Quantitative UV-C dose validation with photochromic indicators for informed N95 emergency decontamination

PLoS One. 2021 Jan 6;16(1):e0243554. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0243554. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

With COVID-19 N95 shortages, frontline medical personnel are forced to reuse this disposable-but sophisticated-multilayer respirator. Widely used to decontaminate nonporous surfaces, UV-C light has demonstrated germicidal efficacy on porous, non-planar N95 respirators when all surfaces receive ≥1.0 J/cm2 dose. Of utmost importance across disciplines, translation of empirical evidence to implementation relies upon UV-C measurements frequently confounded by radiometer complexities. To enable rigorous on-respirator measurements, we introduce a photochromic indicator dose quantification technique for: (1) UV-C treatment design and (2) in-process UV-C dose validation. While addressing outstanding indicator limitations of qualitative readout and insufficient dynamic range, our methodology establishes that color-changing dosimetry can achieve the necessary accuracy (>90%), uncertainty (<10%), and UV-C specificity (>95%) required for UV-C dose measurements. In a measurement infeasible with radiometers, we observe a striking ~20× dose variation over N95s within one decontamination system. Furthermore, we adapt consumer electronics for accessible quantitative readout and use optical attenuators to extend indicator dynamic range >10× to quantify doses relevant for N95 decontamination. By transforming photochromic indicators into quantitative dosimeters, we illuminate critical considerations for both photochromic indicators themselves and UV-C decontamination processes.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19 / prevention & control
  • Decontamination / methods*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation
  • Equipment Contamination / prevention & control
  • Equipment Contamination / statistics & numerical data
  • Equipment Reuse / statistics & numerical data
  • Humans
  • Indicators and Reagents / radiation effects
  • N95 Respirators / microbiology*
  • Radiometry / methods
  • Respiratory Protective Devices / microbiology*
  • SARS-CoV-2 / pathogenicity
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Ultraviolet Rays
  • Ventilators, Mechanical / microbiology

Substances

  • Indicators and Reagents