Multimedia Gallery
Rapid Response COVID-19Monitoring SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater
This study is looking at whether virus outbreaks can be caught early by monitoring wastewater treatment facilities. The researchers are also studying how SARS-CoV-2 is transferred from surfaces to skin and the impact of solar and UV radiation on the virus. Despite intensive study of SARS and MERS, we still lack a fundamental understanding of coronavirus behavior in the environment. Most importantly, we do not know how coronavirus spreads and how long it remains infectious when exposed to sunlight. The interview is with the lead researcher Krista Wigginton, an engineering professor at the University of Michigan, and Karl Rockne, a program director in NSF's Engineering Directorate.
Credit: National Science Foundation
Images and other media in the National Science Foundation Multimedia Gallery are available for use in print and electronic material by NSF employees, members of the media, university staff, teachers and the general public. All media in the gallery are intended for personal, educational and nonprofit/non-commercial use only.
Images credited to the National Science Foundation, a federal agency, are in the public domain. The images were created by employees of the United States Government as part of their official duties or prepared by contractors as "works for hire" for NSF. You may freely use NSF-credited images and, at your discretion, credit NSF with a "Courtesy: National Science Foundation" notation.
Additional information about general usage can be found in Conditions.