Effect of Relative Humidity on Coronavirus Survival on Surfaces in production and office areas. Workplace health and safety.

A few years ago, during the epidemic of SARS coronavirus, the group of American scientists from American Society for Microbiology performed very interesting research “Effects of Air Temperature and Relative Humidity on Coronavirus Survival on Surfaces”.

SARS-CoV has even more aggressive behaviour than COVID 19, so this research is still valid and presents huge importance for H&S and Production teams. The tests were performed in wide range of Related Humidity (RH ) levels (20 to 60% RH) typical at office and production floor environments. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to assess the effects of Temperature, RH, time, and virus type on viral inactivation at the level of each individual measurement.

The main conclusion is that – the Highest rate of virus inactivation was observed at 50% RH. The 50% Related Humidity is the best not only for printing processes, but also for reducing Coronavirus survival on surfaces in production floor and office environment.

Link to full research and all results https://aem.asm.org/content/76/9/2712