The influence of environmental conditions and hypochlorous acid (HOCl) fogging on the infectivity of H1N1 influenza virus
Author/Source: Kuan-Che Feng et al., Hygiene and Environmental Health Advances
Short Abstract
A comparison of the effects of environmental conditions and hypochlorous acid applied as an ultrasonically generated mist on populations of H1N1 influenza virus.
The results revealed significant survival of virus in a wide range of conditions of temperature (less than 45oC), dehydration, saline concentration (up to 5 Molar), pH (4 to 11), and most U.S. coinage surfaces.
Following HOCl exposure it was noted that virus particles shrank (from 140nm to 50nm) and lost all spike protein, making the viral particles incapable of infection. Virus levels were reduced by a log reduction value of at least -6. The authors stated that fogging with HOCl is an effective method of delivering disinfectants to large areas, achieving complete reduction of the viral load on both horizontal and vertical surfaces.