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A Review on Building Design as a Biomedical System for Preventing COVID-19 Pandemic. BUILDINGS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/buildings12050582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Sustainable design methods aim to obtain architectural solutions that assure the coexistence and welfare of human beings, inorganic structures, and living things that constitute ecosystems. The novel coronavirus emergence, inadequate vaccines against the present severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-(SARS-CoV-2), and increases in microbial resistance have made it essential to review the preventative approaches used during pre-antibiotic periods. Apart from low carbon emissions and energy, sustainable architecture for facilities, building designs, and digital modeling should incorporate design approaches to confront the impacts of communicable infections. This review aims to determine how architectural design can protect people and employees from harm; it models viewpoints to highlight the architects’ roles in combating coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and designing guidelines as a biomedical system for policymakers. The goals include exploring the hospital architecture evolution and the connection between architectural space and communicable infections and recommending design and digital modeling strategies to improve infection prevention and controls. Based on a wide-ranging literature review, it was found that design methods have often played important roles in the prevention and control of infectious diseases and could be a solution for combating the wide spread of the novel coronavirus or coronavirus variants or delta.
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152
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Innate and Adaptive Immune Responses in the Upper Respiratory Tract and the Infectivity of SARS-CoV-2. Viruses 2022; 14:v14050933. [PMID: 35632675 PMCID: PMC9143801 DOI: 10.3390/v14050933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Revised: 04/20/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Increasing evidence shows the nasal epithelium to be the initial site of SARS-CoV-2 infection, and that early and effective immune responses in the upper respiratory tract (URT) limit and eliminate the infection in the URT, thereby preventing infection of the lower respiratory tract and the development of severe COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2 interferes with innate immunity signaling and evolves mutants that can reduce antibody-mediated immunity in the URT. Recent genetic and immunological advances in understanding innate immunity to SARS-CoV-2 in the URT, and the ability of prior infections as well as currently available injectable and potential intranasal COVID-19 vaccines to generate anamnestic adaptive immunity in the URT, are reviewed. It is suggested that the more detailed investigation of URT immune responses to all types of COVID-19 vaccines, and the development of safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines for intranasal administration, are important needs.
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153
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Ueki H, Ito M, Furusawa Y, Yamayoshi S, Inoue SI, Kawaoka Y. A 265-Nanometer High-Power Deep-UV Light-Emitting Diode Rapidly Inactivates SARS-CoV-2 Aerosols. mSphere 2022; 7:e0094121. [PMID: 35475734 PMCID: PMC9044969 DOI: 10.1128/msphere.00941-21] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection (COVID-19) is an acute respiratory infection transmitted by droplets, aerosols, and contact. Controlling the spread of COVID-19 and developing effective decontamination options are urgent issues for the international community. Here, we report the quantitative inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 in liquid and aerosolized samples by a state-of-the-art, high-power, AlGaN-based, single-chip compact deep-UV (DUV) light-emitting diode (LED) that produces a record continuous-wave output power of 500 mW at its peak emission wavelength of 265 nm. Using this DUV-LED, we observed a greater-than-5-log reduction in infectious SARS-CoV-2 in liquid samples within very short irradiation times (<0.4 s). When we quantified the efficacy of the 265-nm DUV-LED in inactivating SARS-CoV-2, we found that DUV-LED inactivation of aerosolized SARS-CoV-2 was approximately nine times greater than that of SARS-CoV-2 suspension. Our data demonstrate that this newly developed, compact, high-power 265-nm DUV-LED irradiation system with remarkably high inactivation efficiency for aerosolized SARS-CoV-2 could be an effective and practical tool for controlling SARS-CoV-2 spread. IMPORTANCE We developed a 265-nm high-power DUV-LED irradiation system and quantitatively demonstrated that the DUV-LED can inactivate SARS-CoV-2 in suspensions and aerosols within very short irradiation times. We also found that the inactivation effect was about nine times greater against aerosolized SARS-CoV-2 than against SARS-CoV-2 suspensions. The DUV-LED has several advantages over conventional LEDs and mercury lamps, including high power, compactness, and environmental friendliness; its rapid inactivation of aerosolized SARS-CoV-2 opens up new possibilities for the practical application of DUV-LEDs in high-efficiency air purification systems to control airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Ueki
- Department of Virology, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Center for Global Viral Diseases, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mutsumi Ito
- Department of Virology, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yuri Furusawa
- Department of Virology, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Laboratory of Ultrastructural Virology, Institute for Frontier Life and Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Seiya Yamayoshi
- Department of Virology, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Center for Global Viral Diseases, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shin-ichiro Inoue
- Advanced ICT Research Institute, National Institute of Information and Communications Technology (NICT), Kobe, Japan
| | - Yoshihiro Kawaoka
- Department of Virology, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Center for Global Viral Diseases, National Center for Global Health and Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Special Pathogens, International Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Institute of Medical Science, University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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154
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The Usage of an Air Purifier Device with HEPA 14 Filter during Dental Procedures in COVID-19 Pandemic: A Randomized Clinical Trial. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19095139. [PMID: 35564533 PMCID: PMC9102047 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19095139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2022] [Revised: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of an air purifier device (professional XXl inn-56 innoliving) with HEPA 14 filter in reducing the number of suspended particles generated during dental procedures as a vector of COVID-19 transmission. The survey was conducted on 80 individuals who underwent Oral Surgery with dental Hygiene Procedures, divided into two groups based on the operational risk classification related to dental procedures: a Test Group (with application of filtering device) and a Control Group (without filtering device). All procedures were monitored throughout the clinical controls, utilising professional tools such as molecular particle counters (Lasair III 350 L 9.50 L/min), bacteriological plates (Tryptic Soy Agar), sound meters for LAFp sound pressure level (SPL) and LCpk instantaneous peak level. The rate of suspended particles, microbiological pollution and noise pollution were calculated. SPSS software was used for statistical analysis method. The results showed the higher efficacy of the TEST Group on pollution abatement, 83% more than the Control fgroup. Additionally, the contamination was reduced by 69–80%. Noise pollution was not noticeable compared to the sounds already present in the clinical environment. The addition of PAC equipment to the already existing safety measures was found to be significantly effective in further microbiological risk reduction.
