Coronavirus: Disease Control

(asked on 11th May 2021) - View Source

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment has been made by (a) the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies and (b) his Department of the potential merits of using (a) UV-C systems and (b) H2O2 vapour as methods of air purification in response to the covid-19 outbreak.


Answered by
Jo Churchill Portrait
Jo Churchill
Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
This question was answered on 18th May 2021

In July 2020, the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies published a paper on the application of UV disinfection, visible light, local air filtration and fumigation technologies, particularly hydrogen peroxide vapour using H2O2 to microbial control regarding COVID-19 transmission. The paper is available at the following link:

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/904656/S0440_EMG_-_Application_of_UV_disinfection__visible_light__local_air_filtration_and_fumigation.pdf

Public Health England (PHE) has undertaken assessments of inactivation methods against COVID 19, including the use of UV-C and H2O2 vapour, with further evaluations ongoing. PHE published guidance on infection prevention and control for COVID-19. Standard use of UV-C and H202 technologies are not recommended as these could be used to supplement existing cleaning and ventilation rather than replace them. Their guidance is available at the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-infection-prevention-and-control

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