REALM Project

REopening
Archives, Libraries,
and Museums

Research

The REALM project research includes two key components: reviews of the scientific literature and studies to provide information on how long the virus can survive on materials common to archives, libraries, and museums. Reviews of the scientific literature are designed to evaluate existing research about SARS-CoV-2  that may pertain to the materials, physical settings, and operations of these institutions. These areas of inquiry include how the virus is transmitted, how to mitigate its spread, and the impacts of vaccines and variants. 


Supporting documentation

All REALM project materials are published under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non-Commercial-Share Alike 4.0 license.

Most recent update

Research briefing: Ventilation

July 7, 2022

This research briefing, prepared by researchers at Battelle, is intended to provide timely information about the latest research on the effects of ventilation on the spread of COVID-19, to libraries, archives, museums, and their stakeholders. This is a review of scientific literature published from 1 January 2022 through 27 May 2022.

Past literature reviews and briefings

Research briefing: Vaccines, variants and ventilation

December 16, 2021

This research briefing from Battelle covers research published through November 29, 2021, on COVID-19 vaccines, SARS-CoV-2 variants, and ventilation that may help inform local decision-making. 

Research briefing: Vaccines, variants and ventilation

November 18, 2021

This briefing covers research published through November 1, 2021, on COVID-19 vaccines, SARS-CoV-2 variants, and ventilation that may help inform local decision-making. 

Updated research briefing: Vaccines, variants and ventilation

October 14, 2021

This briefing covers research published through September 27, 2021, on COVID-19 vaccines, SARS-CoV-2 variants, and ventilation that may help inform local decision-making.

Research briefing: Vaccines, variants and ventilation

September 23, 2021

This briefing covers research published through September 6, 2021, on COVID-19 vaccines, SARS-CoV-2 variants, and ventilation that may help inform local decision-making. 

Updated research briefing: Vaccines, variants and ventilation

September 2, 2021

This briefing covers research published through August 16, 2021, on COVID-19 vaccines, SARS-CoV-2 variants, and ventilation that may help inform local decision-making. 

August research briefing: Vaccines, variants and ventilation

August 12, 2021

This briefing covers research published through July 26, 2021, on COVID-19 vaccines, SARS-CoV-2 variants, and ventilation that may help inform local decision-making. 

Vaccines, variants and ventilation: research briefing

July 22, 2021

This briefing covers research published through July 5, 2021, on COVID-19 vaccines, SARS-CoV-2 variants, and ventilation that may help inform local decision making. 

See also: Key takeaways from the research briefings (visual aid)

July updated research briefing: Vaccines, variants and ventilation

July 1, 2021

This briefing covers research published through June 14, 2021, on COVID-19 vaccines, SARS-CoV-2 variants, and ventilation that may help inform local decision making. 

Updated research briefing: Vaccines, variants and ventilation

June 10, 2021

This briefing covers research published through May 17, 2021, on COVID-19 vaccines, SARS-CoV-2 variants, and ventilation that may help inform local decision making. 

Research briefing: Vaccines, variants and ventilation

May 20, 2021

This briefing covers research published through April 26, 2021, on COVID-19 vaccines, SARS-CoV-2 variants, and ventilation that may help inform local decision making. 

Research briefing: Vaccines and variants

April 20, 2021

This briefing covers research published through March 15, 2021 on COVID-19 vaccines and SARS-CoV-2 variants that may help inform local LAM decision making

Systematic literature review: Phase 3

March 5, 2021

This third systematic literature review summarizes research published through November 2020 on how the SARS-CoV-2 virus spreads, its survival on materials and surfaces, and the effectiveness of various prevention and decontamination measures.

See also: Key takeaways from Phase 2 and 3 literature reviews (visual aid)

Systematic literature review: Phase 2

October 14, 2020

This second systematic literature review summarizes research on SARS-CoV-2 published between mid-May and mid-August 2020 on how the virus spreads, the lifespan of of the virus on materials, and effectiveness of various prevention and decontamination measures.  

See also: Key takeaways from Phase 2 literature review (visual aid)

Systematic literature review: Phase 1

June 17, 2020

A detailed literature review exploring the scientific research on SARS-CoV-2 published through mid-May 2020.

Preliminary literature review: Phase 1

June 3, 2020

The information helps to set the context for the Battelle laboratory research conducted during Phases 1 and 2 of the REALM project.

 

 

Test plan

Test Plan for the Natural Attenuation of SARS-CoV-2 as a Decontamination Approach

June 3, 2020

Describes how the Battelle laboratory tested for the longevity of the COVID-19 virus on materials and how long it takes for the virus to naturally attenuate—essentially, how long the material needs to be left alone before the virus is undetectable.

REALM test results

As part of the REALM research, Battelle conducted eight natural attenuation studies to provide information on how long the SARS-CoV-2 virus may survive on materials common to archives, libraries, and museums. Below are the results of tests completed between June 2020 and February 2021.

Test 1 results

22 June 2020

Five items commonly found in public libraries, which are also in high circulation and expected to arrive back in public libraries in large volumes, were selected for Test 1. The materials were provided by Columbus Metropolitan Library.

Download Test 1 results

Download Test 1.1 and Test 1.2 raw data.

