How long does it remain on surfaces and which is the most dangerous?

A recent scientific study revealed that the length of time viruses live on surfaces is not the only factor determining the risk of infection. Rather, the nature of the surface and temperature play a decisive role in determining the ability of the virus to cause infection.

The study, led by Dr. C. Brandon Ogbogafor at Yale University, tested two known viruses in the laboratory on common materials such as copper, plastic and steel, at temperatures that mimic everyday indoor environments and the human body.

Instead of tracking human-to-human transmission, researchers focused on the fate of the virus after it settled on a surface.

The team used viruses that infect bacteria, known as phages, which allowed the physical effect of surfaces and heat to be isolated without interference from human behavior or the immune system. It has been shown that some surfaces allow the virus to survive, but at the same time impair its ability to subsequently replicate within the host.

The results showed that copper, especially at relatively high temperatures (about 37°C), was most effective in rapidly destroying viruses, as they lost their infectivity within minutes.

In contrast, plastic and steel surfaces showed longer survival of viruses, especially at lower temperatures, which explains why colder environments are more at risk of indirect transmission.

But surprisingly, some viruses that appeared weak on surfaces regained their ability to reproduce vigorously when they reached new cells, which means that survival and danger are not two sides of the same coin.

The study, published on the bioRxiv platform, highlights that assessing the risk of infection via surfaces must go beyond the question: “How long does the virus live?” To understand how surface and temperature interact, which may impact building design, cleaning strategies, and pandemic management in the future.