"As a particularly nasty flu season rages across the United States scientists have found a powerful new disinfectant that makes light work of the virus. Researchers say a certain spectrum of ultraviolet light  called farUVC  easily kills airborne flu viruses while posing no risk to people. It could offer a new inexpensive way to eliminate airborne flu viruses in indoor public spaces such as hospitals doctors offices schools airports and aircraft said the team from Columbia University Medical Center in New York City. The disinfecting success of initial experiments still need to be confirmed said lead research David Brenner. But he believes the use of overhead lowlevel farUVC light in public locations would be a safe and efficient method for limiting the transmission and spread of airbornemediated microbial diseases such as influenza and tuberculosis. As the researchers explained broadspectrum UVC light kills viruses and bacteria and it is currently used to decontaminate surgical equipment. But this type of light can cause skin cancer and cataracts so its not used in public spaces. However Brenner and his colleagues wondered if a much narrower spectrum of ultraviolet light farUVC might be a safer option. In prior studies they found that farUVC light killed methicillinresistant S. aureus MRSA bacteria  a common and dangerous superbug  without harming human or mouse skin. In this new study they found that farUVC light also killed airborne HN virus a common strain of flu virus. FarUVC light has a very limited range and cannot penetrate through the outer deadcell layer of human skin or the tear layer in the eye so its not a human health hazard said Brenner who directs Columbias Center for Radiological Research. However because viruses and bacteria are much smaller than human cells farUVC light can reach their DNA and kill them he said in a university news release. Lamps with this type of UV light currently cost less than  Brenner said but that price would likely fall if the lamps were massproduced. And unlike flu vaccines farUVC is likely to be effective against all airborne microbes even newly emerging strains he said. Two flu experts were encouraged by the findings. The prospect of reducing the transmission of influenza and other respiratory viruses using farUV radiation is very exciting said Dr. Michael Grosso chief medical officer at Huntington Hospital in Huntington N.Y. Though handwashing remains critically important it does not prevent every instance of transmission Grosso said. Immunization and antiviral medications are also important but again have limitations. It appears that lowdose farUV light is safe and effective and has the advantage of inactivating a wide range of diseasecausing viruses. Dr. Len Horovitz a pulmonary specialist at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City agreed. He noted that the technologys cost is not prohibitive and it is safe. This use can sterilize the air in a public space reducing the spread of respiratory droplets containing flu viruses and other bacteria and viruses. The findings were published online Feb.  in the journal Scientific Reports. More information The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on flu https SOURCES Michael Grosso M.D. chair pediatrics and chief medical officer Huntington Hospital N.Y. Len Horovitz M.D. pulmonary specialist Lenox Hill Hospital New York City Columbia University Medical Center news release Feb."