Disinfection of Contaminated Heritage Surfaces from SARS-CoV-2 Virus

Abstract

For the heritage sector the global pandemic has introduced unique challenges; with infectious viral particles persisting on some surfaces for days, people must be protected from objects as much as the objects need to be protected from people. Until recently information on persistence of the SARS-CoV-2 virus (which causes COVID-19) on different materials has been dispersed through the scientific literature, often with access limitations. Similarly it has been difficult to find information on how to disinfect heritage surfaces using methods which avoid the damage to the surface. Recent work by Historic England has collated information from Conservators and Microbiologists on the cleaning of viral particles from historic surfaces to combine the current information in one, accessible, place.

Keywords

• covid-19
• heritage
• disinfection
• persistence
• materials