalski 2009). The SARS-CoV-2 virus has not yet been specifically tested for its ultraviolet
susceptibility but many other tests on related coronaviruses, including the SARS coronavirus, have
concluded that they are highly susceptible to ultraviolet inactivation. This report reviews these studies and
provides an estimate of the ultraviolet susceptibility.
lapfog_1
(29,189 posts)according the Chinese, previous corona viruses, Dr. John Campbell in the UK, and many other experts.
https://spectrum.ieee.org/automaton/robotics/medical-robots/autonomous-robots-are-helping-kill-coronavirus-in-hospitals
Response to lapfog_1 (Reply #27)
JCMach1 This message was self-deleted by its author.
mcar
(42,278 posts)Our positive rates more than doubled in a week. It's very sunny here.
GoCubsGo
(32,073 posts)Because that's where most of the transmission seems to be taking place.
GoCubsGo
(32,073 posts)According to some of the posts here, some UV light is used to decontaminate inanimate objects. Like one's shoes, cardboard boxes, reuseable grocery sacks, clothing that can't easily be laundered... I know it doesn't kill the virus in infected people. I do think there's a good chance that setting inanimate things outdoors in the sunshine for several hours will go a long way in killing whatever viruses might be on them, between the UV light and the heat it generates.
cwydro
(51,308 posts)cilla4progress
(24,708 posts)For example, I hung my "outer mask" (kerchief, essentially, that I wear over old fiber dust mask we have lying around) out in the sun with my latex gloves yesterday to expose them to UV light in an attempt to sterlize / kill any virus exposure?
Don't worry - this is overkill. Not relying on it, so far. Just went up the road with some warm home made bread to take to my shut-in / living alone neighbor. Stayed far away with double-mask and gloves on; no contact. Just investigating for TERRIFYING shopping trip to town later this week!
jeezus, who would have thought drumpf would end up scaring us from our GROCERIES????
uponit7771
(90,301 posts)cilla4progress
(24,708 posts)This might help😷👌From John Hopkins: Copied & Pasted
* The virus is not a living organism, but a protein molecule (DNA) covered by a protective layer of lipid (fat), which, when absorbed by the cells of the ocular, nasal or buccal mucosa, changes their genetic code. (mutation) and convert them into aggressor and multiplier cells.
* Since the virus is not a living organism but a protein molecule, it is not killed, but decays on its own. The disintegration time depends on the temperature, humidity and type of material where it lies.
* The virus is very fragile; the only thing that protects it is a thin outer layer of fat. That is why any soap or detergent is the best remedy, because the foam CUTS the FAT (that is why you have to rub so much: for 20 seconds or more, to make a lot of foam).
By dissolving the fat layer, the protein molecule disperses and breaks down on its own.
* HEAT melts fat; this is why it is so good to use water above 77 degrees Fahrenheit for washing hands, clothes and everything. In addition, hot water makes more foam and that makes it even more useful.
* Alcohol or any mixture with alcohol over 65% DISSOLVES ANY FAT, especially the external lipid layer of the virus.
* Any mix with 1 part bleach and 5 parts water directly dissolves the protein, breaks it down from the inside.
* Oxygenated water helps long after soap, alcohol and chlorine, because peroxide dissolves the virus protein, but you have to use it pure and it hurts your skin.
* NO BACTERICIDE OR ANTIBIOTIC SERVES. The virus is not a living organism like bacteria; antibodies cannot kill what is not alive.
* NEVER shake used or unused clothing, sheets or cloth. While it is glued to a porous surface, it is very inert and disintegrates only
-between 3 hours (fabric and porous),
-4 hours (copper and wood)
-24 hours (cardboard),
- 42 hours (metal) and
-72 hours (plastic).
But if you shake it or use a feather duster, the virus molecules float in the air for up to 3 hours, and can lodge in your nose.
* The virus molecules remain very stable in external cold, or artificial as air conditioners in houses and cars.
They also need moisture to stay stable, and especially darkness. Therefore, dehumidified, dry, warm and bright environments will degrade it faster.
