2021 International Conference on Electronics, Communications and Information Technology (ICECIT), 14–16 September 2021, Khulna, Bangladesh. 978-1-6654-2363-2/21/$31.00 ©2021 IEEE Design and Development of a low cost Ultraviolet Disinfection system to reduce the cross infection of SARS-CoV-2 in ambulances Sakhawat Hossen Rakib dept. of EEE University of Asia Pacific Dhaka, Bangladesh rakib.h.eee@uap-bd.edu Rafatul Alam Fahima dept. of EEE University of Asia Pacific Dhaka, Bangladesh frafatul@gmail.com S.M Masum dept. of EEE University of Asia Pacific Dhaka, Bangladesh smmasumeee16@gmail.com Atika Farhana dept. of EEE Fareast International University Dhaka, Bangladesh Atikafarhana091@gmail.com Md. Rashadul Islam Patwari dept. of EEE University of Asia Pacific Dhaka, Bangladesh irashedulislam97@gmail.com Md. Aminul Islam dept. of Microbiology Noakhali Science and Technology University Noakhali, Bangladesh aminulmbg@gmail.com Abstract—In this study, a low-cost Ultraviolet disinfection system is proposed to be used inside ambulances for minimizing the cross-infection of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) during patient transfer. The disinfection system consists of a tower unit that contains the Ultraviolet type C (UVC) light fixture and a control box where the power unit is placed. The UVC tower unit is portable, lightweight, and can be easily placed anywhere inside an ambulance. Two ultraviolet (UV) lamps used in the tower part have 254 nm wavelength with a total power of 180 Watt. The disinfection system can provide a dose of 16.9mj/cm 2 within 1.06 seconds and 26.83 seconds if the distance of the targeted surface inside the ambulance from UV sources are 0.3 meters and 1.5 meters respectively. We have chosen various distances from UV source to targeted surface inside an ambulance and calculated the required corresponding times to reach the required dose to inactivate all viral concentrations. The designed disinfection system not only reduces the spread of SARS-CoV-2 by the semi-autonomous way inside ambulances but also requires the least labor efforts which are crucial in the current Covid-19 pandemic. Keywords—Ultraviolet sterilization, SARS-CoV-2, Covid-19, ambulance disinfection. I. INTRODUCTION The coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) transmits one infected person to others by immediate body contact or respiratory droplets. It's also reported that the coronavirus can transmit through infected surfaces like metals, wood, cardboard, and plastic[1]. The genome of SARS-CoV-2 constitutes a glycoprotein Spikes-S and for entering a carrier it uses the same receptor (Angiotensin-converting enzyme-2) like SARS-CoV-1[1],[2]. The experiment on environmental conditions shows that the stability of SARS-CoV-2 is intimate with SARS-CoV-1 yet SARS-CoV-2 shows more stability on stainless steel and plastic[3]. But the conformation of glycoprotein Spikes-S alliance with Type 2 alveolar epithelial cells (AEC2) and the speedy prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 shows the stiffness of infection[2]. As the SARS-CoV-2 virus can spread from highly touchable surfaces like the door handle, patient stretcher inside the ambulance, disinfecting used equipment inside ambulances is very important. Reducing the cross-infection of SARS-CoV- 2 is not only important for general patients but also for health workers working inside the ambulance. Nowadays open burning practices for COVID-related wastes cause air pollution and it’s reported that those wastes are very infectious[4]. But it's a very unhealthy process and has a bad impact on the environment. On the other hand, by manual cleaning, it's not possible to clean full surfaces such as corners of the ambulance or any object properly[5]. As disinfecting patients' ambulance during transport is crucial since medical personnel is associated with it. Inside the ambulance, lots of equipment like tray tables, bed rails, patient beds, and medical apparatus can be a source of SARS- CoV-2 virus transmission[6]. In this modern era, we have to move on to do these difficult tasks such as cleaning germs and bacteria like the SARS- CoV-2 virus in the ambulance by using less labor effort as well as autonomous technology. Due to the complete absorption of the earth's surface UVC (ultraviolet type-C) radiation (200–280 nm) only can produce via UVC lamps. UVC254 effectively can block the activities of all viruses by destroying deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) or ribonucleic acid (RNA). For the reduction of virus replication, it cannot spread infect anymore[7]–[9]. II. RELATED WORK Researchers all over the globe working to improve distinct methods to preclude transmitting the SARS-CoV-2 virus through the surface area. P. Vorapaluk proved by his study that, Innovation Robotic UVC Radiation is effective on the Disinfection of Microbes[10]. Perspective research from Suman Baral presents that UV-C robot is expedient to sanitize public places like banks, hospitals, airports. He finds the satisfactory result of disinfecting the N95 mask using UV- C light [11]. O Zheng presents the technologies and applications of UV-C light for the Disinfect Surface area[12]. E Ackerman proposed that autonomous UV-C Robots can kill Coronavirus in Hospitals[5]. William G. et al. proposed a useful tool by using the UVGI system for disinfecting the ambulance. Their proposed tool can prevent the spreading SARS-CoV-2 virus from the ambulance patient chamber. Several locations have been tested for the purpose and their 2021 International Conference on Electronics, Communications and Information Technology (ICECIT) | 978-1-6654-2363-2/21/$31.00 ©2021 IEEE | DOI: 10.1109/ICECIT54077.2021.9641131