Ethan Clarke
The Covid-19 coronavirus, or SARS-CoV-2, can survive on plastic for up to 96 hours, according to initial studies by the World Health Organization (WHO). Other sources suggest that the virus can remain active on plastic for up to three days or even seven days. The length of time the virus stays active depends on various factors, including the material, temperature, and humidity. The virus is inactivated faster on porous surfaces like paper, cardboard, and wood, as these materials absorb moisture, whereas smooth and waterproof surfaces like plastic, glass, and stainless steel tend to protect the virus by allowing droplets of water to remain.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Virus | SARS-CoV-2 |
| Virus Stability | From long to short: polypropylene (masks), plastic, glass, stainless steel, pig skin, cardboard, banknotes, cotton, wood, paper, tissue, copper |
| Virus Survival on Plastic | 3 days to 7 days |
| Virus Survival on Other Surfaces | Cardboard (1 day), Copper (4 hours), Glass (5 days), Stainless Steel (3 days) |
| Virus Behaviour | Inactivated by dryness on porous materials but sheltered by micro-droplets of water on waterproof surfaces |
| Preventative Measures | Cleaning, sanitizing, avoiding touching public surfaces, vaccination, handwashing, social distancing, and wearing masks |
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What You'll Learn
- COVID-19 can survive on plastic for up to 3 days
- Water droplets can remain on plastic for over 24 hours, protecting the virus from dryness
- The virus is inactivated faster on paper than on plastic
- The risk of infection from touching a contaminated surface decreases over time
- The spread of the virus can be reduced by using paper instead of plastic
COVID-19 can survive on plastic for up to 3 days
The COVID-19 virus can survive on plastic for up to 3 days. This is significantly longer than on other surfaces such as cardboard (1 day) and copper (4 hours). The length of time that COVID-19 can survive on a surface depends on the material, temperature, and other factors.
The persistence of the virus on different surfaces is an important factor in understanding its transmission. SARS-CoV-2 has been found to survive longer on hard, smooth, and waterproof surfaces, such as plastic, glass, and stainless steel. On these surfaces, the virus can be sheltered from heat and dryness by micro-droplets of water, which can persist for more than 24 hours.
In contrast, porous and absorbent materials, such as paper, cardboard, and wood, have been shown to inactivate the virus much faster. This is due to the moisture-blotting properties of these materials, which can lead to the virus drying out and becoming inactivated.
It is important to note that the presence of detectable amounts of the virus on a surface does not necessarily mean that it is still infectious. Dr. Esper, an infectious disease specialist, explains that the amount of live virus decreases over time when outside the body. Therefore, while COVID-19 may be detectable on a surface for several days, the risk of infection from touching that surface would be lower over time.
To prevent the spread of COVID-19, it is important to continue following recommended guidelines such as regular handwashing, avoiding touching your face, and sanitizing frequently touched surfaces. These precautions can help reduce the risk of transmission, even when the virus may be present on surfaces for extended periods.
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Water droplets can remain on plastic for over 24 hours, protecting the virus from dryness
Water droplets can remain on plastic for over 24 hours, protecting the SARS-CoV-2 virus from dryness. The World Health Organization (WHO) has found that the SARS-CoV-2 virus can remain alive and multipliable on plastic surfaces for up to 96 hours. This extended survival period is due to the water droplets that can linger on plastic surfaces for over 24 hours, providing a protective environment for the virus.
The discovery highlights the importance of regularly cleaning and disinfecting high-touch plastic surfaces, such as plastic bags, to prevent the spread of the virus. While disposable plastic bags are less likely to transmit the virus due to reduced handling, reusable bags can be cleaned with soap and water and disinfected with a diluted bleach solution or disinfectant. Cloth bags can be washed like laundry and dried on warm settings to ensure proper sanitation.
Additionally, it is crucial to avoid touching your face, wash your hands frequently, and wipe down plastic items like baskets and carts to minimize the risk of virus transmission. The survival of the SARS-CoV-2 virus on plastic surfaces for extended periods underscores the need for vigilant hygiene practices, especially when coming into contact with plastic items.
Furthermore, the presence of water droplets on plastic surfaces for prolonged periods can have implications beyond viral survival. It can also contribute to the growth of bacteria and other microorganisms, posing additional health risks. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that plastic surfaces are thoroughly dried after cleaning to mitigate the potential for bacterial growth.
