New Stainless Steel Alloy Kills Coronavirus Within Hours

A new form of stainless steel containing copper can kill the SARS-CoV-2 virus within hours, according to researchers in Hong Kong who developed the metal, Bloomberg reports.

The alloy can inactivate 99.75% of the virus within three hours, and 99.99% within six hours, according to a study published by researchers at the University of Hong Kong. The scientists are working with industrial companies to create products with the steel including elevator buttons, doorknobs, and handrails. If tests show these steel high-touch surfaces are effective against coronavirus and affordable to create, they could significantly reduce the labor and cost of regularly disinfecting public areas such as airports, train stations, movie theaters, and sports stadiums.

The antimicrobial properties of the alloy remain even if the surface is damaged. In addition to the coronavirus, the alloy is also effective at inactivating other pathogens including the H1N1 influenza A virus and E. coli bacteria.