For most respiratory and diarrheal pathogens like virus and bacteria according to Lab studies have found that the virus and bacteria may last on different materials for varying amounts of time. We don’t know if these findings always apply in the real world, but we can use them as a guideline.
(https://www.webmd.com/covid/how-long-covid-19-lives-on-surfaces)
| Material | Examples | Virus/Bacteria Survival Time |
|---|---|---|
| Metal | Doorknobs, jewelry, silverware | 5–9 days |
| Wood | Furniture, decking | 4 days |
| Plastic | Milk bottles, seats, elevator buttons | 2–3 days |
| Stainless Steel | Pots, fridges, sinks, water bottles | 2–3 days |
| Cardboard | Shipping boxes | 24 hours |
| Copper | Pennies, cookware | 4 hours |
| Aluminum | Soda cans, tinfoil, bottles | 2–8 hours |
| Glass | Mirrors, windows, drinking glasses | Up to 5 days |
| Ceramic | Dishes, pottery, mugs | 5 days |
| Paper | Newspaper, mail | A few minutes to 5 days (varies by virus strain) |
| Food | Takeout, produce | No known transmission via food |
| Water | Drinking water | No detection in treated water supply |
| Fabric | Clothes, linens | Likely less than hard surfaces; data limited |
| Shoes | Soles (e.g., ICU staff shoes) | Can carry viral particles (not live virus) |
Symptoms of mold exposure
Having mold in your home won’t necessarily make you sick, but it does have the potential to cause certain health issues.
Touching or inhaling mold spores can cause allergy-like symptoms such as:
- runny nose and congestion
- eye irritation
- sneezing
- coughing
- sore throat
- skin rash
- headache
- lung irritation
- wheezing
Mold in house
Mold can be black, white, spotted, or just about any color. It may appear powdery, cottony, or velvety.
If you notice a spot and aren’t sure if it’s just an old stain or a splotch of dirt, here’s how to tell if it could be a sign of a mold problem:
- It has a musty, earthy smell.
- There’s a nearby source of moisture, but not much light.
- You see warping, cracking, or peeling of whatever material it’s growing on.
- A drop of bleach lightens its color in a minute or two.
- Unchecked mold will continue to grow. Dirt and old stains won’t.
You may be at a higher risk of these illnesses if you have conditions such as:
- asthma
- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
- sarcoidosis
- compromised immune system, including people who take corticosteroids or have HIV
- cystic fibrosis
- tuberculosis
Diarrheal pathogen:
According to the NHS, germs like E.Coli and salmonella can survive for as long as four hours. Remember Staphylococcus Aureus, the germ responsible for staph infections? Well, this germ can survive for days or weeks, that should motivate you to keep that bathroom clean.
Use facts from the publication from the link below:
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