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155
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A comparison of respiratory particle emission rates at rest and while speaking or exercising. COMMUNICATIONS MEDICINE 2022; 2:44. [PMID: 35603287 PMCID: PMC9053213 DOI: 10.1038/s43856-022-00103-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic led to the prohibition of group-based exercise and the cancellation of sporting events. Evaluation of respiratory aerosol emissions is necessary to quantify exercise-related transmission risk and inform mitigation strategies. Methods Aerosol mass emission rates are calculated from concurrent aerosol and ventilation data, enabling absolute comparison. An aerodynamic particle sizer (0.54–20 μm diameter) samples exhalate from within a cardiopulmonary exercise testing mask, at rest, while speaking and during cycle ergometer-based exercise. Exercise challenge testing is performed to replicate typical gym-based exercise and very vigorous exercise, as determined by a preceding maximally exhaustive exercise test. Results We present data from 25 healthy participants (13 males, 12 females; 36.4 years). The size of aerosol particles generated at rest and during exercise is similar (unimodal ~0.57–0.71 µm), whereas vocalization also generated aerosol particles of larger size (i.e. was bimodal ~0.69 and ~1.74 µm). The aerosol mass emission rate during speaking (0.092 ng s−1; minute ventilation (VE) 15.1 L min−1) and vigorous exercise (0.207 ng s−1, p = 0.726; VE 62.6 L min−1) is similar, but lower than during very vigorous exercise (0.682 ng s−1, p < 0.001; VE 113.6 L min−1). Conclusions Vocalisation drives greater aerosol mass emission rates, compared to breathing at rest. Aerosol mass emission rates in exercise rise with intensity. Aerosol mass emission rates during vigorous exercise are no different from speaking at a conversational level. Mitigation strategies for airborne pathogens for non-exercise-based social interactions incorporating vocalisation, may be suitable for the majority of exercise settings. However, the use of facemasks when exercising may be less effective, given the smaller size of particles produced. SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, and other respiratory viruses are transmitted via respiratory particles emitted while breathing or speaking. Transmission of these viruses will depend in part on the rate at which these particles are emitted. Here, we studied respiratory particle sizes and emission rates in healthy people while breathing at rest, while speaking and during exercise on a static bicycle. We find that speaking generates larger particles and exercise generates smaller particles. The particle emission rate during speaking and typical gym-based exercise was similar but lower than values measured during very vigorous exercise. These findings help us to understand the emission of respiratory particles during different activities, and suggest that preventative measures for COVID-19 such as social distancing, used for non-exercise-based social interactions involving speaking, may be suitable for the majority of exercise settings. Orton and Symons et al. compare respiratory particle sizes and emission rates by sampling exhalates from participants at rest, and while speaking or exercising. They find that vocalisation produces larger particles and that while emission rates are similar between speaking and vigorous exercise, very vigorous exercise leads to higher rates.
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156
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Santurtún A, Colom ML, Fdez-Arroyabe P, Real ÁD, Fernández-Olmo I, Zarrabeitia MT. Exposure to particulate matter: Direct and indirect role in the COVID-19 pandemic. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 206:112261. [PMID: 34687752 PMCID: PMC8527737 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.112261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2021] [Revised: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/19/2021] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Knowing the transmission factors and the natural environment that favor the spread of a viral infection is crucial to stop outbreaks and develop effective preventive strategies. This work aims to evaluate the role of Particulate Matter (PM) in the COVID-19 pandemic, focusing especially on that of PM as a vector for SARS-CoV-2. Exposure to PM has been related to new cases and to the clinical severity of people infected by SARS-CoV-2, which can be explained by the oxidative stress and the inflammatory response generated by these particles when entering the respiratory system, as well as by the role of PM in the expression of ACE-2 in respiratory cells in human hosts. In addition, different authors have detected SARS-CoV-2 RNA in PM sampled both in outdoor and indoor environments. The results of various studies lead to the hypothesis that the aerosols emitted by an infected person could be deposited in other suspended particles, sometimes of natural but especially of anthropogenic origin, that form the basal PM. However, the viability of the virus in PM has not yet been demonstrated. Should PM be confirmed as a vector of transmission, prevention strategies ought to be adapted, and PM sampling in outdoor environments could become an indicator of viral load in a specific area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Santurtún
- Legal Medicine and Toxicology Area, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology. Faculty of Medicine. University of Cantabria, Santander, Spain.
| | - Marina L Colom
- Legal Medicine and Toxicology Area, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology. Faculty of Medicine. University of Cantabria, Santander, Spain
| | - Pablo Fdez-Arroyabe
- Geography and Planning Department, Geobiomet Research Group. University of Cantabria, Santander, Spain
| | - Álvaro Del Real
- Medicine and Psychiatry Department. University of Cantabria, Santander, Spain
| | - Ignacio Fernández-Olmo
- Chemical and Molecular Engineering Department. University of Cantabria, Santander, Spain
| | - María T Zarrabeitia
- Legal Medicine and Toxicology Area, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology. Faculty of Medicine. University of Cantabria, Santander, Spain
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157
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Styczynski A, Hemlock C, Hoque KI, Verma R, LeBoa C, Bhuiyan MOF, Nag A, Harun MGD, Amin MB, Andrews JR. Assessing impact of ventilation on airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2: a cross-sectional analysis of naturally ventilated healthcare settings in Bangladesh. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e055206. [PMID: 35428628 PMCID: PMC9013789 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-055206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To evaluate the risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 in naturally ventilated hospital settings by measuring parameters of ventilation and comparing these findings with results of bioaerosol sampling. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional study. STUDY SETTING AND STUDY SAMPLE The study sample included nine hospitals in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Ventilation characteristics and air samples were collected from 86 healthcare spaces during October 2020 to February 2021. PRIMARY OUTCOME Risk of cumulative SARS-CoV-2 infection by type of healthcare area. SECONDARY OUTCOMES Ventilation rates by healthcare space; risk of airborne detection of SARS-CoV-2 across healthcare spaces; impact of room characteristics on absolute ventilation; SARS-CoV-2 detection by naturally ventilated versus mechanically ventilated spaces. RESULTS The majority (78.7%) of naturally ventilated patient care rooms had ventilation rates that fell short of the recommended ventilation rate of 60 L/s/p. Using a modified Wells-Riley equation and local COVID-19 case numbers, we found that over a 40-hour exposure period, outpatient departments posed the highest median risk for infection (7.7%). SARS-CoV-2 RNA was most frequently detected in air samples from non-COVID wards (50.0%) followed by outpatient departments (42.9%). Naturally ventilated spaces (22.6%) had higher rates of SARS-CoV-2 detection compared with mechanically ventilated spaces (8.3%), though the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.128). In multivariable linear regression with calculated elasticity, open door area and cross-ventilation were found to have a significant impact on ventilation. CONCLUSION Our findings provide evidence that naturally ventilated healthcare settings may pose a high risk for exposure to SARS-CoV-2, particularly among non-COVID-designated spaces, but improving parameters of ventilation can mitigate this risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashley Styczynski
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Caitlin Hemlock
- Division of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of California Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Kazi Injamamul Hoque
- Laboratory Sciences and Services Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Renu Verma
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Chris LeBoa
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Md Omar Faruk Bhuiyan
- Laboratory Sciences and Services Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Auddithio Nag
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
| | - Md Golam Dostogir Harun
- Laboratory Sciences and Services Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Mohammed Badrul Amin
- Laboratory Sciences and Services Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Jason R Andrews
- Division of Infectious Diseases and Geographic Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, California, USA
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158
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Buonanno G, Robotto A, Brizio E, Morawska L, Civra A, Corino F, Lembo D, Ficco G, Stabile L. Link between SARS-CoV-2 emissions and airborne concentrations: Closing the gap in understanding. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 428:128279. [PMID: 35063838 PMCID: PMC8760841 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.128279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 01/11/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 remains surprisingly controversial; indeed, health and regulatory authorities still require direct proof of this mode of transmission. To close this gap, we measured the viral load of SARS-CoV-2 of an infected subject in a hospital room (through an oral and nasopharyngeal swab), as well as the airborne SARS-CoV-2 concentration in the room resulting from the person breathing and speaking. Moreover, we simulated the same scenarios to estimate the concentration of RNA copies in the air through a novel theoretical approach and conducted a comparative analysis between experimental and theoretical results. Results showed that for an infected subject's viral load ranging between 2.4 × 106 and 5.5 × 106 RNA copies mL-1, the corresponding airborne SARS-CoV-2 concentration was below the minimum detection threshold when the person was breathing, and 16.1 (expanded uncertainty of 32.8) RNA copies m-3 when speaking. The application of the predictive approach provided concentrations metrologically compatible with the available experimental data (i.e. for speaking activity). Thus, the study presented significant evidence to close the gap in understanding airborne transmission, given that the airborne SARS-CoV-2 concentration was shown to be directly related to the SARS-CoV-2 emitted. Moreover, the theoretical analysis was shown to be able to quantitatively link the airborne concentration to the emission.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Buonanno
- Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, Cassino, FR, Italy; International Laboratory for Air Quality and Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Qld, Australia; Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, Amedeo di Savoia Hospital, University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | - A Robotto
- Environmental Protection Agency of Piedmont (ARPA Piemonte), Italy; Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, Amedeo di Savoia Hospital, University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | - E Brizio
- Environmental Protection Agency of Piedmont (ARPA Piemonte), Italy; Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, Amedeo di Savoia Hospital, University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | - L Morawska
- International Laboratory for Air Quality and Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Qld, Australia; Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, Amedeo di Savoia Hospital, University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | - A Civra
- Dept. of Clinical and Biological Science, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria San Luigi Gonzaga, University of Turin, Italy; Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, Amedeo di Savoia Hospital, University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | - F Corino
- Environmental Protection Agency of Piedmont (ARPA Piemonte), Italy; Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, Amedeo di Savoia Hospital, University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | - D Lembo
- Dept. of Clinical and Biological Science, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria San Luigi Gonzaga, University of Turin, Italy; Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, Amedeo di Savoia Hospital, University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | - G Ficco
- Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, Cassino, FR, Italy; Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, Amedeo di Savoia Hospital, University of Turin, Torino, Italy
| | - L Stabile
- Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, Cassino, FR, Italy; Infectious Diseases Unit, Department of Medical Sciences, Amedeo di Savoia Hospital, University of Turin, Torino, Italy.
