A new study by the University of Southampton, United Kingdom, has found that SARS-CoV-2 can inactivate on copper surfaces in as little as 1 minute.
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pathogen spreads primarily through respiratory droplets and aerosols. But it can also spread through commonly touched contaminated surfaces-also known as “formites”-like doorknobs, light switches, stair rails, and taps.
Researchers at the University of Southampton found that SARS-CoV-2 can inactivate on copper surfaces in as little as 1 minute. Much faster than the findings of previous studies saying it took as much as 4 hours before the virus was inactivated.
The study, published on the preprint bioRxiv* server, proves that copper is a potent antiviral metal.
The same researchers quote an earlier study showing the human coronavirus 229E which causes common colds surviving for over more 5 days on surfaces like glass, metal and plastics. But rapid inactivation of the virus within 10 minutes on various copper surfaces.
The team said replacing existing metal surfaces with copper material is expensive, but suggested coating existing metal and plastic surfaces with copper may be a cheaper and cost-effective method to have a self-disinfecting surface.
Detail: https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2021.01.02.424974v1