Science Inventory

Inactivation of MS2 bacteriophage on copper film deployed in high touch areas of a public transport system

Citation:

Monge, M., A. Abdel-Hady, Lola Aslett, Michael Calfee, B. Williams, K. Ratliff, S. Ryan, L. Oudejans, AND A. Touati. Inactivation of MS2 bacteriophage on copper film deployed in high touch areas of a public transport system. Letters in Applied Microbiology. Blackwell Publishing, Malden, MA, 74(3):405-410, (2022). https://doi.org/10.1111/lam.13624

Impact/Purpose:

Summary of testing conducted to support LA Metro's evaluation of antimicrobial copper film. Data will be published in journal to support advancement of the science and communication of results to the scientific and transport community.

Description:

Although SARS-CoV-2 is primarily an airborne risk, the COVID-19 pandemic also highlighted the need for self-disinfection surfaces that could withstand the demand of high occupant densities characteristic of public transportation systems. The aim of this study was to evaluate the durability and antiviral activity of a copper film deployed for 90 days in two high touch locations within an active metropolitan bus and railcar. The antiviral efficacy of this copper film after being deployed in transit vehicles for 90 days (deployed copper film) was then compared to new (unused) copper film to determine if frequent touches and cleaning protocols could decrease the efficacy of the copper films. Deployed copper film, new copper film, and aluminum foil (positive control) coupons were inoculated with ~1 × 106 MS2 virus particles, allowed a contact time of either 5- or 10-minutes, and analyzed for residual viral infectiousness. On both new and deployed copper films, MS2 was completely inactivated (≥ 5 log reduction) at both time points. These results suggest that the copper film may provide the durability demanded by high touch public spaces while maintaining the antiviral activity necessary to reduce exposure risk and viral transmission via surfaces in public transportation settings.