Knowledge of the stability of pathogens in the environment is part of a comprehensive
biological risk assessment. The inherent nature of laboratory equipment and laboratory
procedures to create aerosolized droplets of infectious agents, with subsequent deposition
of these particles, provides opportunities to contaminate fomites such as laboratory
equipment and personal items. Vivaria create an increased level of virus amplification and
fomite contamination as the dried waste of virus-infected research animals can become
aerosolized, or transmitted through direct contact. This paper provides a review of
studies in which several species of virus have been allowed to dry on porous, or nonporous
substrates, and analyzed at timed intervals to determine the ranges over which these
viruses remain stable at room temperature as measured by their viability to infect cell
cultures or research animals. The research shows that some viruses retain viability for up
to a month or longer in the laboratory environment. This review will aid investigators and
biosafety professionals in both risk assessment as well as decontamination efforts.
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