Ultraviolet C light technology can substantially reduce the risk of respiratory infections among residents of aged care facilities, an Australian study revealed.
Researchers installed germicidal ultraviolet (GUV) devices in nursing homes in South Australia to purify the air by emitting UVC light that inactivates viruses and bacteria, according to a statement released by Flinders University of South Australia.
A randomized trial in four senior care facilities showed that use of a commercial GUV device reduced viral respiratory infections by 12.2 percent, about 0.3 fewer cases per week, according to research detailed in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine , published by the American Medical Association .
"Some of the key advantages of ultraviolet germicidal air treatment devices are that they are easy to install in existing facilities and cost-effective," said lead author Andrew Shoubridge of Flinders University and the South Australian Institute of Health and Medical Research.
Senior author Geraint Rogers said GUV technology offers a practical and simple way to protect vulnerable residents and other high-risk environments.
This two-year study found that the GUV device is safe for residents, can be used across a range of facilities, and is effective in reducing airborne pathogens in real-world aged care settings.
With more than 250,000 Australians living in aged care facilities, this technology could crucially protect older people from seasonal and pandemic respiratory threats, with broader implications for global airborne disease control, researchers said.
