Disinfection and decontamination in the context of SARS‐CoV‐2‐specific data

Abstract

Given the high transmissibility of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) as witnessed early in the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic, concerns arose with the existing methods for virus disinfection and decontamination. The need for SARS‐CoV‐2‐specific data stimulated considerable research in this regard. Overall, SARS‐CoV‐2 is practically and equally susceptible to approaches for disinfection and decontamination that have been previously found for other human or animal coronaviruses. The latter have included techniques utilizing temperature modulation, pH extremes, irradiation, and chemical treatments. These physicochemical methods are a necessary adjunct to other prevention strategies, given the environmental and patient surface ubiquity of the virus. Classic studies of disinfection have also allowed for extrapolation to the eradication of the virus on human mucosal surfaces by some chemical means. Despite considerable laboratory study, practical field assessments are generally lacking and need to be encouraged to confirm the correlation of interventions with viral eradication and infection prevention. Transparency in the constitution and use of any method or chemical is also essential to furthering practical applications.