Development and evaluation of equipment for disinfection by ultraviolet radiation in healthcare environments

Background and Objectives: In hospitals, where there is a high circulation of microorganisms, complementary technologies are essential to improve disinfection. This study aimed to develop a technology adapted to our reality, produced and tested by our research group, safe, easy to operate and with low construction cost so that it can be used in health environments such as hospitals with limited resources. Methods: After research, 55W lamps, T8 - G13 - 909 mm with emission of ultraviolet radiation at 254 nm were chosen as the UVC source. The “Torre UVC” application was created using the Android Studio IDE. Power measurements taken with a radiometer were used to assess the efficiency of the UVC tower and determine the appropriate doses. The efficiency of the tower against some clinically important microorganisms was evaluated. Results: The UVC tower was constructed with an aluminum frame and 8 lamps, allowing remote operation. The app was designed for easy and intuitive use. The efficiency tests conducted with the radiometer demonstrate an exponential decrease in radiation dosage as objects or surfaces move away from the tower. The tower effectively inhibited microbial growth (bacteria and fungi) even with low doses of UVC radiation (12 mJ/cm²) and reduced the viral load of the SARS-CoV-2 positive sample. Conclusion: It was possible to develop a safe and easy to operate technology with low construction costs that can be used in healthcare environments with satisfactory results in the disinfection of microorganisms.