Re: what effect would uv sterilization have on human blood?

Howdy -

UV sterilization is not used on blood products. Ultraviolet rays are unable to penetrate the plastic containers used for storing blood products, and so would have no effect.

However, blood banks commonly irradiate products with X-ray or gamma sources such as ¹³⁷Cs or ⁶⁰Co. It's important to realize that the rays are emitted from a source external to the blood products, so no radioactive isotopes make it into the products. Radiation damages the DNA of the T-cells, inactivating them. The levels of radiation used do not affect red blood cells, platelets or plasma factors which lack DNA.

Blood products are irradiated primarily to kill lymphocytes and prevent the occurrence of Graft-Versus-Host-Disease (GVHD). Lymphocytes, specifically T-cells from the donor, can potentially react against the person receiving the blood. The immune system of a healthy individual would rapidly clear donor T-cells entering the circulation. However, individuals who are immunocompromised due to genetic defects, AIDS, or treatments for cancer and other diseases, often cannot mount an adequate defense against the foreign T-cells. The donor T-cells see the recipient's tissue as "foreign" and begin attacking the receipient's body.

GVHD is a very rare disease. You cannot get it by donating blood.

I hope this answers your question..

-L. Bry, MD/PhD
Department of Pathology
Brigham & Women's Hospital
Harvard Medical School

References:
Transfusion Medicine, J. McCullough, McGraw Hill, 1998.
The American Red Cross (1-800-GIVE-LIFE).