Exploring What Lies Ahead in the Field of Disinfecting Coronavirus

Abstract

Recently, huge awareness has been accorded to potential circulation of SARS- CoV-2 through water systems. This work deals with this problem and researches the behavior of coronaviruses (CoVs) in water media, with specific interest on the new data on the fresh SARS-CoV-2. The examination of the natural persistence of CoVs and the performance of the disinfection technologies are also discussed. All CoVs have a restricted stability in water media: 2 - 5 days in tap water and 2 - 6 days in wastewater were judged enough for 2-log reduction of SARS-CoV-2 titer. SARS-CoV-2 is distinguished by a weak construction and is vulnerable to traditional disinfection technologies that have been demonstrated to be very efficient in their neutralization. Approximately 5 min of exposure to sodium hypochlorite (1%), ethanol (70%), iodine (7.5%), soap solution and additional usual disinfectants was enough for reaching 7 - 8-log of SARS-CoV-2 titer decrease. Thermal treatment is efficacious in SARS-CoV-2 demobilization: 30 min at 56 or 5 min at 70°C were enough for attaining the total depletion of the infectivity. Further, SARS-CoV-2 remains vulnerable to sunlight and quickly demobilized by UV radiation. UV-C at 254 nm and intensity of 2.2 mW/cm2 yields 3-log of SARS-CoV-2 titer decrease in less than 3 s of application. Consequently for SARS-CoV-2 disinfection, usual injections of killing agents remain required for sanitation and for wastewater treatment. Relating to controlling CoVs diffusion and applying disinfection technologies, vigilance remains essential.