The
Coronavirus and Your Stone Countertops
By
Frederick M. Hueston
stoneforensics.com
The
entire world is in a panic over the new coronavirus, and as a stone expert, my
phone is ringing off the hook with questions. Can the coronavirus survive on my
stone countertop? If so, for how long? What do I use on my stone to properly
kill the virus?
As
of this writing, there are many unknown facts about the coronavirus, however,
there are several studies that have looked at these questions in the past. One such
study was recently published in The Journal of Hospital Infections entitled Persistence
of coronaviruses on inanimate surfaces and their inactivation with biocidal
agents. Following is a brief summary of this research.
How
long can the coronavirus survive on stone surfaces?
The
short answer is, we don’t know, however similar viruses, such as SARS and MERS,
can survive for up to 9 days. The common flu virus can last up to 48 hours on a
stone surface. Additional studies have shown that the virus can last for over a
week but seems to have a shorter lifespan at temperatures over 86 degrees F. Of
course, stone surfaces would rarely reach those high temperatures in an average
kitchen environment.
Can
you get the coronavirus by touching a contaminated stone countertop?
Again,
there is not enough information or studies that confirm that the coronavirus
acts similar to other viruses, however, some studies are showing that the virus
can be killed with standard household disinfectants. One study showed that
disinfectants with 62-71% ethanol, 0.5% hydrogen peroxide or 0.1% sodium hypochlorite
(bleach) can inactivate the coronavirus within a minute. Although the study
shows that the coronavirus is similar to SARS, it is not yet clear if the
coronavirus will act the same as SARS. So, can you get the virus by touching a
contaminated stone surface? According to The Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC), touching a surface is not believed to be the main way the
virus is transferred. The most likely way it is spread is from person to person
from coughs and sneezing.
How
do you properly disinfect your stone surface to kill the coronavirus?
Currently,
it is believed that most household disinfectants can kill the virus, however, I
have discovered that many people do not know how to properly use these
sanitizing solutions. Many people will spray and immediately wipe a
disinfectant. This method will not kill the virus. The disinfectant should be
allowed to dwell on the countertop for 3-5 minutes to be effective. You can
also make your own disinfectant by mixing one half rubbing alcohol with one
half water. Spray the disinfectant on the countertop and thoroughly wet the
surface. Allow the solution to sit for 3-5 minutes. Rinse with clean water and
then dry with a microfiber cloth.
The
best advise is to keep your stone countertop clean is by following these simple
steps.
To
keep your granite in tip-top condition, a few simple maintenance procedures are
necessary. For best results, they should be followed very closely.
1.
Clean the countertop daily with a soft white cloth and a neutral cleaner or
stone soap. These products are available at most stone and tile suppliers.
2.
It may be necessary to buff the countertop with a clean white terry cloth towel
if streaking occurs.
3.
Once a week, clean with a disinfectant
4.
All granite countertops should be sealed.
5.
If the countertop becomes stained, immediately blot the spill with a clean
paper towel.
According
to the World Health Organization (WHO) the best way to avoid the coronavirus is
to:
1.
Wash your hands
frequently. Regularly and thoroughly clean your hands
with an alcohol-based hand rub or wash them with soap and water.
2.
Maintain social
distancing. Maintain at least 1 meter (3 feet) distance
between yourself and anyone who is coughing or sneezing.
3.
Avoid touching eyes,
nose and mouth. Hands touch many surfaces and can pick up
viruses. Once contaminated, hands can transfer the virus to your eyes, nose or
mouth. From there, the virus can enter your body and can make you sick.
4.
Practice respiratory
hygiene. Make sure you and the people around you,
follow good respiratory hygiene. This means covering your mouth and nose with
your bent elbow or tissue when you cough or sneeze. Then dispose of the used
tissue immediately.
5.
If you have fever,
cough and difficulty breathing, seek medical care early. Stay home if you feel unwell. If you have a fever, cough
and difficulty breathing, seek medical attention and call in advance. Follow
the directions of your local health authority.
A Final
Word
As the coronavirus
spreads, there is sure to be misinformation on how it spreads. The best way to
the truth is to keep an eye on the CDC and WHO websites as well as your local health
department.
References
1.The Journal of Hospital Infection; Persistence of
coronaviruses on inanimate surfaces and their inactivation with biocidal agents;
G.
Kampfa,∗,Correspondence information about the author
G. Kampf; D. Todtb; S. Pfaenderb; E. Steinmannb
2. World Health Organization-https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public
3. The Center for Disease Control and
Prevention- https://www.cdc.gov/
No comments:
Post a Comment