I have been doing lots of literature search trying to answer this question, but I cannot find a straightforward answer, just plenty of references discussing how non-porous fomites become contagious with viruses more readiliy than porous ones.
Gerba's text book from 1982 (Applied and theoretical aspects of virus adsorption to surfaces) discusses the effects of virus and surface isoelectric points (pI), stating solids with high pI tend to adsorb viruses more effectively. However, stainless steel, a known fomite for many viruses only has a pI of 3-4, relatively low.
Can someone help me understand the mechanisms of virus transmisson/persistance on porous vs. non-porous fomites, or point me to a good reference?
Dear Nicolas Castano
Based on many research studies, one can conclude that virus's persistence period on surfaces is mainly related to virus type, type of surface (porous or non-porous) and environmental conditions mainly temperature and probably the relative humidity.
For one type of virus and the same environmental conditions, porous surfaces lead to more rapid drying by fast pulling moisture away from viruses that land on them, this mechanism may responsible for faster destruction of the viruses while on non-porous materials, the surfaces are water resistance and thus not promoting fast moisture drying away from viruses that land on them.
Best regards
Virus carrier fluids and solid surfaces (SS, Plastics, mucus) wettability characteristics, contact angle together , temperature, porosity and surface roughness are good fomite for various viruses
Consider the virus as a seed If it’s on any surface. In theory a virus only ‘lives’ in a living thing or host. A seed is viable and ready for the ‘right conditions’.
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