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Why does SARS-CoV-2 survive longer on plastic than on paper?
1Emeritus Professor of Hygiene, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire Toulouse, University of Toulouse, ENVT, 23 chemin des Capelles, 31300 Toulouse, France; Ex team-leader, Food and Cancer team E9, INRAE Toxalim laboratory, Institut National de Recherche pour l'Agriculture, l'Alimentation et l'Environnement, France.
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) inactivates faster on porous paper than on waterproof plastic surfaces. This difference may be due to dryness on absorbent materials versus protected micro-droplets on non-absorbent surfaces.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Materials Science
- Surface Chemistry
Background:
- The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes COVID-19.
- Understanding virus survival on different surfaces is crucial for infection control.
- Previous studies have shown varying SARS-CoV-2 stability across materials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To classify common materials based on SARS-CoV-2 stability.
- To investigate the physical mechanisms influencing virus inactivation on surfaces.
- To explore potential strategies for accelerated virus elimination.
Main Methods:
- SARS-CoV-2 inactivation was measured on various materials including paper, plastic, cotton, and metals.
- Materials were ranked according to virus persistence.
- Hypotheses regarding the role of surface porosity and water retention were formulated.
Main Results:
- SARS-CoV-2 survived significantly longer on plastic (7 days) than on paper (3 hours).
- A stability ranking was established: polypropylene (mask) > plastic > glass > stainless steel > pig skin > cardboard > banknote > cotton > wood > paper > tissue > copper.
- Porous, water-absorbent materials showed faster inactivation, while waterproof surfaces retained the virus longer.
Conclusions:
- Surface properties, specifically water absorption and retention, significantly impact SARS-CoV-2 viability.
- Dryness on porous materials promotes virus inactivation, whereas water-repellent surfaces may protect the virus.
- Further research into these physical phenomena could enable prediction of virus persistence and design of novel antiviral materials.
