January 2022

Evaluation of environmental conditions as a decontamination approach for SARS-CoV-2 when applied to common library, archive and museum-related materials

by William R. Richter, Michelle M. Sunderman, Tom O. Mera, Kim A. O'Brien, Kendra Morgan, Sharon Streams

The REopening Archives, Libraries, and Museums (REALM) project has distributed science-based information to libraries, archives, and museums on the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and its variants, prevention and decontamination tactics, and COVID-19 vaccines as well as provided illustrative examples to aid institutions as they strive to mitigate COVID-19 exposure to staff and visitors. OCLC has partnered with The Institute of Museum and Library Services and Battelle to produce resources and research to support operational decision-making during the COVID-19 pandemic for libraries, archives, and museums.

As part of the REALM project, researchers at Battelle studied effects of ambient or altered environmental conditions on the inactivation of the SARS-CoV-2 virus applied to materials common to archives, libraries, and museums, including books, DVDs, file folders, glass, and plastic. The research found that the attenuation rate for materials held at colder temperatures was significantly slower compared to the attenuation rate at warmer and ambient temperatures. These findings showed that inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 is possible using prescribed environmental conditions and is a potential method of decontamination for items not compatible with common liquid disinfectants.

Results of that work have now been published in the Journal of Applied Microbiology.

Richter, William R., Michelle M. Sunderman, Tom O. Mera, Kim A. O'Brien, Kendra Morgan, Sharon Streams. 2022. Evaluation of environmental conditions as a decontamination approach for SARS-CoV-2 when applied to common library, archive and museum-related materials. Journal of Applied Microbiology. (30 January 2022): 1– 11. https://doi.org/10.1111/jam.15468.