COVID-19 Research
EPA researchers are building on an expansive body of world-class research by applying that knowledge to reduce the risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. This research will help states, tribes, local, and territorial governments, including public health agencies, guide homeowners, business owners, and workplace managers to reduce the risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2.
Research Topics
Aerosols
- Modeling transport of viral aerosols in an office setting
- Modeling transport of viral aerosols in mass transit
- Evaluating pesticide devices and products
Community Exposure
- Monitoring virus levels in sewage
- Standardizing a method to assess virus in sewage
- Developing a salivary test to assess community exposure
Surfaces
- Evaluating residual antimicrobial coatings
- Developing a rapid viability-reverse transcriptase PCR method
- Evaluating alternative disinfection devices
- Evaluating effectiveness of electrostatic sprayers
Masks & PPE
Webinar Recordings
EPA held a series of webinars on its COVID-19 research results as part of its Emergency Response Research Webinar Series. Recordings of these webinars are below.
- COVID-19: Aerosol Treatment Devices & Ozone Disinfection (August 2021)
- COVID-19: Electrostatic Sprayers and Foggers for Disinfectant Application (July 2021)
- Reducing Environmental Exposure to SARS-CoV-2 - An Overview of Findings (June 2021)
- COVID-19: Cleaning & Disinfecting of PPE for Effective Reuse (April 2021)
- COVID-19 UV-C Devices and Methods for Surface Disinfection (January 2021)
- COVID-19 Long Lasting Disinfectants (August 2020)
- EPA Expands Research on COVID-19 in the Environment (May 2020)
Science Matters Stories
Evaluating Electrostatic Sprayers for Disinfectant Application
Evaluating SARS-CoV-2 in the Environment
Testing Effectiveness of Face Masks, Disinfection Methods Against COVID-19
Aerosol Transport and Mitigation Measures to Reduce COVID-19 Transmission
Assessing Virus Levels in Sewage for Community Level Screening