Self-reported Side-effects of Ultraviolet-C Disinfection Devices

The COVID-19 pandemic increased sales of portable UV-C devices as a means of inactivating the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Research suggests that excessive UV-C exposure to the eyes and skin can lead to side-effects, primarily photokeratitis and erythema, but these findings are limited to case studies. This study explores self-reported side-effects of UV-C devices by collating five waves of UK consumer survey data from April 2020–December 2021 (N = 26 864). 30%–46% of owners report a side-effect after using a device claiming to emit UV-C. However, detailed analysis of Wave 4 data (N = 309) highlights inconsistencies between reported and plausible side-effect(s) associated with skin or eye exposure from UV-C devices. Alternative explanations are considered, namely that the reported side-effect(s) were psychosomatic or misattributed to direct exposure of UV-C radiation. Data regarding awareness of warnings about device side-effect(s) supports the misattribution explanation. For risk assessment purposes, limited reliable information about specific irritation or injury to the eye and skin was found from self-reporting surveys. To optimize future data collection, we recommend addressing recall errors by: reducing the period under investigation, supplementing responses with empirical measures, and incentivizing respondents to provide accurate information about the make and model of the UV-C device.     

Stiba-, Arsa- and Phosphastannenes: Syntheses and Reactivities

A facile synthesis for unprecedented stibastannene ( 10 ) featuring a Sn=Sb-double bond together with the homologous arsa- ( 9 ) and phosphastannenes ( 8 ) is presented. Chloride abstraction from respective stannyl pnictinidenes [E=P ( 5 ), As ( 6 ), Sb ( 7 )], which were made accessible by reduction of ECl₃ addition products at an intramolecular phosphine-stabilized stannylene, gave the pnictastannenes in moderate yields. The pnictastannenes coordinate Pd(PPh₃)₂ fragments ( 12 – 14 ) and the phosphastannene forms also a nickel coordination compound with the Ni(PPh₃)₂-fragment ( 11 ). 2,3-Dimethylbutadiene shows a [2+4]-cycloaddition ( 15 – 17 ) in reaction with the pnictastannenes ( 8 – 10 ). Products of a [2+2]-addition ( 18 , 19 ) were isolated as the phosphaalkyne reaction products for 8 and 9 . Addition of an O−H bond at the Sn=P-bond was found in reaction of water with phosphastannene 8 . Reaction with ammonia afforded the NH₃-adducts ( 21 – 23 ) at the tin atom for pnictastannenes 8 – 10 . Only in the case of the arsastannene an azide reaction product featuring a three membered Sn−As−N-ring was obtained.