Rapid in vitro virucidal activity of slightly acidic hypochlorous acid water toward aerosolized coronavirus in simulated human-dispersed droplets.

The virucidal activities were evaluated by spraying slightly acidic hypochlorous acid waters (SAHWs) containing various concentrations of free available chlorine - 100, 200, 300 and 500 ppm (SAHW-100, -200, -300 and -500, respectively) - toward aerosol of an avian coronavirus (infectious bronchitis virus: IBV). The viral solution was supplemented with 0.5% fetal bovine serum (FBS) to simulate normal human droplets generated by sneezing or coughing in a real-life scenario. The virus containing 0.5% FBS was sprayed and exposed to SAHWs for a few seconds in a closed chamber, before reaching the air sampler. The results showed that IBV exposed to SAHW-100 and -200 for a few seconds decreased by 0.21 log10 and 0.80 log10, respectively, compared to the pre-exposed samples to SAHWs as controls. On the other hand, reductions of 1.16 log10 and 1.67 log10 were achieved following the exposure to SAHW-300 and -500, respectively, within a few seconds. These results suggest that SAHWs have rapid in vitro virucidal activity toward aerosolized IBV. The findings obtained for IBV might basically be applicable in relation to SARS-CoV-2, given the resemblance between the two viruses. To prevent human-to-human transmissions by aerosols, the inactivation of viruses in the air by exposure to SAHWs for a few seconds seems to be an effective way.

Virucidal activity of slightly acidic hypochlorous acid water toward influenza virus and coronavirus with tests simulating practical usage.

Slightly acidic hypochlorous acid waters (SAHWs) with pH of 5.2-5.8 containing different concentrations of free available chlorine - 62, 119, 220, 300, and 540 ppm (SAHW-62, -119, -220, -300, and -540, respectively) - were evaluated for their virucidal activity toward a low pathogenic H7N1 avian influenza virus (AIV) and an infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) in suspension, abiotic carrier, and direct spray tests, with the presence of organic materials. In the carrier test, the dropping and wiping techniques were performed toward viruses on carriers. In the suspension test, SAHW-62 could decrease the viral titer of both AIV and IBV by more than 1000 times within 30 s. With the dropping technique, IBV on carriers showed high resistance to SAHW, while AIV on plastic carrier was inactivated to an effective level (≧3 log virus reduction) within 1 min. With the wiping technique, SAHW-62 could inactivate both AIV and IBV on wiped plastic carriers to an effective level within 30 s. However, SAHW-220 could not inactivate IBV in the wiping rayon sheet to an effective level. In the direct spray test, sprayed SAHW-300 within 10 min, and SAHW-540 within 20 min, inactivated AIV and IBV on the rayon sheets to undetectable level, respectively. Our study indicates that the usage of wipes with SAHW could remove viruses from plastic carriers, while viruses remained in the wipes. Besides, a small volume of sprayed SAHW was effective against the viruses on the rayon sheets for daily cleaning in the application area. The findings we obtained concerning IBV might basically be applicable in relation to SARS-CoV-2, given the resemblance between the two viruses.