UV water treatment tested to keep kids healthy

NCT ID NCT04258059

Completed Prevention Sponsor: Temple University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026

Summary

This study tested whether treating private well water with ultraviolet (UV) light can prevent stomach and respiratory infections in children under 5. Researchers gave 28 Pennsylvania households either a real UV device or a fake one and tracked illness symptoms via weekly texts. The goal is to see if UV treatment reduces the burden of waterborne illness in vulnerable kids.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: UV water treatment device
What this could lead to: If effective, this could show that treating well water with UV light reduces illness in young children, pointing toward a simple prevention method.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-stage trial with only 28 households, so results may not apply broadly. The device may not significantly reduce illness, and the study relies on self-reported symptoms.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Get updates

Get notified about this study

Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for GASTROINTESTINAL INFECTION are added.

Our safety recommendation!

By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use

Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

digestive system infectious disorder respiratory tract infectious disorder viral respiratory tract infection

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

GASTROINTESTINAL INFECTION RESPIRATORY VIRAL INFECTION

Contacts and locations

Locations

Temple University

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19122, United States

More trials for these conditions

Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.