Ensuring the safety of cricket players, teams, and IPL staff against airborne diseases during IPL 2022 is crucial. The environment in a dressing room at halftime, with players sitting close together, sweaty and breathing heavily, is ideal for virus transmission. To address this risk, the use of UVGI technology is necessary (Aerosol Susceptbility of Influenza Virus to UV-C Light, 2012).

According to the WHO, airborne pathogens can spread in crowded and poorly ventilated indoor spaces over an extended period of time. 239 scientists from 32 countries have emphasized the evidence showing that smaller particles can infect individuals. This highlights the need for air purifiers in indoor spaces.

UV-C technology is being adopted by progressive cricket and football clubs worldwide to provide an additional layer of protection against airborne viruses. UVGI-based air purification technology plays a crucial role in keeping clubs open and ensuring the safety of staff, coaches, and players during these challenging times.

Are UV Rays Effective in Disinfecting Air and Surfaces of the Covid-19 Virus?

This question is pertinent as the world emerges from long lockdowns, and various establishments are nearing full occupancy. UV technologies offer numerous benefits compared to chemical disinfectants.

Various scientific studies support the effectiveness of UV technologies. A study involving scientists and physicians at the Columbia University Irving Medical Centre found that a specific wavelength of ultraviolet light could kill over 99.9 percent of seasonal viruses present in airborne droplets. UV-C light with a wavelength of 254nm has been proven to be a powerful disinfectant. The time required to break down the virus’s DNA/RNA varies based on the light source’s strength and its proximity to the contaminated surface.

So How Could a Cricket Stadium Make Use of This Technology?

Airborne particles pose a significant transmission risk, making air disinfection crucial, especially in environments where viruses, bacteria, and other pathogens can be transmitted through air-conditioning ducts. Utilizing the Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI) System for air purification is one effective way to disinfect air and indoor spaces and prevent transmission. In poorly ventilated spaces, UVGI Upper Room air purifier systems can be installed on ceilings and walls to ensure that air passes through a disinfection zone before being circulated back into the lower levels via natural or mechanical convection.