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159
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Xiao T, Mu T, Shen S, Song Y, Yang S, He J. A dynamic physical-distancing model to evaluate spatial measures for prevention of Covid-19 spread. PHYSICA A 2022; 592:126734. [PMID: 34975209 PMCID: PMC8709728 DOI: 10.1016/j.physa.2021.126734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/13/2021] [Revised: 11/07/2021] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Motivated by the global pandemic of COVID-19, this study investigates the spatial factors influencing physical distancing, and how these affect the transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, by integrating pedestrian dynamics with a modified susceptible-exposed-infectious model. Contacts between infected and susceptible pedestrians are examined by determining physical-distancing pedestrian dynamics in three types of spaces, and used to estimate the proportion of newly infected pedestrians in these spaces. Desired behaviour for physical distancing can be observed from simulation results, and aggregated simulation findings reveal that certain layouts enable physical distancing to reduce the transmission of SARS-CoV-2. We also provide policymakers with several design guidelines on how to proactively design more effective and resilient space layouts in the context of pandemics to keep low transmission risks while maintaining a high pedestrian volume. This approach has enormous application potential for other infectious-disease transmission and space assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianyi Xiao
- School of Architecture, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Tong Mu
- School of Architecture, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Sunle Shen
- School of Architecture, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Yiming Song
- School of Architecture, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Shufan Yang
- School of Architecture, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
| | - Jie He
- School of Architecture, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China
- School of Architecture, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
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160
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Jensen A, Brown N, Kosacki N, Spacek S, Bradley A, Katz D, Jimenez JL, de Gouw J. Teaching Instrumental Analysis during the Pandemic: Application of Handheld CO 2 Monitors to Explore COVID-19 Transmission Risks. JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION 2022; 99:1794-1801. [PMID: 35431325 PMCID: PMC9003892 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jchemed.1c01154] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has posed a challenge for maintaining an engaging learning environment while using remote laboratory formats. In this work, we describe a Student Choice Project (SCP) in an undergraduate instrumental analysis course that was adapted for remote learning without sacrificing research-based learning goals. We discuss the implementation and assessment of this SCP, selected student results, and student feedback. Students were provided handheld carbon dioxide monitors and charged with designing and implementing an investigation centered on COVID-19 airborne transmission. The real-time monitors provided experience with a new analytical tool that demanded considerations and analysis not common to other methods discussed in the course. Students were motivated by the ability to design their own projects and by the real-world implications of their findings. They performed well for all assessments, reported a positive experience, and recommended these monitors be added to the typical repertoire of instrumentation for the course.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Jensen
- Department
of Chemistry and Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental
Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - Niamh Brown
- Department
of Chemistry and Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental
Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
- Department
of Chemistry, Massachusetts Institute of
Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Nathalie Kosacki
- Department
of Chemistry and Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental
Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - Sara Spacek
- Department
of Chemistry and Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental
Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - Alexander Bradley
- Department
of Chemistry and Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental
Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - Daniel Katz
- Department
of Chemistry and Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental
Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - Jose L. Jimenez
- Department
of Chemistry and Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental
Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - Joost de Gouw
- Department
of Chemistry and Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental
Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
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161
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Kong M, Li L, Eilts SM, Li L, Hogan CJ, Pope ZC. Localized and Whole-Room Effects of Portable Air Filtration Units on Aerosol Particle Deposition and Concentration in a Classroom Environment. ACS ES&T ENGINEERING 2022; 2:653-669. [PMID: 37552723 PMCID: PMC8864773 DOI: 10.1021/acsestengg.1c00321] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
In indoor environments with limited ventilation, recirculating portable air filtration (PAF) units may reduce COVID-19 infection risk via not only the direct aerosol route (i.e., inhalation) but also via an indirect aerosol route (i.e., contact with the surface where aerosol particles deposited). We systematically investigated the impact of PAF units in a mock classroom, as a supplement to background ventilation, on localized and whole-room surface deposition and particle concentration. Fluorescently tagged particles with a volumetric mean diameter near 2 μm were continuously introduced into the classroom environment via a breathing simulator with a prescribed inhalation-exhalation waveform. Deposition velocities were inferred on >50 horizontal and vertical surfaces throughout the classroom, while aerosol concentrations were spatially monitored via optical particle spectrometry. Results revealed a particle decay rate consistent with expectations based upon the reported clean air delivery rates of the PAF units. Additionally, the PAF units reduced peak concentrations by a factor of around 2.5 compared to the highest concentrations observed and led to a statistically significant reduction in deposition velocities for horizontal surfaces >2.5 m from the aerosol source. Our results not only confirm that PAF units can reduce particle concentrations but also demonstrate that they may lead to reduced particle deposition throughout an indoor environment when properly positioned with respect to the location of the particle source(s) within the room (e.g., where the largest group of students sit) and the predominant air distribution profile of the room.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meng Kong
- Well Living Lab, Rochester,
Minnesota 55902, United States
| | - Linhao Li
- Well Living Lab, Rochester,
Minnesota 55902, United States
| | - Stephanie M. Eilts
- Department of Mechanical Engineering,
University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455,
United States
| | - Li Li
- Department of Mechanical Engineering,
University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455,
United States
| | - Christopher J. Hogan
- Department of Mechanical Engineering,
University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455,
United States
| | - Zachary C. Pope
- Well Living Lab, Rochester,
Minnesota 55902, United States
- Mayo Clinic, Department of Physiology and
Biomedical Engineering, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, United
States
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162
