Assessment of SARS-CoV-2 Stability in human and environmental matrices, and potential hazards.

In the context of the ongoing pandemic of COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2 was detected in human excreta and environmental matrices. The occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 in environmental compartments raises questions on its fate and stability in these matrices and its potential to spread in the exposed communities. This review focused on the stability of the SARS-CoV-2 in human excreta, wastewater, soils, crops, and other environmental matrices, that may be reached through human excreta and sewage products spreading. Little is known about the persistence and survival of SARS-CoV-2 in the environment. Up to now sewage sludge, soil and crops are seldom investigated implying the convenience of considering future researches focusing on SARS-CoV-2 in soils receiving wastewater and sewage sludge, as well as on grown crops. Information regarding SARS-CoV-2 persistence in environmental media is crucial to establish and implement effective policies and measures for mitigating the transmission of COVID-19 and tackling eventual future outbreaks.

Occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 in excreta, sewage, and environment: epidemiological significance and potential risks.

The detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in patients' excreta raises the issue of its occurrence and fate in sewage. This review has focused on the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 in human excreta, wastewater, sewage sludge, and river waters. It explored the potential use of the wastewater-based epidemiology approach to report on the situation of current and eventual future SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks. The main concern of the occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 in the environment is the public health risks at sites of sewage products disposal and reuse, especially in low-income countries with inadequate sanitation, where direct discharge and reuse of raw sewage are common practices. The review also addressed the role sewage-irrigated agriculture can have in SARS-CoV-2 spread in the environmental compartments reached through sewage products application. An overview was made on the interest of sewage management, water safety, and hygienic practices for controlling the environmental dissemination of SARS-CoV-2.