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How can airborne transmission of COVID-19 indoors be minimised?
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Authors
Morawska, Lidia
Tang, Julian W.
Bahnfleth, William
Bluyssen, Philomena M.
Boerstra, Atze
Buonanno, Giorgio
Cao, Junji
Dancer, Stephanie
Floto, Andres
Franchimon, Francesco
Date
Department
Queensland University of Technology
University of Leicester
Pennsylvania State University
Delft University of Technology
Federation of European Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Associations (REHVA)
University of Cassino and Southern Lazio
Chinese Academy of Sciences
Edinburgh Napier University
University of Cambridge
Franchimon ICM
ISSO, Kennisinstituut voor de installatiesector
Lund University
University of Colorado Boulder
Tallinn University of Technology
University of Hong Kong
Eindhoven University of Technology
University of New South Wales
Virginia Tech
Polytechnic University of Milan
Danmarks Tekniske Universitet
University of Maryland, College Park
University of California at Berkeley
Aalborg University
University of Leeds
Yale University
CSIC
National University of Singapore
Aalto University
Architectural Institute of Japan
McGill University
Peking University
University of Leicester
Pennsylvania State University
Delft University of Technology
Federation of European Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Associations (REHVA)
University of Cassino and Southern Lazio
Chinese Academy of Sciences
Edinburgh Napier University
University of Cambridge
Franchimon ICM
ISSO, Kennisinstituut voor de installatiesector
Lund University
University of Colorado Boulder
Tallinn University of Technology
University of Hong Kong
Eindhoven University of Technology
University of New South Wales
Virginia Tech
Polytechnic University of Milan
Danmarks Tekniske Universitet
University of Maryland, College Park
University of California at Berkeley
Aalborg University
University of Leeds
Yale University
CSIC
National University of Singapore
Aalto University
Architectural Institute of Japan
McGill University
Peking University
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en
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Environment International, Volume 142
Abstract
During the rapid rise in COVID-19 illnesses and deaths globally, and notwithstanding recommended precautions, questions are voiced about routes of transmission for this pandemic disease. Inhaling small airborne droplets is probable as a third route of infection, in addition to more widely recognized transmission via larger respiratory droplets and direct contact with infected people or contaminated surfaces. While uncertainties remain regarding the relative contributions of the different transmission pathways, we argue that existing evidence is sufficiently strong to warrant engineering controls targeting airborne transmission as part of an overall strategy to limit infection risk indoors. Appropriate building engineering controls include sufficient and effective ventilation, possibly enhanced by particle filtration and air disinfection, avoiding air recirculation and avoiding overcrowding. Often, such measures can be easily implemented and without much cost, but if only they are recognised as significant in contributing to infection control goals. We believe that the use of engineering controls in public buildings, including hospitals, shops, offices, schools, kindergartens, libraries, restaurants, cruise ships, elevators, conference rooms or public transport, in parallel with effective application of other controls (including isolation and quarantine, social distancing and hand hygiene), would be an additional important measure globally to reduce the likelihood of transmission and thereby protect healthcare workers, patients and the general public.
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Morawska , L , Tang , J W , Bahnfleth , W , Bluyssen , P M , Boerstra , A , Buonanno , G , Cao , J , Dancer , S , Floto , A , Franchimon , F , Haworth , C , Hogeling , J , Isaxon , C , Jimenez , J L , Kurnitski , J , Li , Y , Loomans , M , Marks , G , Marr , L C , Mazzarella , L , Melikov , A K , Miller , S , Milton , D K , Nazaroff , W , Nielsen , P V , Noakes , C , Peccia , J , Querol , X , Sekhar , C , Seppänen , O , Tanabe , S I , Tellier , R , Tham , K W , Wargocki , P , Wierzbicka , A & Yao , M 2020 , ' How can airborne transmission of COVID-19 indoors be minimised? ' , Environment International , vol. 142 , 105832 . https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2020.105832