[TAGS] Fwd: press release, Virus Undetectable on Five Common Library Materials After Three Days

Fri Jun 26 15:39:02 UTC 2020

Thanks Cheryl! 

The three-day period is consistent with earlier and more preliminary research done in Asia and in Europe. Low humidity (<30%) and temperatures above 30C (approx 90F) are also associated with somewhat faster decay of the virus on surfaces. However, as Battelle’s research indicates, the actual surface also plays a role in the virus’ longevity. Porous surfaces and soft surfaces are associated with somewhat longer survival of the virus, and hard, shiny surfaces are associated with somewhat faster decay of the virus.

This doesn’t mean that the virus is less dangerous in those critical three days, and it doesn’t necessarily mean that HVAC becomes a critical tool in controlling its spread.

Recent research done in China and reported by the US CDC indicates that asymptomatic individuals infected by the virus still leave viable virus deposits on surfaces, while air samples show no detectable levels of the virus. Symptomatic individuals leave virus deposits on surfaces and also introduce detectable levels of the virus into the surrounding atmosphere.

Face masks and hand washing remain our easiest and most certain means of defense against infection and spread.

_don

> On Jun 26, 2020, at 9:11 AM, Cheryl Fogle-Hatch via TAGS <tags at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> The press release that I forwarded below describes a research project
> about the amount of time that the covid-19 virus lives on common
> library materials. They give a project link with preliminary findings
> about paper and books, and a place to sign up for updates. It might be
> worth monitoring.
> 
> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: Institute of Museum and Library Services <imlsnews at imls.gov>
> Date: Mon, 22 Jun 2020 10:04:59 -0400 (EDT)
> Subject: Virus Undetectable on Five Common Library Materials After Three Days
> To: c.k.fogle at gmail.com
> 
> First results from the REALM Project by IMLS, OCLC, and Battelle
> released.  Research Shows Virus Undetectable on Five Highly Circulated
> Library Materials  After Three Days  Findings are Part of REALM
> Project to Produce Science-Based Information to Help Mitigate Exposure
> to Virus Washington, DC— In the first phase of a project to
> disseminate and develop science-based information about how materials
> can be handled to mitigate exposure to staff and visitors, scientists
> have found that the virus SARS-CoV-2 that causes COVID-19 is not
> detectable on five common library materials after three days.  The
> findings are part of the Reopening Archives, Libraries, and Museums
> (REALM) Project designed to generate scientific information to support
> the handling of core museum, library, and archival materials as these
> institutions begin to resume operations and reopen to the public. The
> first phase of the research is focusing on commonly found and
> frequently handled materials, especially in U.S. public libraries.
> Over the past few weeks, scientists at Battelle tested the virus on a
> variety of surfaces, in environments with standard temperature and
> relative humidity conditions typically found in air-conditioned office
> space. Materials tested in phase one included the cover of hardcover
> books (buckram cloth), the cover of softback books, plain paper pages
> inside a closed book, mylar protective book cover jackets, and plastic
> DVD cases. Battelle tests found the virus undetectable after one day
> on the covers of hardback and softback books as well as the DVD case.
> The virus was undetectable on the paper inside of a book and mylar
> book jackets after three days. “It’s below the limit of detection on
> our viability assay,” said Battelle Principal Research Scientist Will
> Richter. Lab testing of physical items followed literature reviews
> conducted by Battelle to help define the scope of the project’s
> research and the information needs of libraries, archives, and
> museums. Last week, the REALM Project released “Systematic Literature
> Review of SARS-CoV-2: Spread, Environmental Attenuation, Prevention,
> and Decontamination,” prepared by Battelle. This is an in-depth review
> of published literature on virus transmission, attenuation, and
> decontamination methods that can inform discussion and decisions about
> operations in archives, libraries, and museums.   “Scientific research
> is essential to answer questions about the spread of the coronavirus
> on materials that are ever-present in our nation’s libraries,
> archives, and museums,” said IMLS Director Crosby Kemper. “We
> recognized the need to test specific items and surfaces as these
> organizations are now reopening, asking: How can we mitigate risk to
> staff? How should patrons and visitors handle books, touchable
> exhibits, or DVD cases? Our aim was to equip America's libraries,
> archives, and museums with information to help them do what they do
