Environmental concern regarding the effect of humidity and temperature on 2019-nCoV survival: fact or fiction

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Harmooshi N. N., Shirbandi K., RAHIM F.

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH, vol.27, no.29, pp.36027-36036, 2020 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Review
  • Volume: 27 Issue: 29
  • Publication Date: 2020
  • Doi Number: 10.1007/s11356-020-09733-w
  • Journal Name: ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, IBZ Online, ABI/INFORM, Aerospace Database, Agricultural & Environmental Science Database, Aqualine, Aquatic Science & Fisheries Abstracts (ASFA), BIOSIS, CAB Abstracts, EMBASE, Environment Index, Geobase, MEDLINE, Pollution Abstracts, Veterinary Science Database, Civil Engineering Abstracts
  • Page Numbers: pp.36027-36036
  • Kocaeli University Affiliated: No

Abstract

The new coronavirus, called 2019-nCoV, is a new type of virus that was first identified in Wuhan, China, in December2019.Environmental conditions necessary for survival and spread of 2019-nCoV are somewhat transparent but unlike animal coronaviruses. We are poorly aware of their survival in environment and precise factors of their transmission. Countries located in east and west of globe did not have a significant impact on prevalence of disease among communities, and on the other hand, north and south have provided a model for relative prediction of disease outbreaks. The 2019-nCoV can survive for up to 9 days at 25 degrees C, and if this temperature rises to 30 degrees C, its lifespan will be shorter. The 2019-nCoV is sensitive to humidity, and lifespan of viruses in 50% humidity is longer than that of 30%. Also, temperature and humidity are important factors influencing the COVID-19 mortality rate and may facilitate 2019-nCoV transmission. Thus, considering the available and recent evidence, it seems that low temperatures, as well as dry and unventilated air, may affect stability and transmissibility of 2019-nCoV.