Melbourne researchers have found that liquid chalk, commonly used in gyms to improve grip, acts as an antiseptic against highly infectious human viruses, completely killing both SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) and influenza A viruses.
University of Melbourne Professor Jason Mackenzie, a laboratory head at the Peter Doherty Institute of Infection and Immunity (Doherty Institute) wanted to investigate whether liquid chalk stopped SARS-CoV-2 transmission after conversations with his daughter – an elite rock climber heading to the Tokyo Olympics.
“Both of my daughters were lamenting the closure of gyms at the beginning of the pandemic, particularly my daughter Oceania who was trying to train for Olympic qualification,” Professor Mackenzie said.
“There was an assumption that liquid chalk could act as an antiseptic as it has a really high alcohol content, but until now, there was no scientific evidence to support it.
“So we tested the theory against SARS-CoV-2, influenza A viruses and norovirus and we have shown that liquid chalk is very effective against both SARS-CoV-2 and influenza, both in transmission and recovery of the virus.”
doherty.edu.au/news-events/...
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