Copper-Impregnated Three-Dimensional Mask Efficiently Inactivates SARS-CoV-2

Abstract

Background: The antiviral properties of copper compounds have attracted interest among research communities amidst the recent SARS-CoV-2 global pandemic. Here we fabricated a multilayer face mask impregnated with a copper substance and demonstrated significant time- and dose-dependent virucidal activity upon contact exposure to mask fabric. This study investigated the effectiveness of copper-impregnated mask material for efficient inactivation of highly contagious SARS-CoV-2 using in vitro models, and found it to be a potential strategy for mitigating the social burden caused by the current pandemic. Methods: SARS-CoV-2 was inoculated at a multiplicity of infection (MOI) of 0.1 onto three layered mask fabrics impregnated with 22%, or 49%, and 60% copper coated monolayered mask fabrics for 30 min, 1 h, and 2 h. After incubation, mask fabric was thoroughly washed and the level of viral inhibition was evaluated by in vitro cytopathy measurements, fluorescent microscopy, and viral copy number by qRT-PCR. Findings: After 3 DPI of post-infection, cells in the 0% copper-impregnated material treatment exhibited 100% cell destruction whereas the non-infected control cells were completely intact with no cytopathy. The highest level of viral inactivation was exhibited by the 22% copper-impregnated three-layer fabric which resulted in approximately 90% protection, whereas the 49% and 60% copper coated monolayer material resulted in approximately 70% inhibition of the virus on cytopathy, immunofluorescence, and RT-PCR-based viral copy number assessment. Interpretation: A copper-impregnated three-layer mask efficiently inactivated SARS-CoV-2 upon sustained contact, and can be used as a means to prevent accidental infections due to handling of contaminated masks. Funding Statement: This research was supported by Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Education (2019R1A6A1A03033084) and LSK Finetex Co. Ltd, Goyang-Si, Gyeonggi-Do, Korea. Declaration of Interests: Authors declare that they have no conflict of interest, and all authors have agreed and approved the final manuscript. Ethics Approval Statement: All experiments using SARS-CoV-2 were performed in Korea Zoonosis Research Institute at Jeonbuk National University using enhanced biosafety level 3 (BSL3) containment procedures in KCDC approved laboratories.