An exposure of less than one second to a temperature of 72°C would reduce the concentration of active virus in a solution. A way to improve the efficiency of air conditioning systems.
- An experiment has shown that exposing SARS-CoV-2 to a temperature of 72° deactivates this virus in less than a second
- This opens up avenues for improving decontamination or air conditioning devices
- In contrast, the coronavirus is insensitive to high temperatures such as those that humans can withstand.
It is an unbearable temperature for humans and deadly for Covid-19. A study from Texas A&M University shows that SARS-CoV-2 does not survive at 72°C. Their work, published in the journal Biotechnology and Bioengineering, prove that less than a second at such a temperature is needed to inactivate the coronavirus. This parameter is one of the main contributions of this new research, previously, other scientists had demonstrated that one to twenty minutes of exposure to a high temperature made it possible to obtain such results.
A massive reduction in the concentration of the virus
The study by the Texan researchers is based on an experiment: they heated a stainless steel tube to 72°C, in which they placed a solution containing coronavirus. They cooled it down immediately. “Using this rapid thermal process, the team found that the virus can be completely neutralized in a significantly shorter time than previously possible.“, they explain. In half a second at this temperature, the amount of virus in the solution was divided by 100,000.
A tool to fight against other viruses?
“The potential impact is enormous“, believes Arum Han, the director of this research. These results could be used to develop tools integrated in air conditioning, heating and all ventilation systems. But they are also potentially applicable to other viruses such as the flu. “The flu is less dangerous, but it kills every year, so if we can allow the development of an air purification system, it would be a huge stake“, he continues. All viruses in circulation in the air are targeted by researchers.
Hot countries, also victims of the virus
On the other hand, nothing indicates in this study that living in a hot country or exposing oneself to high temperatures protects against contamination by Covid-19. The virus is circulating all over the world. “According to the data available so far, the COVID-19 virus can be transmitted in all regions, including hot and humid areas“, remember the world health organization. As proof, India is severely affected by the epidemic, even though temperatures are generally above 30°C in the country.
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