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Wessendorf L, Richter E, Schulte B, Schmithausen RM, Exner M, Lehmann N, Coenen M, Fuhrmann C, Kellings A, Hüsing A, Jöckel KH, Streeck H. Dynamics, outcomes and prerequisites of the first SARS-CoV-2 superspreading event in Germany in February 2020: a cross-sectional epidemiological study. BMJ Open 2022; 12:e059809. [PMID: 35387836 PMCID: PMC8987213 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2021-059809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The first German SARS-CoV-2 outbreak was a superspreading event in Gangelt, North Rhine-Westphalia, during indoor carnival festivities called 'Kappensitzung' (15 February 2020). We determined SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR positivity rate, SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies, and analysed the conditions and dynamics of superspreading, including ventilation, setting dimensions, distance from infected persons and behavioural patterns. DESIGN In a cross-sectional epidemiological study (51 days postevent), participants were asked to give blood, pharyngeal swabs and complete self-administered questionnaires. SETTING The SARS-CoV-2 superspreading event took place during festivities in the small community of Gangelt in February 2020. This 5-hour event included 450 people (6-79 years of age) in a building of 27 m × 13.20 m × 4.20 m. PARTICIPANTS Out of 450 event participants, 411 volunteered to participate in this study. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES Primary outcome: infection status (determined by IgG ELISA). SECONDARY OUTCOME symptoms (determined by questionnaire). RESULTS Overall, 46% (n=186/404) of participants had been infected, and their spatial distribution was associated with proximity to the ventilation system (OR 1.39, 95% CI 0.86 to 2.25). Risk of infection was highly associated with age: children (OR 0.33, 95% CI 0.267 to 0.414) and young adults (age 18-25 years) had a lower risk of infection than older participants (average risk increase of 28% per 10 years). Behavioural differences were also risk associated including time spent outside (OR 0.55, (95% CI 0.33 to 0.91) or smoking (OR 0.32, 95% CI 0.124 to 0.81). CONCLUSIONS Our findings underline the importance of proper indoor ventilation for future events. Lower susceptibility of children/young adults indicates their limited involvement in superspreading.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Enrico Richter
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Bianca Schulte
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | | | - Martin Exner
- Department of Hygiene, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Nils Lehmann
- Institute for Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Duisburg, Germany
| | - Martin Coenen
- Clinical Study Core Unit, Study Center Bonn (SZB), Rheinische Friedrich Wilhelms Universitat Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Christine Fuhrmann
- Clinical Study Core Unit, Study Center Bonn (SZB), Rheinische Friedrich Wilhelms Universitat Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Angelika Kellings
- Clinical Study Core Unit, Study Center Bonn (SZB), Rheinische Friedrich Wilhelms Universitat Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Anika Hüsing
- Institute for Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Duisburg, Germany
| | - Karl-Heinz Jöckel
- Institute for Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, University of Duisburg-Essen, Duisburg, Germany
| | - Hendrik Streeck
- Institute of Virology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, Germany
- German Centre for Infection Research, Braunschweig, Niedersachsen, Germany
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163
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Tellier R. COVID-19: the case for aerosol transmission. Interface Focus 2022; 12:20210072. [PMID: 35261731 PMCID: PMC8831082 DOI: 10.1098/rsfs.2021.0072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic is the most severe pandemic caused by a respiratory virus since the 1918 influenza pandemic. As is the case with other respiratory viruses, three modes of transmission have been invoked: contact (direct and through fomites), large droplets and aerosols. This narrative review makes the case that aerosol transmission is an important mode for COVID-19, through reviewing studies about bioaerosol physiology, detection of infectious SARS-CoV-2 in exhaled bioaerosols, prolonged SARS-CoV-2 infectivity persistence in aerosols created in the laboratory, detection of SARS-CoV-2 in air samples, investigation of outbreaks with manifest involvement of aerosols, and animal model experiments. SARS-CoV-2 joins influenza A virus as a virus with proven pandemic capacity that can be spread by the aerosol route. This has profound implications for the control of the current pandemic and for future pandemic preparedness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raymond Tellier
- Department of Medicine, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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164
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Henriques A, Mounet N, Aleixo L, Elson P, Devine J, Azzopardi G, Andreini M, Rognlien M, Tarocco N, Tang J. Modelling airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 using CARA: risk assessment for enclosed spaces. Interface Focus 2022; 12:20210076. [PMID: 35261732 PMCID: PMC8831086 DOI: 10.1098/rsfs.2021.0076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for a proper risk assessment of respiratory pathogens in indoor settings. This paper documents the COVID Airborne Risk Assessment methodology, to assess the potential exposure of airborne SARS-CoV-2 viruses, with an emphasis on virological and immunological factors in the quantification of the risk. The model results from a multidisciplinary approach linking physical, mechanical and biological domains, enabling decision makers or facility managers to assess their indoor setting. The model was benchmarked against clinical data, as well as two real-life outbreaks, showing good agreement. A probability of infection is computed in several everyday-life settings and with various mitigation measures. The importance of super-emitters in airborne transmission is confirmed: 20% of infected hosts can emit approximately two orders of magnitude more viral-containing particles. The use of masks provides a fivefold reduction in viral emissions. Natural ventilation strategies are very effective to decrease the concentration of virions, although periodic venting strategies are not ideal in certain settings. Although vaccination is an effective measure against hospitalization, their effectiveness against transmission is not optimal, hence non-pharmaceutical interventions (ventilation, masks) should be actively supported. We also propose a critical threshold to define an acceptable risk level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andre Henriques
- CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Nicolas Mounet
- CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Luis Aleixo
- CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Philip Elson
- CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - James Devine
- CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research), Geneva, Switzerland
| | | | - Marco Andreini
- CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Markus Rognlien
- NTNU (Norwegian University of Science and Technology), Torgarden, Norway
| | - Nicola Tarocco
- CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research), Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Julian Tang
- Respiratory Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
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165
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Liu S, Koupriyanov M, Paskaruk D, Fediuk G, Chen Q. Investigation of airborne particle exposure in an office with mixing and displacement ventilation. SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND SOCIETY 2022; 79:103718. [PMID: 35127341 PMCID: PMC8799404 DOI: 10.1016/j.scs.2022.103718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2021] [Revised: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/25/2022] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Effective ventilation could reduce COVID-19 infection in buildings. By using a computational fluid dynamics technique and advanced experimental measurement methods, this investigation studied the air velocity, air temperature, and particle number concentration in an office under a mixing ventilation (MV) system and a displacement ventilation (DV) system with different ventilation rates. The results show reasonably good agreement between the computed results and measured data. The air temperature and particle number concentration under the MV system were uniform, while the DV system generated a vertical stratification of the air temperature and particle number concentration. Because of the vertical stratification of the particle number concentration, the DV system provided better indoor air quality than the MV system. An increase in ventilation rate can reduce the particle concentration under the two systems. However, the improvement was not proportional to the ventilation rate. The increase in ventilation rate from 2 ACH to 4 ACH and 6 ACH for MV system reduced the particle concentration by 20% and 60%, respectively. While for the DV system, increasing the ventilation rate from 2 ACH to 4 ACH and 6 ACH reduced the particle concentration by only 10% and 40%, respectively. The ventilation effectiveness of the MV system was close to 1.0, but it was much higher for the DV system. Therefore, the DV system was better than the MV system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sumei Liu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Indoor Air Environmental Quality Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Mike Koupriyanov
- Price Industries Limited, 638 Raleigh Street Winnipeg, MB R2K 3Z9, Canada
| | - Dale Paskaruk
- Price Industries Limited, 638 Raleigh Street Winnipeg, MB R2K 3Z9, Canada
| | - Graham Fediuk