* UV LIGHT on any object that may contain it breaks down the virus protein. For example, to disinfect and reuse a mask is perfect. Be careful, it also breaks down collagen (which is protein) in the skin.
* The virus CANNOT go through healthy skin.
* Vinegar is NOT useful because it does not break down the protective layer of fat.
* NO SPIRITS, NOR VODKA, serve. The strongest vodka is 40% alcohol, and you need 65%.
* LISTERINE IF IT SERVES! It is 65% alcohol.
* The more confined the space, the more concentration of the virus there can be. The more open or naturally ventilated, the less.
* You have to wash your hands before and after touching mucosa, food, locks, knobs, switches, remote control, cell phone, watches, computers, desks, TV, etc. And when using the bathroom.
* You have to Moisturize dry hands from so much washing them, because the molecules can hide in the micro cracks. The thicker the moisturizer, the better.
* Also keep your NAILS SHORT so that the virus does not hide there.
-JOHNS HOPKINS HOSPITAL
Tribetime
(4,681 posts)At John Hopkins 😊
chowder66
(9,045 posts)But this content did not originate with Johns Hopkins, a spokesperson confirmed:
This is not something produced by Johns Hopkins Medicine (JHM). We have seen rumors and misinformation about COVID-19 citing our experts and circulating on social media, and we have received several inquiries from the general public about these posts. We do not know their origin, and they lack credibility.
https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/johns-hopkins-covid-summary/
I found it by looking up Listerine then John Hopkins, Listerine.
Listerine says on their webpage that it only contains 20% alcohol.
No. LISTERINE® mouthwash has not been tested against any strains of coronavirus.
Only some LISTERINE® mouthwash formulations contain alcohol, and if present is only around 20% alcohol. LISTERINE® mouthwash is not intended to be used, nor would it be beneficial as a hand sanitizer or surface disinfectant.
LISTERINE® Antiseptic is clinically proven to kill 99.9 % of germs that cause bad breath, plaque and gingivitis.
https://www.listerine.com/covid-19-update
ProfessorGAC
(64,804 posts)The understanding of the physical chemistry around that "15 seconds" and "foam" thing is lacking, greatly!
That shows a woeful misunderstanding of how surfactants work.
Then, someone else pointed out this really didn't come from Johns-Hopkins.
To my point above, foam is only somewhat relevant to effective cleaning. Also, 15 seconds is not based in science.
One would better off using half a squirt of liquid hand cleaner, washing for 3 seconds, rinse & repeat. How much foam you develop is only a function of total friction, but it doesn't correlate to cleaning efficiency. Only some much friction is needed. More isn't better. More is just more.
Goonch
(3,597 posts)ORIGINAL LISTERINE® Antiseptic Mouthwash | LISTERINE®
www.listerine.com Products
Active Ingredients. Eucalyptol 0.092%. Menthol 0.042%. Methyl salicylate 0.060%. Thymol 0.064%. Inactive Ingredients. Water.
alcohol (26.9%).
former9thward
(31,923 posts)UV light kills viruses and bacteria. That is why the sun is called the world's best disinfectant. Those who are saying otherwise skipped a whole lot of science courses.
CentralMass
(15,265 posts)UV light is categorized by three wavelength groups. UVA, UVB, and UVC. UVC is the shorter and so called germicidal wavelength. Our atmosphere blocks most of the UVC.
former9thward
(31,923 posts)My point stands. Humans are far more hardy than a virus.
Atticus
(15,124 posts)Only UV C is effective as an anti-viral. It has a frequency range of 200 to 280 nanometers.
gibraltar72
(7,498 posts)And you too of course but that's just a technicality.
CentralMass
(15,265 posts)Baitball Blogger
(46,671 posts)cilla4progress
(24,708 posts)out there.
Stunning.
I miss competence. I miss Obama. And even Bill Clinton.
roamer65
(36,744 posts)The more UV light, the faster the degradation.
Sadly, with ozone depletion more UV gets through to the Earths surface.