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Ushio launches world's 1st UV lamp that can safely kill coronavirus

32 Comments

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32 Comments
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Great!

5 ( +6 / -1 )

now all they have to figure out now is how to inject the UV light into your lungs

4 ( +9 / -5 )

Really good news. They are a client of mine and I have been to the factories where they develop alot of this technology (very ubiquitous in the semiconductor industry or various UV exposure and EUV applications).

I hope this turns out to be successful as it is quite obvious there are other medical applications for pathogens which are not limited to Coronavirus

4 ( +6 / -2 )

The article should mention Hiroshima University where all this discovered:

https://scitechdaily.com/first-proof-that-a-safer-uv-light-effectively-kills-covid-19-virus/

1 ( +5 / -4 )

Hi gogogo - you are correct 100%. The article does mention Hiroshima University towards the middle

A recent third-party study by Hiroshima University confirmed the 222-nanometer UV rays are effective in killing the new coronavirus, Ushio said.

Also from what I understand Ushio donated the equipment for Hiroshima University to do the study. Japan is still at the forefront of alot of technoligical innovation. Some of it is not the "sexy and exciting" stuff but I see alot technological advances.

Sometimes I point out issues in Japan however I also recognize there are many things people in Japan should be proud of and this is one. It is one reason I would like to see a change in the government. I feel the fact the head of cyber security in Japan never used a computer before (his words) is a travesty. I know there are many very well qualified people in this country that can take on that challenge.

Again - kudos to Ushio

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Sorry, I will take a different stand and not blindly rush to singing praise because these days there is rush to report a product, drug or technology before its effectiveness is fully investigated like the mouthwash.

1 ( +6 / -5 )

making them lethal to germs

...and viruses???

Translation issue, perhaps.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Another anti-COVID-19 product is good news for Japan.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Back in May of this year, New York City was using powerful UV C (207-222 nm) light to kill the coronavirus on subways and buses. The dual-headed lamps were purchased from a Denver-based startup Puro Lighting, which says its UV lights “have efficacy against Class 2 and 3 viruses, including coronaviruses, SARS, Influenza and Ebola.”

But like light, the UV virus killer was ineffective in shadowy areas. They quickly found out that additional measures where needed in places the light could not reach.

A new idea????

2 ( +4 / -2 )

It certainly helps, a lot if used right. But don't expect this be the wonder weapon

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Actually, Trump was first with this idea. He said during a live press conference that it might be good to use ultraviolet light inside the lungs. 

Of course the biased media misconstrued the comments in order to slam him and accuse him of recommending that people digest cleaning fluid which is obviously fake news.  

Unfortunately, fake news sells so accusing the president of mass murderer or lunacy attracts a lot of clicks.

-13 ( +1 / -14 )

@ableko45

Actually, Trump was first with this idea. He said during a live press conference that it might be good to use ultraviolet light inside the lungs. 

He wanted it injected into people's lungs and blood stream.

This isn't the same thing. This is used for decontamination for doctors and patients entering and exiting areas. Not the same thing at all.

6 ( +7 / -1 )

Unfortunately, fake news sells so accusing the president of mass murderer or lunacy attracts a lot of clicks.

its not the media thats the problem, its a leader that thinks he knows better than the scientists and making claims with no scientific proof yet his followers take it as fact. Herd mentality is the problem

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Actually, Trump was first with this idea. He said during a live press conference that it might be good to use ultraviolet light inside the lungs. 

Seriously laughing out loud here! He said this along with ingesting disenfectants too.

Did you happen to try either?

6 ( +6 / -0 )

It probably also emits CoQ enzymes, kills pollen, prevents SARS, and has a built-in unicorn for you -- and not harming health! Awesome! I mean, it's been tested and the results peer reviewed and published over a very long period of... oh wait. Yeah, I'll wait until all the guinea pigs are done with stand they start announcing they've found defects in it, etc.

If it ends up working over a long period of time with no ill-effects, I'll gladly eat my words, but I'm not rushing out to buy it.

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Two key facts missing from this Kyodo News report:

*Researchers** analyzed the potential of the rays in killing seasonal coronaviruses who have the same structure as SARS-CoV-2. However, they did not use the original SARS-CoV-2 for the experiment.*

*The researchers, however, maintained that further investigation is needed to corroborate their findings as their study only investigated its in-vitro efficacy.*

https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/science/uv-rays-have-the-potential-to-kill-covid-19-study/article32652825.ece

3 ( +3 / -0 )

If it ends up working over a long period of time with no ill-effects, I'll gladly eat my words, but I'm not rushing out to buy it.

Either way, seems we are going to be exposed to it. The article says it will be used in places such as buses, trains, elevators and offices

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I hope this turns out to be successful as it is quite obvious there are other medical applications for pathogens which are not limited to Coronavirus

Always good to hear from somebody familiar with the subject under discussion.

But in any case, always productive to have your input in any discussion @Tokyo-Engr

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

This better be 150 percent sure.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Other UV-C are also effective at mutating the genetic code of the virus but also do the same to human skin cells. This machine claims to precisely provide 232 nm wavelength which cannot harm human skin. That's "new"

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Not so good on things like public transport, too many nooks and crannies where the UV light doesn’t reach.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The "first of its kind claim" is dubious. Boeing launched a self-cleaning bathroom in 2016:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l84M_22eWGY

First "without harming human health" is also a dubious claim. UV lights are widely used in public toilets to prevent drug addicts using them.

https://www.hawkesburygazette.com.au/story/2878552/lights-aim-to-give-junkies-the-blues/

This is from 2 years ago:

"This public bathroom has UV antibacterial lights in it"

https://www.reddit.com/r/mildlyinteresting/comments/8yhrfz/this_public_bathroom_has_uv_antibacterial_lights/

Shanghai was using UV light in trains back in March.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Thank god for that confirmation.

I know I can trust big business to have my best interests at the forefront of their thinking.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

I work for a south London council warehouse. We deal with medical equipment. Last Tuesday we had decontamination training. The trainer told us not to place much faith in the UV light 'forms' of decontamination. This was a guy with 30 years experience in dealing with germs and viruses.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Actually, Trump was first with this idea. He said during a live press conference that it might be good to use ultraviolet light inside the lungs.

This light does not do shine ultraviolet light inside the lungs, so what idea are you talking about? The idea that UV rays kill the coronavirus? That came from the scientists, not from Trump. Even though he knows more than anyone about UV of course.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Even though he knows more than anyone about UV of course.

Comes from drinking Lysol every night before bedtime!

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Doesn’t just about every decent air filter unit use UV light? Is everyone who uses one getting cancer?

A UV light buried inside an air filter isn't shining the light on your body. It can't possibly harm you. The supposed danger is direct human exposure to UV light. I am honestly not sure how dangerous that really is but it is very different from a UV light inside a filter.

I have long considered the UV light thing to be a bit of a sales pitch with little behind it, the modern day equivalent of snake oil. There were a couple of companies peddling vacuum cleaners with UV lights that supposedly killed all the germs in the dirt. They didn't. Not even close.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Won't this create ozone? Anything less than 240 nm will probably create ozone. Solving one problem but creating another.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Won't this create ozone? Anything less than 240 nm will probably create ozone. Solving one problem but creating another.

Elsewhere I have read that ozone kills corona viruses. Maybe it's a twofer? Or maybe the real anti-covid agent isn't the UV light itself but the ozone generated by the UV light? I don't know. Just thinking out loud, not a scientist.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

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