Can You Use the Sun to Kill COVID-19?

Jenna Daudpota Arts and Entertainment Editor, The Pawprint

Nowadays, the use of UV light is becoming more and more prevalent as a method of “sterilization” and is being used to fight against COVID-19. In Thailand, a college built a UV tunnel for this exact purpose. But, how useful really is this method of protection? 

According to Dan Arnold of UV Light Technology, the use of the correct UV light “would literally be frying people.” This is because the usual light we think of when told ‘UV’ is not the one which can be effectively used against COVID-19.

There are three types of UV rays: UVA, UVB and UVC. UVA is the one we’re exposed to the most; it causes wrinkles and age spots. UVB can damage our skin’s DNA; this causes sunburn and even skin cancer. These two can easily be blocked by a good sun cream. However, UVC is a different threat.

UVC is mostly blocked by our planet’s ozone layer. UVC can destroy any genetic material, and scientists have found that it’s effective in eradicating disease – hence, it’s usable in sterilization. But let’s not forget that UVC can destroy any genetic material, including that of a human. That’s why Arnold  recommends using safety equipment before interacting with UVC.