Journal
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
Volume 222, Issue 4, Pages 564-571Publisher
OXFORD UNIV PRESS INC
DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiaa334
Keywords
SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; aerosol decay; aerosol persistence; sunlight; relative humidity
Categories
Funding
- DHS Science and Technology Directorate [HSHQDC-15-C-00064]
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Aerosols represent a potential transmission route of COVID-19. This study examined effect of simulated sunlight, relative humidity, and suspension matrix on stability of SARS-CoV-2 in aerosols. Simulated sunlight and matrix significantly affected decay rate of the virus. Relative humidity alone did not affect the decay rate; however, minor interactions between relative humidity and other factors were observed. Mean decay rates ( SD) in simulated saliva, under simulated sunlight levels representative of late winter/early fall and summer were 0.121 +/- 0.017 min(-1) (90% loss, 19 minutes) and 0.306 +/- 0.097 min(-1) (90% loss, 8 minutes), respectively. Mean decay rate without simulated sunlight across all relative humidity levels was 0.008 +/- 0.011 min(-1) (90% loss, 286 minutes). These results suggest that the potential for aerosol transmission of SARS-CoV-2 may be dependent on environmental conditions, particularly sunlight. These data may be useful to inform mitigation strategies to minimize the potential for aerosol transmission.
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