- Price Industries Limited, 638 Raleigh Street Winnipeg, MB R2K 3Z9, Canada
| | - Qingyan Chen
- Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47905, USA
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166
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Myers NT, Laumbach RJ, Black KG, Ohman‐Strickland P, Alimokhtari S, Legard A, De Resende A, Calderón L, Lu FT, Mainelis G, Kipen HM. Portable air cleaners and residential exposure to SARS-CoV-2 aerosols: A real-world study. INDOOR AIR 2022; 32:e13029. [PMID: 35481935 PMCID: PMC9111720 DOI: 10.1111/ina.13029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2022] [Revised: 03/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/02/2022] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Individuals with COVID-19 who do not require hospitalization are instructed to self-isolate in their residences. Due to high secondary infection rates in household members, there is a need to understand airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 within residences. We report the first naturalistic intervention study suggesting a reduction of such transmission risk using portable air cleaners (PACs) with HEPA filters. Seventeen individuals with newly diagnosed COVID-19 infection completed this single-blind, crossover, randomized study. Total and size-fractionated aerosol samples were collected simultaneously in the self-isolation room with the PAC (primary) and another room (secondary) for two consecutive 24-h periods, one period with HEPA filtration and the other with the filter removed (sham). Seven out of sixteen (44%) air samples in primary rooms were positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA during the sham period. With the PAC operated at its lowest setting (clean air delivery rate [CADR] = 263 cfm) to minimize noise, positive aerosol samples decreased to four out of sixteen residences (25%; p = 0.229). A slight decrease in positive aerosol samples was also observed in the secondary room. As the world confronts both new variants and limited vaccination rates, our study supports this practical intervention to reduce the presence of viral aerosols in a real-world setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nirmala T. Myers
- Department of Environmental SciencesRutgers UniversityNew BrunswickNew JerseyUSA
- Rutgers Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences InstituteRutgers UniversityPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
| | - Robert J. Laumbach
- Rutgers Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences InstituteRutgers UniversityPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and JusticeRutgers UniversityPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
| | - Kathleen G. Black
- Rutgers Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences InstituteRutgers UniversityPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
| | - Pamela Ohman‐Strickland
- Rutgers Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences InstituteRutgers UniversityPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
- Department of Biostatistics and EpidemiologyRutgers School of Public HealthRutgers UniversityPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
| | - Shahnaz Alimokhtari
- Rutgers Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences InstituteRutgers UniversityPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
| | - Alicia Legard
- Rutgers Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences InstituteRutgers UniversityPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
| | - Adriana De Resende
- Rutgers Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences InstituteRutgers UniversityPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
| | - Leonardo Calderón
- Department of Environmental SciencesRutgers UniversityNew BrunswickNew JerseyUSA
- Rutgers Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences InstituteRutgers UniversityPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
| | - Frederic T. Lu
- Rutgers Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences InstituteRutgers UniversityPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
| | - Gediminas Mainelis
- Department of Environmental SciencesRutgers UniversityNew BrunswickNew JerseyUSA
- Rutgers Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences InstituteRutgers UniversityPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
| | - Howard M. Kipen
- Rutgers Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences InstituteRutgers UniversityPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and JusticeRutgers UniversityPiscatawayNew JerseyUSA
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167
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Ramuta MD, Newman CM, Brakefield SF, Stauss MR, Wiseman RW, Kita-Yarbro A, O’Connor EJ, Dahal N, Lim A, Poulsen KP, Safdar N, Marx JA, Accola MA, Rehrauer WM, Zimmer JA, Khubbar M, Beversdorf LJ, Boehm EC, Castañeda D, Rushford C, Gregory DA, Yao JD, Bhattacharyya S, Johnson MC, Aliota MT, Friedrich TC, O’Connor DH, O’Connor SL. SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory pathogens are detected in continuous air samples from congregate settings. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2022:2022.03.29.22272716. [PMID: 35378751 PMCID: PMC8978944 DOI: 10.1101/2022.03.29.22272716] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Two years after the emergence of SARS-CoV-2, there is still a need for better ways to assess the risk of transmission in congregate spaces. We deployed active air samplers to monitor the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in real-world settings across communities in the Upper Midwestern states of Wisconsin and Minnesota. Over 29 weeks, we collected 527 air samples from 15 congregate settings and detected 106 SARS-CoV-2 positive samples, demonstrating SARS-CoV-2 can be detected in air collected from daily and weekly sampling intervals. We expanded the utility of air surveillance to test for 40 other respiratory pathogens. Surveillance data revealed differences in timing and location of SARS-CoV-2 and influenza A virus detection in the community. In addition, we obtained SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences from air samples to identify variant lineages. Collectively, this shows air surveillance is a scalable, cost-effective, and high throughput alternative to individual testing for detecting respiratory pathogens in congregate settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitchell D. Ramuta
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Christina M. Newman
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Savannah F. Brakefield
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | | | - Roger W. Wiseman
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, Madison, WI USA
| | | | | | - Neeti Dahal
- Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Ailam Lim
- Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, Madison, WI, USA
| | | | - Nasia Safdar
- University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics, Madison, WI, USA
| | - John A. Marx
- University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Molly A. Accola
- University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics, Madison, WI, USA
| | - William M. Rehrauer
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- University of Wisconsin Hospitals and Clinics, Madison, WI, USA
| | - Julia A. Zimmer
- City of Milwaukee Health Department Laboratory, Milwaukee, WI
| | - Manjeet Khubbar
- City of Milwaukee Health Department Laboratory, Milwaukee, WI
| | | | - Emma C. Boehm
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - David Castañeda
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Clayton Rushford
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Missouri, School of Medicine, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Devon A. Gregory
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Missouri, School of Medicine, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Joseph D. Yao
- Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
| | | | - Marc C. Johnson
- Department of Molecular Microbiology and Immunology, University of Missouri, School of Medicine, Columbia, MO, USA
| | - Matthew T. Aliota
- Department of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN, USA
| | - Thomas C. Friedrich
- Department of Pathobiological Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
| | - David H. O’Connor
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, Madison, WI USA
| | - Shelby L. O’Connor
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA
- Wisconsin National Primate Research Center, Madison, WI USA
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168
