Helping to reduce Covid contamination

Recent studies have found that infectious particles remain active for shorter periods of time on Planibel Easy from AGC Glass Europe, which has been exposed to sunlight, when compared to other glass products.

Respiratory droplets and aerosols contaminated with Sars-CoV-2 viral particles represent a risk of indirect transmission of Covid. Infectious droplets on surfaces see their viral infectiousness decrease with time, depending on the type of material and temperature.

A study published in the Coatings Journal with support from AGC was carried out on different materials, ranging from metallic materials to float glass, acrylic glass (such as Plexiglas and Perspex) and coated glass (Planibel Easy).

The result shows the time taken for the number of infectious viral particles to decrease, and demonstrates that Sars-CoV-2 viral particles stay active for a shorter time on Planibel Easy coated glass previously exposed to daylight.

The study was carried out by the University of Namur (Belgium) in an experimental setting that mimicked real-life conditions. The study used real human Sars-Co-2 viral particles at same concentration as the actual viral load observed in a cohort of patients infected with Covid.

The time needed to inactivate 90% of the Sars-Cov-2 viral particles is 37.5% shorter for Planibel Easy exposed to daylight than for float glass or acrylic glass. This means that using Planibel Easy greatly reduces the risk of viral transmission when we touch the surface.

“This makes Planibel Easy the appropriate choice for windows, partition walls, doors and a wide variety of shared or frequently touched surfaces, for instance in commercial and public buildings, public transport, hospitals, schools, sports facilities, leisure facilities, the hospitality industry and so on,” AGC Glass Europe said.

“AGC and the university research teams wanted to find a quick and effective solution against the spread of the coronavirus. By disclosing the first results of this research on an existing product, AGC allows innovative glass processors to offer solutions at a reasonable cost, to move forward together towards a better and safer future.”

Planibel Easy can be combined in double glazing with other AGC products such as low-e glass. Resistant to corrosion and chemical damage, Planibel Easy can be delivered in toughened, laminated, bent and processed forms, and in insulating double or triple glazing.

www.agc-yourglass.com