Journal article
Stability of Aerosolized SARS-CoV-2 on Masks and Transfer to Skin
Environmental science & technology, Vol.57(28), pp.10193-10200
07/18/2023
DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c01581
PMCID: PMC10358342
PMID: 37399494
Abstract
The potential for masks to act as fomites in the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 has been suggested but not demonstrated experimentally or observationally. In this study, we aerosolized a suspension of SARS-CoV-2 in saliva and used a vacuum pump to pull the aerosol through six different types of masks. After 1 h at 28 °C and 80% RH, SARS-CoV-2 infectivity was not detectable on an N95 and surgical mask, was reduced by 0.7 log
on a nylon/spandex mask, and was unchanged on a polyester mask and two different cotton masks when recovered by elution in a buffer. SARS-CoV-2 RNA remained stable for 1 h on all masks. We pressed artificial skin against the contaminated masks and detected the transfer of viral RNA but no infectious virus to the skin. The potential for masks contaminated with SARS-CoV-2 in aerosols to act as fomites appears to be less than indicated by studies involving SARS-CoV-2 in very large droplets.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- Stability of Aerosolized SARS-CoV-2 on Masks and Transfer to Skin
- Creators
- Jin Pan - Virginia TechSelma Gmati - Virginia TechBryce A Roper - Virginia TechAaron J Prussin II - Virginia TechSeth A Hawks - Virginia–Maryland College of Veterinary MedicineAbby R Whittington - Virginia TechNisha K Duggal - Virginia–Maryland College of Veterinary MedicineLinsey C Marr - Virginia Tech
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Environmental science & technology, Vol.57(28), pp.10193-10200
- DOI
- 10.1021/acs.est.3c01581
- PMID
- 37399494
- PMCID
- PMC10358342
- NLM abbreviation
- Environ Sci Technol
- ISSN
- 0013-936X
- eISSN
- 1520-5851
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 07/18/2023
- Academic Unit
- Occupational and Environmental Health
- Record Identifier
- 9984787457302771
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