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Parhizkar H, Fretz M, Laguerre A, Stenson J, Corsi RL, Van Den Wymelenberg KG, Gall ET. A novel VOC breath tracer method to evaluate indoor respiratory exposures in the near- and far-fields. RESEARCH SQUARE 2022:rs.3.rs-1437107. [PMID: 35291299 PMCID: PMC8923116 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-1437107/v2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Several studies suggest that far-field transmission (> 6 ft) explains the significant number of COVID-19 superspreading outbreaks. Therefore, quantitative evaluation of near- and far-field exposure to emissions from a source is key to better understanding human-to-human airborne infectious disease transmission and associated risks. In this study, we used an environmentally-controlled chamber to measure volatile organic compounds (VOCs) released from a healthy participant who consumed breath mints, which contained unique tracer compounds. Tracer measurements were made at 2.5 ft, 5 ft, 7.5 ft from the participant, as well as in the exhaust plenum of the chamber. We observed that 2.5 ft trials had substantially (~36-44%) higher concentrations than other distances during the first 20 minutes of experiments, highlighting the importance of the near-field relative to the far-field before virus-laden respiratory aerosol plumes are continuously mixed into the far-field. However, for the conditions studied, the concentrations of human-sourced tracers after 20 minutes and approaching the end of the 60-minute trials at 2.5 ft, 5 ft, and 7.5 ft were only ~18%, ~11%, and ~7.5% higher than volume-averaged concentrations, respectively. Our findings highlight the importance of far-field transmission of airborne pathogens including SARS-CoV-2, which need to be considered in public health decision making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hooman Parhizkar
- Institute for Health in the Built Environment, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon
| | - Mark Fretz
- Institute for Health in the Built Environment, University of Oregon, Portland, Oregon
| | - Aurélie Laguerre
- Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Portland State University, Portland, Oregon
| | - Jason Stenson
- Energy Studies in Building Laboratories, University of Oregon, Portland, Oregon
| | | | | | - Elliott T Gall
- Department of Mechanical and Materials Engineering, Portland State University, Portland, Oregon
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169
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Nohl A, Brune B, Weichert V, Standl F, Stang A, Dudda M. COVID-19: Vaccination Side Effects and Sick Leave in Frontline Healthcare-Workers-A Web-Based Survey in Germany. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:411. [PMID: 35335043 PMCID: PMC8950199 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10030411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 02/26/2022] [Accepted: 03/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
(1) Background: The COVID-19 vaccination has caused uncertainty among employees and employers regarding vaccination reactions and incapacitation. At the time of our study, three vaccines are licensed in Germany to combat the COVID-19 pandemic (BioNTech/Pfizer (Comirnaty), AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria), and Moderna (Spikevax). We aim to assess how often and to what extent frontline healthcare workers had vaccination reactions after the first and second vaccination. The main focus is on the amount of sick leave after the vaccinations. (2) Methods: We create a web-based online questionnaire and deliver it to 270 medical directors in emergency medical services all over Germany. They are asked to make the questionnaire public to employees in their area of responsibility. To assess the association between independent variables and adverse effects of vaccination, we use log-binomial regression to estimate prevalence ratios (PR) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) for dichotomous outcomes (sick leave). (3) Results: A total of 3909 individuals participate in the survey for the first vaccination, of whom 3657 (94%) also provide data on the second vaccination. Compared to the first vaccination, mRNA-related vaccine reactions are more intense after the second vaccination, while vaccination reactions are less intense for vector vaccines. (4) Conclusion: Most vaccination reactions are physiological (local or systemic). Our results can help to anticipate the extent to which personnel will be unable to work after vaccination. Even among vaccinated HCWs, there seems to be some skepticism about future vaccinations. Therefore, continuous education and training should be provided to all professionals, especially regarding vaccination boosters. Our results contribute to a better understanding and can therefore support the control of the pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- André Nohl
- Emergency Medical Services, Fire Brigade Oberhausen, 46047 Oberhausen, Germany
- Department of Emergency Medicine, BG Klinikum Duisburg, 47249 Duisburg, Germany
- Department of Trauma, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany;
- Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS), 47249 Duisburg, Germany;
| | - Bastian Brune
- Department of Trauma, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany;
- Emergency Medical Services, Fire Brigade Essen, 45139 Essen, Germany
| | - Veronika Weichert
- Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS), 47249 Duisburg, Germany;
- Department of Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery, BG Klinikum Duisburg, 47249 Duisburg, Germany
| | - Fabian Standl
- Institute of Medical Informatics, Biometry, and Epidemiology, University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (F.S.); (A.S.)
| | - Andreas Stang
- Institute of Medical Informatics, Biometry, and Epidemiology, University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany; (F.S.); (A.S.)
- Department of Epidemiology, School of Public Health, Boston University, Boston, MA 02215, USA
| | - Marcel Dudda
- Department of Trauma, Hand and Reconstructive Surgery, University Hospital Essen, 45147 Essen, Germany;
- Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS), 47249 Duisburg, Germany;
- Emergency Medical Services, Fire Brigade Essen, 45139 Essen, Germany
- Department of Trauma and Reconstructive Surgery, BG Klinikum Duisburg, 47249 Duisburg, Germany
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170
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Johnson TJ, Nishida RT, Sonpar AP, Lin YCJ, Watson KA, Smith SW, Conly JM, Evans DH, Olfert JS. Viral load of SARS-CoV-2 in droplets and bioaerosols directly captured during breathing, speaking and coughing. Sci Rep 2022; 12:3484. [PMID: 35241703 PMCID: PMC8894466 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-07301-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 02/16/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Determining the viral load and infectivity of SARS-CoV-2 in macroscopic respiratory droplets, bioaerosols, and other bodily fluids and secretions is important for identifying transmission modes, assessing risks and informing public health guidelines. Here we show that viral load of SARS-CoV-2 Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) in participants' naso-pharyngeal (NP) swabs positively correlated with RNA viral load they emitted in both droplets >10 [Formula: see text] and bioaerosols <10 [Formula: see text] directly captured during the combined expiratory activities of breathing, speaking and coughing using a standardized protocol, although the NP swabs had [Formula: see text] 10[Formula: see text] more RNA on average. By identifying highly-infectious individuals (maximum of 18,000 PFU/mL in NP), we retrieved higher numbers of SARS-CoV-2 RNA gene copies in bioaerosol samples (maximum of 4.8[Formula: see text] gene copies/mL and minimum cycle threshold of 26.2) relative to other studies. However, all attempts to identify infectious virus in size-segregated droplets and bioaerosols were negative by plaque assay (0 of 58). This outcome is partly attributed to the insufficient amount of viral material in each sample (as indicated by SARS-CoV-2 gene copies) or may indicate no infectious virus was present in such samples, although other possible factors are identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tyler J Johnson
- Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Robert T Nishida
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
| | - Ashlesha P Sonpar
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
- Alberta Health Services, Alberta, Canada
| | - Yi-Chan James Lin
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology and Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Kimberley A Watson
- Alberta Health Services, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Family Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Stephanie W Smith
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
- Alberta Health Services, Alberta, Canada
| | - John M Conly
- Alberta Health Services, Alberta, Canada
- Department of Medicine, Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Synder Institute for Chronic Diseases and O'Brien Institute for Public Health, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada
| | - David H Evans
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology and Li Ka Shing Institute of Virology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Jason S Olfert
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.
