Sunlight is essential for our well-being in suitable-size doses, but can lead to skin problems if we over-expose. Scientists in Frederick, Maryland decided to find out whether sunlight kills the novel coronavirus causing COVID-19 too. Their report dated May 20, 2020 confirmed simulated sunlight destroys the coronavirus in less than 20 minutes. However, this is not a good reason to expose yourself to too much sunlight, just to feast on Vitamin D.
Is Sunlight the ‘Best of Disinfectants’?
Hanging an infected patient’s bedding on the line in sunlight, is more than an ‘old wife’s tale’. Back in 2014, U.S. National Library of Medicine reported hanging contaminated socks in sunlight helped reduce the spread of athlete’s foot disease. The Maryland scientists simulated sunlight in the form of short length UVB rays, which they directed on live COVID-19 samples.
Previous studies showing the virus is stable for extended periods on indoor surfaces, were the departure point for this research. However, this proved not to be the case for the coronavirus suspended in simulated saliva or culture media. That is, after they dried it on stainless steel wafers under their simulated sunlight.
How Soon Did the Simulated Sunlight Kill the Novel Coronavirus?
The short length UVB rays inactivated the virus in the simulated saliva in 6.8 minutes during trials. Although the samples in the culture media needed 14.4 minutes to reach that point. The intensity of the artificial sunlight equated to summer solstice at 40°N latitude at sea level on a clear day.
This information helps us understand why the coronavirus may survive longer on surfaces under indoor conditions away from the sun. However, this does not support the idea of letting sunlight kill the novel coronavirus on our skin. That’s because it could also damage our skin cells, and make them more susceptible to cancer.
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Preview Image: Solar Radiation Spectrum on Earth
