A recent study conducted by Murata Takayuki, Ph.D, Virology and Parasitology, Fujita Health University, Japan, performed antimicrobial effectiveness testing using Diversey MoonBeam3 on Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), obtained from Kanagawa Prefectural Institute of Public Health, Japan (SARS-CoV- 2/Hu/DP/Kng/19-020).
Diversey MoonBeam3 uses germicidal UV-C light (254 nm wavelength) to disinfect high-touch surfaces and is used in the world’s leading hospitals to reduce the spread of healthcare-associated infections such as MRSA, VRE, MDR-Gram negative, norovirus and C. diff spores. The study was conducted in cooperation with Daylight Medical (USA), Diversey Incorporated (USA), and Fujidenolo Co., LTD (Japan).
In the University’s cooperation with industry, Dr. Takayuki tested the live Covid-19 strain on samples received Aug. 19, 2020. The study began Aug. 24 and was completed on Sept. 15 at the BSL3 Lab, Fujita Health University. Due to the nature of the test samples, the test was performed within a BSC biologic hazard/safety cabinet. Dose rate and accumulated UV-C energy delivered was verified with a LUTRON-254SD dosimeter and NiGK Corporation Super High Sensitivity UV-C Irradiation Color Sensors at Daylight Medical Headquarters in Middleburg Heights, Ohio.
The optimized bulb and reflector geometry of MoonBeam3 was demonstrated to provide exceptional performance. At two seconds of MoonBeam3 exposure, a 99.99 percent (4.21 log 10) reduction of organisms was confirmed (TCID50/mL). At four seconds, the MoonBeam3 left no detectable organisms, a >99.9999 percent (>6 log 10) reduction.
“MoonBeam3 is the first germicidal UV-C 254 nanometer system to demonstrate efficacy against Covid-19. Given typical distance and incident angles and exposure times of 90- to 180-second range, the UV-C energy delivered by MoonBeam3 demonstrates efficacy against Covid-19 for wide-area use,” stated Gary W, Enos, president, Daylight Medical.
“The system’s mobility and ease of positioning in tight spaces, such as school buses, medical transport and RTA, combined with fast delivery of effective UV-C doses makes it the ideal solution whenever and wherever it’s needed. In addition to small spaces, its versatility enables disinfection of a wide variety of pathogens over distances greater than six feet (183 cm) deep and 10 feet (304 cm) wide, such as a hospital room. MoonBeam3 is the perfect solution for proven and safe disinfection during this pandemic and beyond,” Enos added.
Fujita Health University is no stranger to the virus. At the height of the pandemic, Fujita Health University was one of the first hospitals to accept suspect Covid-19 cases. Fujita Health University Okazaki Medical Center cared for 128 asymptomatic carriers who were admitted after vacationing on the Diamond Princess Cruise ship, which was quarantined at the port of Yokohama. American passengers returning to the United States for care and quarantine were transported via bus and ambulance. MoonBeam3 was used to disinfect the vehicles after the passengers disembarked.
MoonBeam3 is third-party efficacy tested. Uniquely designed for maximum versatility, its three articulating arms can be positioned vertically, horizontally or angled, allowing the dose to get close or distanced to surfaces. Easy to use and operate, a user simply plugs it in, positions the arms and presses start. The system will automatically run one of four selectable cycle times — from 90 seconds to 10 minutes — and indicate when the cycle is complete. Built-in safety features will interrupt the cycle if motion or acceleration is detected, helping to guard against accidental human exposure to the UV-C light.
