The Effect of Disinfectants on the SARS-CoV-2 RNA Detection in Swabs from Various Surfaces

The COVID-19 pandemic has spread rapidly around the world; some countries have introduced controls on imported products, including testing for viral nucleic acids. In this work, the influence of disinfectants for treating various SARS-CoV-2-contaminated surfaces on the detection of viral RNA fragments in swabs from these surfaces was analyzed using quantitative RT-PCR. Quaternary ammonium salt, hydrogen peroxide, 1-propanol, and sodium salt of dichloroisocyanuric acid, as well as ultraviolet irradiation, were tested as such disinfecting agents. Our results show that without exposure to disinfectants, viral RNA can be detected on the surface of all examined materials for at least 3 days. UV irradiation or irrigation with a disinfectant containing 0.2% active chlorine had the greatest effect on the decontamination of nonporous surfaces as measured by RT-PCR of swabs from these surfaces. Irrigation with disinfectants of porous surfaces (cardboard) had practically no effect on the detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA by RT-PCR.