Keeping the virus at bay

Some studies have shown air humidity at 40–60% Relative Humidity (RH) is the optimum level for human health. Therefore, maintaining the indoor humidity at this level could provide an effective mechanism for controlling COVID-19. Research is underway for hospitals and schools.

Meanwhile, Brightgreen lighting company is working towards engineering UV-C lights in its fight back against COVID-19.

“UV-C is well established in medical practice as a way to eradicate viruses. The challenge is to keep it safe and economical,” said Brightgreen’s Head of Engineering, Nathan Moffat.

According to the company, the UV-C rays can be harmful to humans so the Brightgreen system uses presence monitors and disinfection will not begin until the room is empty.

Brightgreen is in the final stages of engineering the lights that will have dual light spectrums. This will enable the lights to be switched between standard visual lighting and germicidal rays. The system will be fully automated to run overnight for a full disinfection with shorter daytime options when the space is empty.

The company designed the lights to be easy to install for a fast, scalable solution. The lights will be manufactured in Melbourne.

Brightgreen CEO David O’Driscoll said, “We will make the designs for this system open source, so other manufacturers can tool up to increase the speed to market with this high-impact system.”

As there’s no clear indication of how long this pandemic will last, workarounds may provide some solutions in the meantime, but safety must be the number one priority first.

 Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/AVAKAphoto