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171
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Kotwa JD, Jamal AJ, Mbareche H, Yip L, Aftanas P, Barati S, Bell NG, Bryce E, Coomes E, Crowl G, Duchaine C, Faheem A, Farooqi L, Hiebert R, Katz K, Khan S, Kozak R, Li AX, Mistry HP, Mozafarihashjin M, Nasir JA, Nirmalarajah K, Panousis EM, Paterson A, Plenderleith S, Powis J, Prost K, Schryer R, Taylor M, Veillette M, Wong T, Zoe Zhong X, McArthur AG, McGeer AJ, Mubareka S. Surface and Air Contamination With Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 From Hospitalized Coronavirus Disease 2019 Patients in Toronto, Canada, March-May 2020. J Infect Dis 2022; 225:768-776. [PMID: 34850051 DOI: 10.1101/2021.05.17.21257122] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 05/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND We determined the burden of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in air and on surfaces in rooms of patients hospitalized with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and investigated patient characteristics associated with SARS-CoV-2 environmental contamination. METHODS Nasopharyngeal swabs, surface, and air samples were collected from the rooms of 78 inpatients with COVID-19 at 6 acute care hospitals in Toronto from March to May 2020. Samples were tested for SARS-CoV-2 ribonucleic acid (RNA), cultured to determine potential infectivity, and whole viral genomes were sequenced. Association between patient factors and detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in surface samples were investigated. RESULTS Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 RNA was detected from surfaces (125 of 474 samples; 42 of 78 patients) and air (3 of 146 samples; 3 of 45 patients); 17% (6 of 36) of surface samples from 3 patients yielded viable virus. Viral sequences from nasopharyngeal and surface samples clustered by patient. Multivariable analysis indicated hypoxia at admission, polymerase chain reaction-positive nasopharyngeal swab (cycle threshold of ≤30) on or after surface sampling date, higher Charlson comorbidity score, and shorter time from onset of illness to sampling date were significantly associated with detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in surface samples. CONCLUSIONS The infrequent recovery of infectious SARS-CoV-2 virus from the environment suggests that the risk to healthcare workers from air and near-patient surfaces in acute care hospital wards is likely limited.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Lily Yip
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | | | | | - Elizabeth Bryce
- Division of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Vancouver Coastal Health, Vancouver, British Colombia, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, British Colombia, Canada
| | - Eric Coomes
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Caroline Duchaine
- Centre de Recherche de l'Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec - Université de Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada
- Départment de Biochimie, de Microbiologie et de Bio-Informatique, Faculté des Sciences et de Génie, Université de Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Amna Faheem
- Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Ryan Hiebert
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Kevin Katz
- North York General Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Saman Khan
- Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Robert Kozak
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Angel X Li
- Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | | | - Jalees A Nasir
- Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Science, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Emily M Panousis
- Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Science, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | | | | | - Jeff Powis
- Michael Garron Hospital, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Karren Prost
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Renée Schryer
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Marc Veillette
- Centre de Recherche de l'Institut Universitaire de Cardiologie et de Pneumologie de Québec - Université de Laval, Québec City, Québec, Canada
| | - Titus Wong
- Division of Medical Microbiology and Infection Prevention, Vancouver Coastal Health, Vancouver, British Colombia, Canada
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, British Colombia, Canada
| | | | - Andrew G McArthur
- Michael G. DeGroote Institute for Infectious Disease Research, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Biochemistry and Biomedical Science, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
| | - Allison J McGeer
- Sinai Health System, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Samira Mubareka
- Sunnybrook Research Institute, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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Habibi N, Uddin S, Behbehani M, Abdul Razzack N, Zakir F, Shajan A. SARS-CoV-2 in hospital air as revealed by comprehensive respiratory viral panel sequencing. Infect Prev Pract 2022; 4:100199. [PMID: 34977533 PMCID: PMC8711137 DOI: 10.1016/j.infpip.2021.100199] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Nosocomially acquired severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus type 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection has become the most significant pandemic of our lifetime. Though its transmission was essentially attributed to droplets from an infected person, with recent advancements in knowledge, aerosol transmission seems to be a viable pathway, as well. Because of the lower biological load in ambient aerosol, detection of SARS-CoV-2 is challenging. A few recent attempts of sampling large aerosol volumes and using next-generation sequencing (NGS) to detect the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in the air at very low levels gave positive results. These results suggest the potential of using this technique to detect the presence of SARS-CoV-2 and use it as an early warning signal for possible outbreak or recurrence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). AIM To assess efficacy of comprehensive respiratory viral panel (CRVP) sequencing and RT-PCR for low-level identification of SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses in indoor air. METHODS A large volume of indoor aerosol samples from three major hospitals involved in COVID-19 care in Kuwait was collected. Viral RNA was isolated and subjected to comprehensive respiratory viral panel sequencing (CRVP) as per the standard protocol to detect the SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses in the hospital aerosol and monitor variations within the sequences. RT-PCR was also employed to estimate the viral load of SARS-CoV-2. FINDINGS 13 of 15 (86.7%) samples exhibited SARS-CoV-2 with a relative abundance of 0.2-33.3%. The co-occurrence of human adenoviruses (type C1, C2, C5, C4), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza B, and non-SARS-CoV-229E were also recorded. Alignment of SARS-CoV-2 sequences against the reference strain of Wuhan China revealed variations in the form of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs-17), insertions and deletions (indels-1). These variations were predicted to create missense (16), synonymous (15), frameshift (1) and stop-gained (1) mutations with a high (2), low (15), and moderate (16) impact. CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that using CRVP on a large volume aerosol sample was a valuable tool for detecting SARS-CoV-2 in indoor aerosols of health care settings. Owing to its higher sensitivity, it can be employed as a surveillance strategy in the post COVID times to act as an early warning system to possibly control future outbreaks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazima Habibi
- Environment and Life Sciences Research Center, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, Kuwait
| | - Saif Uddin
- Environment and Life Sciences Research Center, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, Kuwait
| | - Montaha Behbehani
- Environment and Life Sciences Research Center, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, Kuwait
| | - Nasreem Abdul Razzack
- Environment and Life Sciences Research Center, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, Kuwait
| | - Farhana Zakir
- Environment and Life Sciences Research Center, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, Kuwait
| | - Anisha Shajan
- Environment and Life Sciences Research Center, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, Kuwait
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173
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Lau Z, Griffiths IM, English A, Kaouri K. Predicting the spatio-temporal infection risk in indoor spaces using an efficient airborne transmission model. Proc Math Phys Eng Sci 2022; 478:20210383. [PMID: 35310953 PMCID: PMC8924953 DOI: 10.1098/rspa.2021.0383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
We develop a spatially dependent generalization to the Wells-Riley model, which determines the infection risk due to airborne transmission of viruses. We assume that the infectious aerosol concentration is governed by an advection-diffusion-reaction equation with the aerosols advected by airflow, diffused due to turbulence, emitted by infected people, and removed due to ventilation, inactivation of the virus and gravitational settling. We consider one asymptomatic or presymptomatic infectious person breathing or talking, with or without a mask, and model a quasi-three-dimensional set-up that incorporates a recirculating air-conditioning flow. We derive a semi-analytic solution that enables fast simulations and compare our predictions to three real-life case studies-a courtroom, a restaurant, and a hospital ward-demonstrating good agreement. We then generate predictions for the concentration and the infection risk in a classroom, for four different ventilation settings. We quantify the significant reduction in the concentration and the infection risk as ventilation improves, and derive appropriate power laws. The model can be easily updated for different parameter values and can be used to make predictions on the expected time taken to become infected, for any location, emission rate, and ventilation level. The results have direct applicability in mitigating the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zechariah Lau
- School of Mathematics, Cardiff University, CF24 4AG Cardiff, UK
- Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford, OX1 6GG Oxford, UK
| | - Ian M. Griffiths
- Mathematical Institute, University of Oxford, OX1 6GG Oxford, UK
| | - Aaron English
- School of Mathematics, Cardiff University, CF24 4AG Cardiff, UK
- Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering, University of Manchester, M13 9PL Manchester, UK
| | - Katerina Kaouri
- School of Mathematics, Cardiff University, CF24 4AG Cardiff, UK
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174
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Caschera AG, McAuley J, Kim Y, Purcell D, Rymenants J, Foucher DA. Evaluation of virucidal activity of residual quaternary ammonium-treated surfaces on SARS-CoV-2. Am J Infect Control 2022; 50:325-329. [PMID: 34756967 PMCID: PMC8553632 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2021.10.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2021] [Revised: 10/09/2021] [Accepted: 10/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic has had an unprecedented impact on global health and the world's economies. Proliferation of virulent and deadly SARS-CoV-2 variants require effective transmission mitigation strategies. Under reasonable environmental conditions, culturable and infectious SARS-CoV-2 can survive on contaminated fomites from hours to months. In the present study we evaluated a surface-anchored polymeric quaternary ammonium antimicrobial to help reduce fomite transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from contaminated surfaces. METHODS Two studies were performed on antimicrobial pre-treated metal disks in March 2020 by two independent Biosafety Level III (BSL-3) equipped laboratories in April 2020. These facilities were in Belgium (the Rega Medical Research Institute) and Australia (the Peter Doherty Institute) and independently applied quantitative carrier-based methodologies using the authentic SARS-CoV-2 isolates (hCoV-19/Australia/VIC01/2020, hCoV-19/Belgium/GHB-03021/2020). RESULTS Residual dry tests were independently conducted at both facilities and demonstrated sustained virion destruction (108.23 TCID50/carrier GHB-03021 isolate, and 103.66 TCID50/carrier VIC01 isolate) 1 hour (drying) + 10 minutes after inoculation. Reductions are further supported by degradation of RNA on antimicrobial-treated surfaces using qRT-PCR. CONCLUSIONS Using a polymeric quaternary ammonium antimicrobial (EPA/PMRA registered) the results independently support a sustained antiviral effect via SARS-CoV-2 virion destruction and viral RNA degradation. This indicates that silane-anchored quaternary ammonium compound (SiQAC-18) treated surfaces could play an important role in mitigating the communicability and fomite transmission of SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander G Caschera
- Ryerson University, Department of Chemistry and Biology; Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5B 2K3.
