Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 21, 2025
07:13
Swabbing the Urban Environment - A Pipeline for Sampling and Detection of SARS-CoV-2 From Environmental Reservoirs
Published on: April 9, 2021
4.5K
Simulated Sunlight Rapidly Inactivates SARS-CoV-2 on Surfaces.
Shanna Ratnesar-Shumate1, Gregory Williams1, Brian Green1
1National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center, Operated by Battelle National Biodefense Institute for the US Department of Homeland Security, Frederick, Maryland, USA.
The Journal of Infectious Diseases
|May 21, 2020
Summary
Sunlight rapidly inactivates the SARS-CoV-2 virus on surfaces. This finding suggests natural sunlight may reduce virus persistence and exposure risk outdoors, acting as an effective disinfectant.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Virology
- Public Health
Background:
- Previous research indicated SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus-2) stability on surfaces indoors.
- Understanding virus inactivation on surfaces is crucial for assessing transmission risks.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the efficacy of simulated sunlight in inactivating SARS-CoV-2 on stainless steel surfaces.
- To determine the rate of SARS-CoV-2 inactivation under varying simulated sunlight intensities.
Main Methods:
- SARS-CoV-2 suspended in simulated saliva or culture media was dried onto stainless steel coupons.
- Coupons were exposed to simulated sunlight at different intensities, mimicking various environmental conditions.
- Infectious virus levels were quantified over time to determine inactivation rates.
Main Results:
- Simulated sunlight rapidly inactivated SARS-CoV-2 on stainless steel coupons.
- Ninety percent inactivation occurred every 6.8 minutes in simulated saliva and 14.3 minutes in culture media under intense sunlight.
- Slower, but significant, inactivation was observed under lower simulated sunlight levels.
Conclusions:
- Sunlight demonstrates rapid inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 on surfaces, providing the first evidence for this effect.
- This suggests a lower risk of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in outdoor environments compared to indoor settings.
- Natural sunlight can be considered an effective disinfectant for nonporous materials contaminated with SARS-CoV-2.
