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COVID-19 Virus Survives On Surfaces Within Thin Films: IIT Bombay Study

According to a new study, a longer survival time of the coronavirus corresponds to increased chances of being infected

COVID-19 Virus Survives On Surfaces Within Thin Films: IIT Bombay Study
Highlights
  • Regularly disinfect frequently touched surfaces: Experts
  • Precautions must be taken without fail in areas prone to outbreaks: Experts
  • Coronavirus has relatively longer survival time on plastic, glass: Experts

Mumbai: The COVID-19 virus survives on surfaces by clinging to thin liquid films, according to a study by researchers at IIT-Bombay which provides insights into how the novel coronavirus sustains for hours or days on solid surfaces under ambient conditions. The study, published in the journal Physics of Fluids, attributes the long survival time of the novel coronavirus on a surface to the slow evaporation of a thin nanometre liquid film remaining after the evaporation of the bulk droplet.

Also Read: Chief Ministers Inform PM Modi About Preparations Being Taken By Their States To Tackle Surge Of COVID-19 Cases

The ability to predict the survival of the novel coronavirus on different surfaces can help prevent and contain the spread of COVID-19, the researchers said. While the typical respiratory droplets dry within seconds, the survival time of the SARS-CoV-2 virus on different surfaces within recent experiments has been found to be on the order of hours, they said.

This discrepancy suggests an orders of magnitude difference in the time between droplet drying and the survival time of the COVID-19 virus on surfaces, according to the researchers. The researchers described how a nanometres-thick liquid film clings to the surface, due to London-van der Waals forces, which allows the COVID-19 virus to survive for hours.

Van der Waals forces include attraction and repulsions between atoms, molecules, and surfaces, as well as other intermolecular forces.

Our model for the thin film transport shows that survival or drying time of a thin liquid film on a surface is on the order of hours and days, similar to what has been observed in measurements of the virus titer. It captures the relatively longer survival time on plastic and glass compared to metals, said Amit Agrawal, professor at Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay.

Also Read: Government Will Get COVID-19 Vaccine At Rs. 250; 100 Million Doses By January, Serum Institute’s Adar Poonawalla On Oxford Vaccine

A titer is the lowest concentration of virus that still infects cells. The nanometric film is assumed to be like a pancake deposited onto a surface. The researchers briefly examined changes in drying time as a function of contact angle and surface type.

Our biggest surprise was that the drying time of this nanometric film is on the order of hours. It suggests the surface isn’t completely dry, and the slowly evaporating nanometric film is providing the medium required for the survival of the coronavirus, said Rajneesh Bhardwaj, a professor at IIT Bombay.

Since a longer survival time of the virus corresponds to increased chances of being infected, the researchers said it is desirable to disinfect frequently touched surfaces, such as door handles or hand-held devices, and within hospitals and other areas prone to outbreaks.

We also recommend heating surfaces, because even short duration high temperatures, at which the surface is at a higher temperature than the ambient, can help evaporate the nanometric film and destroy the virus, Mr. Bhardwaj added.

Also Read: Will Have To Wait For Final Words In A Scientific Journal: CSIR Chief On Oxford’s COVID-19 Vaccine’s Efficacy

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

NDTV – Dettol Banega Swasth India campaign is an extension of the five-year-old Banega Swachh India initiative helmed by Campaign Ambassador Amitabh Bachchan. It aims to spread awareness about critical health issues facing the country. In wake of the current COVID-19 pandemic, the need for WASH (WaterSanitation and Hygiene) is reaffirmed as handwashing is one of the ways to prevent Coronavirus infection and other diseases. The campaign highlights the importance of nutrition and healthcare for women and children to prevent maternal and child mortality, fight malnutrition, stunting, wasting, anaemia and disease prevention through vaccines. Importance of programmes like Public Distribution System (PDS), Mid-day Meal Scheme, POSHAN Abhiyan and the role of Aganwadis and ASHA workers are also covered. Only a Swachh or clean India where toilets are used and open defecation free (ODF) status achieved as part of the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2014, can eradicate diseases like diahorrea and become a Swasth or healthy India. The campaign will continue to cover issues like air pollutionwaste managementplastic banmanual scavenging and sanitation workers and menstrual hygiene

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