Inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 in Water by Chlorination

Samendra Sherchan, Luisa A. Ikner, Charles P. Gerba

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is present in both respiratory secretions and feces, creating its potential for transmission by swimming pools. Recreational water activity is known to be at increased risk of respiratory infections and respiratory viruses have caused been detected and have caused outbreaks in swimming pools. However, little is known regarding the chlorine inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 in water typical of swimming pools in the USA. In this study, the inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 Isolate hCoV-19/USA-WA1/2020 was observed in water by chlorination. All experiments were conducted within a BSL-3 laboratory at room temperature. Our results show that the virus was reduced by 3.5 log (> 99.9%) after 30 s of 2.05-mg/L free chlorine contact and greater than 4.17 log (limit of detection) (> 99.99%) within 2 min.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)262-264
Number of pages3
JournalFood and Environmental Virology
Volume15
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2023

Keywords

  • COVID-19
  • Free chlorine
  • Inactivation
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Water treatment

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Epidemiology
  • Food Science
  • Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis
  • Virology

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