Ethan Clarke
The COVID-19 virus can survive on plastic surfaces for up to three days, according to scientists from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). The virus is carried by droplets released when an infected person coughs or sneezes, and these droplets can infect people in aerosols for at least three hours. The COVID-19 virus has more success surviving on hard, non-porous surfaces such as glass and plastic than on porous materials like bedding or cardboard, where it becomes unviable after 24 hours. Environmental factors such as temperature and humidity can also damage the virus while it is airborne, and the rate of decay of the virus on a surface over time is important as it reduces the likelihood of infection.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| How long does coronavirus live on plastic? | Up to three days, according to scientists from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). |
| How long does coronavirus live on cardboard? | Up to 24 hours, according to the New England Journal of Medicine. |
| How long does coronavirus live on stainless steel? | Up to three days, according to the New England Journal of Medicine. |
| How long does coronavirus live on copper surfaces? | Up to four hours, according to scientists from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID). |
| How long does coronavirus live on porous surfaces, such as bedding? | The virus can survive for a shorter duration on porous surfaces compared to hard surfaces like glass and plastic. |
| How long does coronavirus live in cars? | The duration depends on factors such as the size of the car, the level of the virus, and the temperature inside the car. If the temperature is above 72°F, the virus won't survive longer than 5-30 minutes. |
| How long does coronavirus live on fabrics? | The virus can last about two days on some fabrics. |
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What You'll Learn
Coronavirus can survive on plastic for up to three days
The COVID-19 virus can survive on plastic surfaces for up to three days. This is because plastic forms a relatively hospitable environment for the virus. The virus is able to infect people when carried by the droplets released when an infected person coughs or sneezes. A single cough or sneeze can produce up to 3,000 droplets, which can then linger in the air for at least three hours and remain on plastic surfaces for up to three days.
The COVID-19 virus has more success surviving on hard, non-porous surfaces such as glass and plastic, compared to porous materials like fabric or cardboard. On cardboard, the virus is rendered inactive after 24 hours. On copper surfaces, the virus dies after four hours.
The survival of the virus on surfaces also depends on other factors, such as temperature and humidity, which can damage the virus while it is airborne. The virus is also more likely to survive if a large volume of viral particles is transferred to a surface.
To reduce the risk of infection, it is important to disinfect frequently touched plastic surfaces. It is also recommended to wash your hands frequently for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser.
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It's unlikely to catch COVID-19 from a contaminated surface
While it is unlikely to contract COVID-19 from a contaminated surface, the risk is not non-existent. The length of time the virus can survive depends on several factors, including environmental factors, the length of time between contamination and contact, and the amount of virus transferred.
In the early stages of the pandemic, there were cases reported that were thought to have spread through surface transmission, but it was difficult to rule out airborne transmission. A more recent, small-scale study from 2023 compared in vitro and real-life cases of how COVID-19 could survive in the environment.
COVID-19 has more success surviving on hard, non-porous surfaces, such as glass and plastic, than on porous ones like fabric or cardboard. The virus can remain alive for as short as 30 minutes on paper to as long as three days on plastic and seven days on stainless steel. However, the longer the virus is on a surface, the less infectious it becomes over time. On cardboard, for example, the virus is not viable after 24 hours.
To reduce the risk of catching COVID-19 from contaminated surfaces, it is important to frequently wash your hands for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser. Additionally, be sure to disinfect frequently touched plastic surfaces and other hard surfaces, and wash your bedding if you or anyone in your household has COVID-19.
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COVID-19 survives longer on hard surfaces than porous ones
The COVID-19 virus can survive on surfaces for hours or even days, depending on various factors. Environmental factors such as temperature and humidity can damage the virus while it is airborne. The length of time between contamination and contact also plays a role, as does the amount of virus transferred to a surface.
COVID-19 survives longer on hard, non-porous surfaces than porous ones. On plastic, the virus can remain infectious for up to three days. Similarly, on stainless steel, COVID-19 can survive for two to three days. On cardboard, the virus is no longer viable after 24 hours, and on copper, it dies within four hours.
The virus's ability to persist on different surfaces is influenced by the rate of decay, or half-life. This refers to the time it takes for half of the virus sample to die. While the virus may linger on surfaces for several days, the risk of infection decreases over time as the virus gradually decays.
The success of COVID-19 survival on hard surfaces is attributed to the behaviour of droplets once they come into contact with these materials. When the virus is carried by droplets from a cough or sneeze, it can remain infectious in aerosols for at least three hours. On hard surfaces, these droplets take longer to evaporate, allowing the virus to survive for extended periods.
In contrast, porous materials like fabric or bedding present a less favourable environment for the virus. The droplets evaporate much faster on these surfaces, reducing the likelihood of infection. However, the virus can still survive on some fabrics for about two days, although the risk of contracting COVID-19 from bedding is considered low.
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The virus can survive for shorter periods on car surfaces
The COVID-19 virus can survive for shorter periods on car surfaces, depending on various factors. The size of the car, the level of virus on surfaces like the dashboard, and the temperature inside the car can all influence how long the virus lasts. For instance, if the car's temperature rises above 72°F (22.2°C) due to being parked in the sun, the virus will not survive much longer than 5 to 30 minutes.
The COVID-19 virus generally has more success surviving on hard, non-porous surfaces, such as glass and plastic, compared to porous materials like fabric or cardboard. On plastic, the virus can remain infectious for up to three days, while on cardboard, it is usually not viable after 24 hours.
However, it's important to note that the likelihood of contracting COVID-19 from contaminated surfaces is relatively low. Most infections are caused by airborne transmission through water droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes. These droplets can remain infectious in aerosols for at least three hours, and a single cough can produce up to 3,000 droplets.
While the risk of surface transmission exists, it is important to disinfect frequently touched surfaces and practice good hygiene. Washing your hands often for at least 20 seconds or using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer can help protect against the virus.
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The virus has a faster decay rate on cardboard
The COVID-19 virus has a faster decay rate on cardboard than on plastic. Research has shown that the coronavirus can survive on cardboard for up to 24 hours. In comparison, it can last up to three days on plastic surfaces.
The lifespan of the coronavirus on different surfaces varies. The virus can remain viable and contagious on surfaces for days, with cardboard presenting a lower risk of transmission compared to plastic. The virus can also survive in the air for up to three hours in the form of aerosols, which are tiny droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
The virus's longevity on cardboard is approximately a day, with some studies reporting 24 hours and others reporting a slightly shorter duration. The durability of the coronavirus on cardboard is significantly shorter than that of plastic, where it can persist for up to 72 hours.
The disparity in the virus's survival rates on cardboard and plastic underscores the importance of understanding the characteristics of different materials during a pandemic. The faster decay rate of the coronavirus on cardboard is attributed to various factors, including the material's absorbent nature and surface characteristics. Cardboard's fibrous and porous structure may contribute to the faster absorption and breakdown of the virus.
Additionally, the environment in which cardboard is often used may also expedite the decay of the virus. Cardboard boxes, for instance, are frequently exposed to fluctuations in temperature and humidity during shipping, which can create unfavourable conditions for the virus's survival. The risk of contracting the virus from cardboard, especially in the context of deliveries and packaging, is considered relatively low.
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Frequently asked questions
The coronavirus can live on plastic for up to three days.
The coronavirus can live on cardboard for up to 24 hours, on stainless steel for two to three days, and on copper surfaces for four hours. It can survive on porous materials, such as fabric, for about two days.
It is unlikely to catch COVID-19 from a contaminated surface, but the risk still exists. To protect yourself, frequently wash your hands for at least 20 seconds or use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser. Also, be sure to disinfect frequently touched plastic surfaces.
