There is really interesting research being done by Outbreaker Solutions in Canada, where researchers are looking into making door handles and other fixtures from impacted salt, because it has been found that viruses survive for a shorter time on salt than on many other surfaces.
Recent studies have proved that salt can kill influenza viruses and so Outbreaker is working on a new project to confirm that it can work on other viruses, including norovirus and SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
Read more here.
Here’s a guide to how long coronaviruses — the family of viruses that includes the one that causes COVID-19 — can live on some of the surfaces you probably touch every day.
Different Kinds of Surfaces
Metal
Examples: doorknobs, jewelry, silverware
5 days
Wood
Examples: furniture, decking
4 days
Plastics
Examples: milk containers and detergent bottles, subway and bus seats, backpacks, elevator buttons
2 to 3 days
Stainless steel
Examples: refrigerators, pots and pans, sinks, some water bottles
2 to 3 days
Cardboard
Examples: shipping boxes
24 hours
Copper
Examples: pennies, teakettles, cookware
4 hours
Aluminum
Examples: soda cans, tinfoil, water bottles
2 to 8 hours
Glass
Examples: drinking glasses, measuring cups, mirrors, windows
Up to 5 days
Ceramics
Examples: dishes, pottery, mugs
5 days
Paper
Examples: mail, newspaper
The length of time varies. Some strains of coronavirus live for only a few minutes on paper, while others live for up to 5 days.
(Ref: www.webmd.com)
