Rapid Inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 with Ozonated Water

ABSTRACT Although ozonated water is one of the promising candidates for hand hygiene to prevent fomite infection, the detailed effects of ozonated water on SARS-CoV-2 have not been clarified. We evaluated the inactivating effect of ozonated water against SARS-CoV-2 by its concentration and exposure time. The reduction rates of virus titer after 5 sec treatment with ozone concentrations of 1, 4, 7, and 10 mg/L were 81.4%, 93.2%, 96.6%, and 96.6%, respectively. No further decrease in virus titer was observed by the extended exposure time over 5 sec. High-concentration ozonated water, such as more than 7 mg/L, was considered to be effective in promptly inactivating SARS-CoV-2 virus in aqueous solution.