Inactivation of rotavirus by new polymeric water disinfectants

Two new insoluble polymeric materials were evaluated for their efficacies in inactivating rotavirus in flowing water in a biocidal filler application. The two polymers are N-chloro and N-bromo derivatives of a poly-styrene hydantoin prepared from commercial poly-styrene, The studies were conducted for rotavirus in halogen demand-free water at pH 7.0, 25 degrees C and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Test Water no. 2 at pH 9.0, 4 degrees C which contained heavy halogen demand. The range of flow rates studied was 0.16-1.22 ml s(-1) corresponding to contact times in the range of 4-24 s. Both of the polymers were effective in inactivating rotavirus, the N-bromo deravative providing a 4-6 log reduction under the test conditions. The materials may be useful as supplemental filters for hand-held water purification units. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.