While the focus is primarily on the SARS-CoV-2 virus, it is worth noting that plastic surfaces can harbor other harmful substances. For instance, studies have found that plastic materials can contain and leach out various chemicals, impacting health. These chemicals, such as BPA, phthalates, and PFAS, have been linked to cancer, reproductive harm, and heart disease. Thus, the prolonged presence of water droplets on plastic surfaces may not only protect the virus from dryness but also facilitate the release of these chemicals, potentially exacerbating their impact on human health.
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The virus is inactivated faster on paper than on plastic
The novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) can survive on plastic for up to seven days, according to a study by the Indian Institute of Technology-Bombay. The study found that the virus survived for only two days on paper. This is because the evaporation of droplets is much faster on porous surfaces like paper and cloth than on impermeable surfaces like plastic, glass, and stainless steel.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has found that the virus remains alive for up to 96 hours on plastic, and only up to 12 hours on wooden surfaces. This is due to the microstructure of the wood and the presence of antimicrobial substances.
The survival period of the coronavirus can be affected by factors like temperature and humidity. The virus is rapidly inactivated at 70°C (158°F). At higher temperatures and humidity levels, it can survive only for a shorter period.
To reduce the risk of transmitting COVID-19, it is important to clean surfaces like plastic and steel more often. Cardboard boxes used for deliveries are considered a safer option as they would inhibit virus survival.
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The risk of infection from touching a contaminated surface decreases over time
The Covid-19 coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2, can survive on plastic for up to 7 days. However, the risk of infection from touching a contaminated surface decreases over time. Viruses start to die as soon as they leave the body, and their ability to infect decreases over time. While the virus may still be detectable on a surface after several days, the amount present is likely to be insufficient to cause infection.
The persistence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus on surfaces depends on the material. It survives longer on hard, smooth, non-absorbent, waterproof surfaces like plastic, glass, and stainless steel, compared to porous, absorbent materials like paper, cardboard, wood, and tissue. Water droplets can remain on these waterproof surfaces for days, protecting the virus from dryness and allowing it to remain active for longer.
The microstructure and antimicrobial properties of wood, for example, make it comparatively "virus-proof". Similarly, copper and its alloys are better alternatives to stainless steel for surfaces like door handles and knobs.
To reduce the risk of infection, it is important to avoid touching your face after touching public surfaces, and to wash your hands properly and regularly. Reusable bags, for example, should be handled with care and washed before and after use to reduce the risk of transmitting the virus.
While the risk of infection from contaminated surfaces does decrease over time, it is still important to maintain good hygiene practices and follow other preventive measures, such as social distancing, to stop the spread of the virus.
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The spread of the virus can be reduced by using paper instead of plastic
The COVID-19 coronavirus, or SARS-CoV-2, can remain active on plastic for up to 7 days. The virus is inactivated much faster on paper, typically within 3 hours. This is due to the absorbent nature of paper, which blots moisture and inactivates the virus. Conversely, the smooth and waterproof nature of plastic protects the virus from dryness, allowing it to remain active for much longer.
Given the longer survival time of the virus on plastic, its use could potentially increase the risk of spreading the infection. Therefore, opting for paper instead of plastic can be an effective way to reduce the spread of the virus. For instance, using paper bags instead of plastic bags for groceries or packaging can lower the risk of transmission.
Wooden surfaces have also been found to be comparatively "virus-proof". Initial studies by the World Health Organization (WHO) indicate that the coronavirus remains active on wooden surfaces for up to 12 hours, while it can persist on plastic for up to 96 hours. This highlights the advantage of using natural materials like wood and paper over plastic to curb the spread of the virus.
It is important to note that the risk of infection from touching surfaces decreases over time. Even if the virus is detectable on a surface, it does not necessarily mean it is present in sufficient quantities to cause infection. Nonetheless, it is crucial to maintain proper hygiene practices, such as washing hands, avoiding touching the face, and cleaning high-contact surfaces like countertops and doorknobs.
By understanding the behaviour of the virus on different surfaces, we can make informed choices to minimise its spread. Replacing plastic with paper or other absorbent materials for specific applications can be a simple yet effective strategy to break the chain of infection and create a safer environment for everyone.
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Frequently asked questions
The SARS-CoV-2 virus can stay on plastic for up to 7 days.
The SARS-CoV-2 virus can stay on stainless steel for up to 96 hours or 4 days.
The SARS-CoV-2 virus can stay on cardboard for up to 24 hours or 1 day.
The SARS-CoV-2 virus can stay on copper surfaces for up to 4 hours.
The SARS-CoV-2 virus can stay on paper for up to 3 hours.