Test 1 results
Item Material Conditions Result
Hardback book cover Buckram book cover Testing was conducted by applying the virulent SARS-CoV-2 virus on five materials held at standard room temperature and humidity conditions. Items were laid flat. Results show that the SARS-CoV-2 virus was not detectable on the materials after three days of quarantine.
Softback book cover Trade paperback
Plain paper pages inside a closed book  --
Plastic book covering Biaxially oriented polyester film
DVD/CD case Polypropylene

Test 2 results

20 July 2020

Materials were provided by Columbus Metropolitan Library, the National Archives and Records Administration, and the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, Library of Congress.

Download Test 2 results

Download Test 2 raw data.

Item Material Conditions Result
Archival folders -- Stacked Results show that after two days of quarantine, the virus was not detectable on the archival folders. After four days of quarantine, the virus was not detectable on the braille pages, glossy book pages, and board book. The magazine showed a trace amount of virus at four days. Day four was the final timepoint tested.
Glossy pages As found in coffee table books Stacked
Children’s board book -- Stacked, tested inside the book
Braille paper -- Stacked
Magazine pages -- Stacked

Test 3 results

18 August 2020

For Test 3, five plastic-based items were selected. The materials were provided by Columbus Metropolitan Library, the National Archives and Records Administration, and the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled, Library of Congress.

Download Test 3 results

Download Test 3 raw data.

Item Material Conditions Result
DVD Polycarbonate Unstacked Results show that after five days of quarantine the virus was not detectable on the storage bag or the DVD. The storage container, plexiglass, and the USB cassette all showed recoverable virus at five days. Day five was the final timepoint tested.
Storage bag Flexible plastic: Low-density polyethylene (LDPE), recycling #4 Unstacked
USB cassette Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, specific blend Unstacked
Storage container Rigid plastic: High-density polyethylene (HDPE), recycling #2 Unstacked
Plexiglass Acrylic display cases and partitions Unstacked

Test 4 results

2 September 2020

Four of the five items in Test 4 are similar book materials to Test 1, but in Test 4, these items were stacked to simulate their common storage configuration in bins and book drops and on shelves. The fifth item, expanded polyethylene foam, has not been tested previously and was done so in open-air conditions.

A visual comparing the stacked to unstacked materials is available. 

Download Test 4 results

Download Test 4 raw data.

Item Material Conditions Result
DVD/CD case Polypropylene Stacked Results show that after six days of quarantine the SARS-CoV-2 virus was still detected on all five materials tested. When compared to Test 1, which resulted in nondetectable virus after three days on an unstacked hardcover book, softcover book, plastic protective cover, and DVD case, the results of Test 4 highlight the effect of stacking and its ability to prolong the survivability of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.
Hardcover book cover Buckram cloth Stacked
Softcover book cover Trade paperback Stacked
Plastic protective cover Biaxially oriented polyester film Stacked
Expanded polyethylene foam 1-inch thickness Unstacked, open air

Test 5 results

14 October 2020

For Test 5, four fabrics and leather—materials commonly used for bookbinding, upholstery, and crowd control—were selected. The materials were provided by the American Museum of National History, a private donation and through procurement from vendors.  

Download Test 5 results

Download Test 5 raw data.

Item Material Conditions Result
Leather book cover Leather (circa 1861) Unstacked Results show that after eight days of quarantine, SARS-CoV-2 virus was still detected on leather and synthetic leather materials. For the polyolefin fabric and nylon webbing, only the amount of virus after the initial 1 hour of drying time could be measured. No data for the cotton fabric could be collected or reported.
Synthetic leather Expanded polyvinyl chloride (PVC) Unstacked
Polyolefin fabric 100% polyolefin Unstacked
Cotton fabric 100% cotton Unstacked
Nylon webbing Nylon weave Unstacked

Test 6 results

19 November 2020

For Test 6, five materials commonly found in furnishings and exhibits of archives, libraries, and museums, were selected. The materials were provided by the National Park Service, Metropolitan New York Library Council, the Library of Congress and from vendors.

Download Test 6 results

Download Test 6 raw data.

Item Material Usage Result
Glass Glass Windows, doors, display cases Results show that after two days, SARS-CoV-2 virus was not detectable on the brass and marble. After six days, virus was not detected on the glass, laminate, and powder-coated steel.
Marble Danby marble Flooring, counters, columns
Laminate Laminate with particle board backing Countertops
Brass 260 brass Fixtures, railings
Powder-coated steel Powder-coated steel Lockers, shelving, book trucks, exhibit elements

Test 7 and 8 Results

11 February 2021

These tests compared the effect of colder and warmer temperatures on the attenuation rate of the virus on materials previously tested at ambient room temperatures.

Download Test 7-8 results

Download Test 7 raw data.

Download Test 8 raw data.

Item Material Conditions Result
Hardcover book cover Buckram cloth Stacked Results show that attenuation rates for materials held at the colder temperature were significantly slower compared to the warmer and ambient temperatures.
Softcover book cover Coated paper Stacked
Plastic protective cover Biaxially oriented polyester film Stacked
Expanded polyethylene foam 1-in. polyethylene foam Unstacked