Survival of SARS-CoV-2 on Clothing Materials

In order to plan and execute proper preventative measures against COVID-19, we need to understand how SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted. It has been shown to remain infectious on surfaces from hours to days depending on surface type and environmental factors. The possibility of transmission through fur anim...

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Main Authors: Jenni Virtanen, Kirsi Aaltonen, Ilkka Kivistö, Tarja Sironen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2021-01-01
Series:Advances in Virology
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/6623409
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author Jenni Virtanen
Kirsi Aaltonen
Ilkka Kivistö
Tarja Sironen
author_facet Jenni Virtanen
Kirsi Aaltonen
Ilkka Kivistö
Tarja Sironen
author_sort Jenni Virtanen
collection DOAJ
description In order to plan and execute proper preventative measures against COVID-19, we need to understand how SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted. It has been shown to remain infectious on surfaces from hours to days depending on surface type and environmental factors. The possibility of transmission through fur animals and contaminated pelts, along with the safety of those working with them, is a major concern. SARS-CoV-2 can infect minks and raccoon dogs and has spread to mink farms in numerous countries. Here, we studied the stability of SARS-CoV-2 on blue fox, Finn raccoon, and American mink pelt, fake fur, cotton, plastic, faux leather, and polyester and tested its inactivation by UV light and heat treatment. We detected infectious virus up to 5 days on plastic, up to 1 day on fake fur, less than a day on cotton, polyester, and faux leather, and even 10 days on mink fur. UV light failed to inactivate SARS-CoV-2 on pelts, most likely due to the mechanical protection by the fur. Hence, it should not be used to inactivate the virus on fur products, and its use for other surfaces should also be considered carefully. Heat treatment at 60°C for 1 h inactivated the virus on all surfaces and is a promising method to be applied in practice. This study helps prevent further spread of COVID-19 by increasing our understanding about risks of SARS-CoV-2 spread through contaminated clothing materials and giving important information needed to improve safety of those working in the production line as well as people using the products.
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spelling doaj-art-3a35cea8058f498c87c8ec6120b44fae2025-08-20T03:55:41ZengWileyAdvances in Virology1687-86391687-86472021-01-01202110.1155/2021/66234096623409Survival of SARS-CoV-2 on Clothing MaterialsJenni Virtanen0Kirsi Aaltonen1Ilkka Kivistö2Tarja Sironen3Department of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Agnes Sjöbergin Katu 2, Helsinki 00790, FinlandDepartment of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Agnes Sjöbergin Katu 2, Helsinki 00790, FinlandDepartment of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Agnes Sjöbergin Katu 2, Helsinki 00790, FinlandDepartment of Veterinary Biosciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Helsinki, Agnes Sjöbergin Katu 2, Helsinki 00790, FinlandIn order to plan and execute proper preventative measures against COVID-19, we need to understand how SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted. It has been shown to remain infectious on surfaces from hours to days depending on surface type and environmental factors. The possibility of transmission through fur animals and contaminated pelts, along with the safety of those working with them, is a major concern. SARS-CoV-2 can infect minks and raccoon dogs and has spread to mink farms in numerous countries. Here, we studied the stability of SARS-CoV-2 on blue fox, Finn raccoon, and American mink pelt, fake fur, cotton, plastic, faux leather, and polyester and tested its inactivation by UV light and heat treatment. We detected infectious virus up to 5 days on plastic, up to 1 day on fake fur, less than a day on cotton, polyester, and faux leather, and even 10 days on mink fur. UV light failed to inactivate SARS-CoV-2 on pelts, most likely due to the mechanical protection by the fur. Hence, it should not be used to inactivate the virus on fur products, and its use for other surfaces should also be considered carefully. Heat treatment at 60°C for 1 h inactivated the virus on all surfaces and is a promising method to be applied in practice. This study helps prevent further spread of COVID-19 by increasing our understanding about risks of SARS-CoV-2 spread through contaminated clothing materials and giving important information needed to improve safety of those working in the production line as well as people using the products.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/6623409
spellingShingle Jenni Virtanen
Kirsi Aaltonen
Ilkka Kivistö
Tarja Sironen
Survival of SARS-CoV-2 on Clothing Materials
Advances in Virology
title Survival of SARS-CoV-2 on Clothing Materials
title_full Survival of SARS-CoV-2 on Clothing Materials
title_fullStr Survival of SARS-CoV-2 on Clothing Materials
title_full_unstemmed Survival of SARS-CoV-2 on Clothing Materials
title_short Survival of SARS-CoV-2 on Clothing Materials
title_sort survival of sars cov 2 on clothing materials
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2021/6623409
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