How Microplastics Help Viruses Last Longer (and Migrate Further)

In short, viruses such as rotaviruses, responsible for gastroenteritis, attach themselves to plastic particles less than 5mm long and travel in water remaining active for at least 3 days, the scientists explain.

Drink the cup and catch a gastro

Scientists believe that this duration is enough for the viruses to pass from sewage to a public beach for example, especially since water treatment plants are unable to capture all microplastics. Given the size of these particles, the researchers point out that they can be swallowed by swimmers who drink the cup…

Depending on the viruses and their envelope, not all of them resist on microplastics. On the other hand, scientists want to go further than the 3 days of testing they have done so far, to find out how long a virus can survive on these particles. This is the first time that a study has analyzed how viruses behave in the real environment, said one of the researchers.

Sources :

• Binding, recovery, and infectiousness of enveloped and non-enveloped viruses associated with plastic pollution in surface water, Environmental Pollution.
• Viruses survive in fresh water by ‘hitchhiking’ on plastic, study finds, The Guardian, 27 juin 2022.

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