Virus activity on architectural coatings
Researchers have taken a close look on the effects of ambient temperature and humidity on viruses activity on different architectural coatings.
The inactivation rates of non-encapsulated virus (MS2, φA039, enterovirus EV71) and enveloped virus (influenza A virus H3N2) on architectural coating with different porosity were measured at different temperatures and relative humidity (RH). To study the variation of virus activity on different architectural coating with temperature and humidity and provide reference for the control of indoor building surface virus. The inactivation rate of the virus on different surfaces was analysed at 15 °C, 25 °C, 35 °C and 45 °C and at RHs of 30 %, 60 %, and 90 % for 12 h or 24 h. Overall, the architectural porous coating is adsorbent to viruses.
Humidity and surface
Under low temperatures and high RH conditions (15 °C, 90 % RH), the viruses can survive longer on the surface of the architectural nonporous (few pores) coating. At low humidity, water can evaporate rapidly on the porous surface, which contributes to virus inactivation, especially for nonenveloped viruses. Architectural porous coating can absorb and retain more water, which reduces the impact of high temperature on the virus under high humidity conditions. The inactivation rate of H3N2 on porous surfaces decreased with the decrease of humidity.
The study has been published in Progress in Organic Coatings, Volume 183, October 2023.
