I had a question for everyone. For many of us choristers, the choir season is quickly winding down as we head into summer and anticipate a very uncertain fall season. My own choir is currently looking at what we can do for next fall besides doing Zoom rehearsals.
I would like to discuss the possibility and feasibility of using UV light during music rehearsals and possibly at concerts. There has been serious consideration in many respected medical circles about using UV light to possibly stop the spread of Covid 19. This idea is based on previous medical research showing that UV light won’t kill a virus like Covid 19 if someone already has it, but UV light will stop the airborne spread of a virus like Covid 19 and prevent it from attaching to new hosts.
As some of you may or may not know, using UV lighting has been used for years in many industrial and medical facilities to sanitize packages and equipment to stop the spread of various types of viruses and other airborne illnesses. As previously stated, it is strongly believed that Covid 19 is also susceptible to UV light. There are, however, some serious radiation concerns with UV lighting that are currently being addressed by medical researchers. To use UV lighting in a rehearsal or at a concert, I would suggest that the ACDA start consulting very soon with medical researchers to determine how much UV lighting would be safely required to get sufficient coverage in a room for the UV lighting to be effective.
I understand that ACDA recently had a major meeting to discuss how choirs can still function during a pandemic. Did any of the medical advisers at this meeting bring up the use of UV lighting or even considered how it could be safely used in a rehearsal or performance setting? If not, I think it should seriously be looked as part of the solution we need to implement in preparation for next fall? As crazy as it sounds, this may be part of our new musical environment for the next few years.
I would be very much interested in getting input on this topic from all concerned, especially medical staff and even leadership from ACDA?
Leah Peer says
They did mention the UV lights in that presentation, and while they will kill the virus there are some serious concerns in using them:
1) they need to be installed at a height of at least 7 ft
2) each unit costs several thousand dollars
3) there is risk of exposure to UV radiation (ie skin cancer issues)
4) the light is so bright that it causes eye issues.
Sarah Hager Johnston says
If UV light were effective (and safe) for prevention of infection in social situations, we’d have know about it a long time ago, and it would be in widespread use.
You state correctly that UV light has long been used in industrial and medical environments for sterilization of equipment, etc. This is done in enclosed spaces (such as cabinets designed for the purpose) or in rooms where the lights are installed, and people leave the space when the lights are activated.
Exposure to UV lights that are strong enough to kill viruses is dangerous and causes injury within minutes.
You may find this helpful:
https://lessonslearned.lbl.gov/Docs/2650/Germicidal%20lamp%20safety%20tips.pdf
There are gazillions of such references available, many of them in language that a layperson can understand.
As for the recent webinar from ACDA, NATS, and Chorus America, you can watch it for yourself and see if it answers your questions.
https://www.chorusamerica.org/resource/top-resource/singing-reopening-safely-time-coronavirus
Bill Paisner says
You should also consider a subtle, but important factor as well – good air exchange in the rehearsal and performance venue. Many systems stop flowing when the heater or A/C goes off. This would be unacceptable. Even when the air is flowing, the amount of outside air exchange may need to be significantly increased. Pass this on.