> best: continue serving their communities. I am so pleased and hopeful
> that this critical work will be reaching the people who need it."
> “Results from this ongoing research project will help libraries,
> archives and museums plan with greater confidence at a difficult
> time,” said Skip Prichard, OCLC President and CEO. “Although there are
> various sources of general information about handling materials in the
> time of COVID-19, this project is designed specifically to test
> materials and provide useful science-based information to these
> institutions. Equipped with this critical information, they will be
> better able to determine measures they can take to mitigate exposure
> to staff and the communities they serve.”  “Any library worker would
> agree that people make good decisions when their decisions are based
> on facts and evidence,” said Nate Hill, Executive Director,
> Metropolitan New York Library Council and member of the REALM Project
> Steering Committee. “The output of the REALM Project, both the
> systematic literature review and the lab test results, give library
> workers the information they need to make practical, informed
> decisions as they reopen their spaces and resume their services.”
> Battelle will be initiating lab testing on an additional five
> materials this month, with results expected by the end of July.
> Examples of public library reopening plans are being collected,
> curated, and shared to the website this week. The research reports
> will inform development of toolkit resources, content, and programming
> that will help translate the findings for real-world applications in
> museums, libraries, and archives.  “As museums across the country
> draft their reopening plans, we know that our exhibitions and
> galleries contain a vast variety of materials that are not addressed
> in state and federal public health guidelines,” said Carole Charnow,
> President and Chief Executive Officer, Boston Children's Museum and
> member of the REALM Operations Working Group. “Therefore, we need up
> to date, science-based information specific to museums. For those of
> us that are hands-on, interactive institutions, this is especially
> critical. The REALM Project is providing the invaluable evidence-based
> information museum professionals need in order to ensure the highest
> possible standards of safety for our staff and visitors.”  The REALM
> Project is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services
> (IMLS), the primary source of federal funding for museums and
> libraries; and OCLC, a nonprofit library technology and research
> organization; in partnership with Battelle, a not-for-profit global
> scientific research and development organization.  Project updates are
> posted at oc.lc/realm-project as they become available. Those
> interested can also sign up through the project website to receive
> timely email updates when new information is released.     Click here
> to view this email online. About Battelle   Every day, the people of
> Battelle apply science and technology to solving what matters most. At
> major technology centers and national laboratories around the world,
> Battelle conducts research and development, designs and manufactures
> products, and delivers critical services for government and commercial
> customers. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio since its founding in 1929,
> Battelle serves the national security, health and life sciences, and
> energy and environmental industries. For more information, visit
> www.battelle.org.   About OCLC  OCLC is a nonprofit global library
> cooperative providing shared technology services, original research
> and community programs so that libraries can better fuel learning,
> research and innovation. Through OCLC, member libraries cooperatively
> produce and maintain WorldCat, a comprehensive global network of data
> about library collections and services. Libraries gain efficiencies
> through OCLC’s WorldShare, a complete set of library management
> applications and services built on an open, cloud-based platform. It
> is through collaboration and sharing of the world’s collected
> knowledge that libraries can help people find answers they need to
> solve problems. Together as OCLC, member libraries, staff and partners
> make breakthroughs possible. About the Institute of Museum and Library
> Services (IMLS) The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the
> primary source of federal support for the nation's libraries and
> museums. We advance, support, and empower America’s museums,
> libraries, and related organizations through grantmaking, research,
> and policy development. Our vision is a nation where museums and
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> 
> 
> -- 
> Cheryl Fogle-Hatch, Ph.D.
> Archaeologist and Museum Professional
> (443) 939-8217
> c.k.fogle at gmail.com
> https://museumsenses.org
> https://www.linkedin.com/pub/cheryl-fogle-hatch
> 
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