Contract testing conducted at The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), a part of the University of Alabama System, has shown two My-shield sanitizers are as effective as alcohol and are persistent in killing a COVID-19 surrogate virus. Testing at UAH and two other institutions has confirmed Zetrisil’s virus-killing capabilities.
“The Department of Biological Sciences at UAH is active in research to mitigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic,” says Dr. Paul Wolf, department chair. “Dr. Debra Moriarity’s research will lead to a better understanding of the specific properties of these cleaning agents, rather than using general purpose cleaners that have only been tested against bacteria.”
Dr. Moriarity, a professor emerita and retired Department of Biological Sciences chair, is conducting the tests in her lab at the UAH Shelby Center for Science and Technology. The research is the first antiviral laboratory testing done by UAH’s Department of Biological Sciences.
“Getting effective products tested and approved for use by EPA quickly could save lives, keep kids safer at school and get businesses functioning again.”
“Dr. Moriarity joins other UAH faculty who are working on COVID-19 testing and potential therapies, illustrating the active partnerships currently aimed at solving real world problems,” Dr. Wolf says.
Her tests found that treated surfaces continue to kill the virus within 10 minutes for up to 30 days after treatment. A test for 90-day killing efficacy is underway.
“I didn’t really want to go back to work after over a year of retirement, but after learning how effective the products had been against bacteria and other viruses it sounded like a good way to help provide products to battle COVID-19,” Dr. Moriarity says.
