Acids help against airborne viruses

A new study by various Swiss universities shows that aerosols in indoor air can vary in acidity. This acidity determines how long viruses remain infectious in the air – with profound implications for virus transmission and strategies to contain it.

Ein älterer Mann hustet und stösst eine kleine Wolke von Schwebeteilchen aus.
Aerosols that are coughed up rapidly absorb gaseous acids from the air. This makes the suspended particles more acidic and inactivates viruses traveling in them. (Photograph: AdobeStock)
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