A novel study on the stability of coronavirus on clothing materials

What is it about?

Knowing how coronavirus spreads can help us stop the infection. The length of time for which the virus stays active on surfaces depends on many factors like the surface type. Coronavirus can infect fur animals like minks and raccoon dogs. Its spread has been reported in mink farms in many countries. Cases of virus spread between humans and minks have also been noted. So, the chances of the virus spreading through fur animals, dirty pelts, and fur products is a big one, and the safety of people handling them needs to be a big focus. In this study, the authors checked the stability of the virus on fur and other fabrics. They also tested if the virus could be put out of action by heat treatment or UV light. They found that the virus stayed active for up 1 day on fake fur, less than a day on cotton, polyester, and faux leather, and even 10 days on mink fur. While UV light couldn’t inactivate the virus, heat treatment at 60°C for an hour could.

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Photo by Ekaterina Grosheva on Unsplash

Photo by Ekaterina Grosheva on Unsplash

Why is it important?

This new study tests the ability of the virus to survive on fur. The study also compares fur to many more clothing materials than previous studies. By figuring out the stability of the virus on clothing material, the risk of virus spread through clothing on production lines and in clothing stores can be understood. This is vital as in such places, many people often touch the same item. It is vital to check coronavirus stability on different fabrics as it helps in selecting suitable materials for reusable masks. KEY TAKEAWAY: Since the coronavirus survives for a longer time on furs and pelts, we should be careful when handling fur animals and their pelts. The results indicate that heat, when controlled correctly, can inactivate the virus and protect people who handle fur animals and their products.