Coronavirus Persistence

Further, the research paper by Casanova et al. (2010)(91), showed that pathogenic enveloped corona viruses, such as SARS-CoV, or Covid-19, persisted for 5 to 28 days on stainless steel surfaces depending upon temperature, Log loading, and humidity.  In addition, it was reported by Moriarty et al. (2020)(92) and Yamagishi et al. (2020)(93), that the corona virus SARS-CoV-2 RNA was identified on a variety of surfaces in cabins of both symptomatic and asymptomatic infected passengers up to 17 days after cabins were vacated on the Diamond Princess but before disinfection procedures had been conducted.  Clearly, a need is present to completely eliminate dangerous pathogens, such as Corona viruses, that can persist for long periods of time on various room surfaces.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) refuses to stop fraudulent products and enforce various product claims under the United States Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), and the surface disinfection market has found itself in a “wild west” situation which is jeopardizing human life and health. Please have your microbiological lab challenge all microbiological and viral product claims to EPA and AOAC test standards, for all products claiming large area disinfection, sterilization, or decontamination, of surfaces in a treated space (including distant surfaces that are not horizontal, under toilet seats, and around corners in adjacent rooms).