A new weapon in the fight against superbugs | David Brenner

Since the widespread use of antibiotics began in the 1940s, we've tried to develop new drugs faster than bacteria can evolve -- but this strategy isn't working. Drug-resistant bacteria known as superbugs killed nearly 700,000 people last year, and by 2050 that number could be 10 million -- more than cancer kills each year. Can physics help? In a talk from the frontiers of science, radiation scientist David Brenner shares his work studying a potentially life-saving weapon: a wavelength of ultraviolet light known as far-UVC, which can kill superbugs safely, without penetrating our skin. Followed by a Q&A with TED Curator Chris Anderson.

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[becool]

This needs to be everywhere, yesterday!

[imgayasheck]

SARS-CoV-2 brought me back to this video.

We need an update, where can I get it, so far I couldn't see any prices.

[idhamhafidz]

My idea is that, we take the blood out, radiate the blood with this UV and put the blood back in. It should work

[SpaceManAus]

I was asking why they had not used these lights on the cruise ship to kill the corona virus and make rooms safe, and also could have used ozone air purifiers as well to protect the uninfected.

[DylanBegazo]

What Nanometers are we talking about specifically. He patented something. What did he patent? Can I make my own Far UVC light fixtures myself now or do I have to buy it?

[malvanlondon]

This is amazing. A genuine hope for the future.

[LughSummerson]

He's taking great joy in emphasising that physics works as expected compared to pharmacology.

[guillaume]

Problem is, antibiotics are used to treat a patient when the bug is already in their system. Your solution only provides a way to treat for bugs on the surface of the skin. How do you propose to kill superbugs once they've infected an organism using Far UVC Light.

[jimawhitaker]

That's amazing! I use UVC all the time and have to be very careful. I wear laser goggles and leave the room when I'm sure it started. Good information.

[burkeiowa]

A part of me would love to see this rolled out more quickly. However, like they point out, there are always safety concerns. Since the direct effects on humans may not be as big of a problem, the indirect effects should not be forgotten. The body tends to interact with tiny micro-organisms on our skin, good bacteria, etc. If this is too good at killing off tiny things, then any exposed areas of skin on a daily basis could differ greatly from unexposed skin. That's one of the things I'd be more interested in before this goes too much further.

[NashvilleBraids]

I would love to see more research on this!

[spacegolbfish]

it is better to be used to prevent the desease istead of curing it.

[Schokocraft]

Dead skin can block it... But are the eyes safe? lips mouth tongue? what if you have a wound? What if your skin is very thin after an injury? what will happen to animals? what will happen to good bacteria?

[eoghanmccormack]

In regards to the krypton-chlorine (Kr-Cl) excimer lamp that produces 222-nm UV light.

Would a device using these bulbs require a ballast?

[bradwatson]

Will the "bugs" eventually evolve to be resistant to far-UV light?

[KGello]

And what about the damage to the eyes? If the non-dividing, dead layer of the skin is absorbing the damage normally, how could it be used during surgery? Won't sterilizing every surrounding of ours exacerbate the problem of the growing number of auto-immune diseases?

[opalchik]

Hi, What about regulations? Is it permitted? I know that USHIO also have something similar.

[MauroDraco]

What might not be safe (and they aren't testing, according to the video) is the possible detrimental effects of long time exposition for our natural healthy skin microbiota (the normal bacterias of the skin).

[KyleCorbeau]

I see human beings developing immune deficiencies from lack of exposure to otherwise benign bacteria. I see deaths from flu and allergies skyrocketing as younger people struggle to develop a healthy immune system. Don't throw the baby out with the bath water. Food prep areas and planes, mostly okay; might make your yogurt taste funky though. Hospitals, perfect place for this technology. Schools, airports, and homes, you're asking for trouble. You truly and really are just tempting fate because the second you step outside your body is going to get a rude awakening the real world and we are spending more and more time _indoors_ giving our body's immune systems less and less exposure to pathogens for resistance.

[Overonator]

What about eyes how does it react with human eyes?