Strategies for Acquiring Dosimetry of a Non-Autonomous UV-C Light Disinfection Robot at 254 nm

Antimicrobial resistance is a significant global concern that could result in millions of annual deaths by 2050. While vaccines serve as preventive methods, there is a need for decontamination of already contaminated environments. In hospitals, traditional decontamination involves manual cleaning and chemical disinfection, which are labor-intensive, prone to errors, and can be harmful to humans. As an alternative, UVC light has been used as a faster and more effective disinfection method, as it damages the DNA/RNA of microorganisms, preventing their replication. UV-C disinfection robots have been increasingly adopted, though precise information on dosimetry and optimal positioning is still lacking. The aim of this study is to assess the reach and effectiveness of a non-autonomous UV-C robot operating at 254 nm with a power of 3900 W. UV irradiation doses, UV-VIS spectrum, and a model for irradiance fields were determined based on experimental data to ascertain the UV doses delivered by the system to the target surface or airborne microbes. Dosimetric films sensitive to UV-C energy, commercially available, were employed to evaluate radiation doses in different spatial regions, with their accuracy compared to UV spectroradiometry techniques. Both dosimetric films and spectroradiometer results indicate rapid and effective action of the equipment over an unshaded area of $\mathbf{1 2. 2 5}$ square meters, with greater UV intensity variation closer to the source.