| | - Julie McAuley
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Youry Kim
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Damian Purcell
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The University of Melbourne at the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Jasper Rymenants
- Laboratory of Virology and Chemotherapy Rega Institute for Medical Research, Leuven, Belgium
| | - Daniel A Foucher
- Ryerson University, Department of Chemistry and Biology; Toronto, Ontario, Canada, M5B 2K3
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175
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SARS-CoV-2 Detection in air samples from inside heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems- COVID surveillance in student dorms. Am J Infect Control 2022; 50:330-335. [PMID: 34688726 PMCID: PMC8530765 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2021.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/05/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023]
Abstract
Background The COVID-19 pandemic affected universities and institutions and caused campus shutdowns with a transition to online teaching models. To detect infections that might spread on campus, we pursued research towards detecting SARS-CoV-2 in air samples inside student dorms. Methods We sampled air in 2 large dormitories for 3.5 months and a separate isolation suite containing a student who had tested positive for COVID-19. We developed novel techniques employing 4 methods to collect air samples: Filter Cassettes, Button Sampler, BioSampler, and AerosolSense sampler combined with direct qRT-PCR SARS-CoV-2 analysis. Results For the 2 large dorms with the normal student population, we detected SARS-CoV-2 in 11 samples. When compared with student nasal swab qRT-PCR testing, we detected SARS-CoV-2 in air samples when a PCR positive COVID-19 student was living on the same floor of the sampling location with a detection rate of 75%. For the isolation dorm, we had a 100% SARS-CoV-2 detection rate with AerosolSense sampler. Conclusions Our data suggest air sampling may be an important SARS-CoV-2 surveillance technique, especially for buildings with congregant living settings (dorms, correctional facilities, barracks). Future building designs and public health policies should consider implementation of Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning surveillance.
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Abstract
Aerosol transmission has been officially recognized by the world health authority resulting from its overwhelming experimental and epidemiological evidences. Despite substantial progress, few additional actions were taken to prevent aerosol transmission, and many key scientific questions still await urgent investigations. The grand challenge, the effective control of aerosol transmission of COVID-19, remains unsolved. A better understanding of the viral shedding into the air has been developed, but its temporal pattern is largely unknown. Sampling tools, as one of the critical elements for studying SARS-CoV-2 aerosol, are not readily available around the world. Many of them are less capable of preserving the viability of SARS-CoV-2, thus offering no clues about viral aerosol infectivity. As evidenced, the viability of SARS-CoV-2 is also directly impacted by temperature, humidity, sunlight, and air pollutants. For SARS-CoV-2 aerosol detection, liquid samplers, together with real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), are currently used in certain enclosed or semi-enclosed environments. Sensitive and rapid COVID-19 screening technologies are in great need. Among others, the breath-borne-based method emerges with global attention due to its advantages in sample collection and early disease detection. To collectively confront these challenges, scientists from different fields around the world need to fight together for the welfare of mankind. This review summarized the current understanding of the aerosol transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and identified the key knowledge gaps with a to-do list. This review also serves as a call for efforts to develop technologies to better protect the people in a forthcoming reopening world.
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177
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Rufino de Sousa N, Steponaviciute L, Margerie L, Nissen K, Kjellin M, Reinius B, Salaneck E, Udekwu KI, Rothfuchs AG. Detection and isolation of airborne SARS-CoV-2 in a hospital setting. INDOOR AIR 2022; 32:e13023. [PMID: 35347788 PMCID: PMC9111425 DOI: 10.1111/ina.13023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Transmission mechanisms for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are incompletely understood. In particular, aerosol transmission remains unclear, with viral detection in air and demonstration of its infection potential being actively investigated. To this end, we employed a novel electrostatic collector to sample air from rooms occupied by COVID-19 patients in a major Swedish hospital. Electrostatic air sampling in conjunction with extraction-free, reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (hid-RT-PCR) enabled detection of SARS-CoV-2 in air from patient rooms (9/22; 41%) and adjoining anterooms (10/22; 45%). Detection with hid-RT-PCR was concomitant with viral RNA presence on the surface of exhaust ventilation channels in patients and anterooms more than 2 m from the COVID-19 patient. Importantly, it was possible to detect active SARS-CoV-2 particles from room air, with a total of 496 plaque-forming units (PFUs) being isolated, establishing the presence of infectious, airborne SARS-CoV-2 in rooms occupied by COVID-19 patients. Our results support circulation of SARS-CoV-2 via aerosols and urge the revision of existing infection control frameworks to include airborne transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuno Rufino de Sousa
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC)Karolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
| | - Laura Steponaviciute
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC)Karolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
| | - Lucille Margerie
- Department of Microbiology, Tumor and Cell Biology (MTC)Karolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
| | - Karolina Nissen
- Department of Medical SciencesInfectious DiseasesUppsala UniversityUniversity Hospital UppsalaUppsalaSweden
| | - Midori Kjellin
- Department of Medical SciencesInfectious DiseasesUppsala UniversityUniversity Hospital UppsalaUppsalaSweden
| | - Björn Reinius
- Department of Medical Biochemistry and Biophysics (MBB)Karolinska InstitutetStockholmSweden
| | - Erik Salaneck
- Department of Medical SciencesInfectious DiseasesUppsala UniversityUniversity Hospital UppsalaUppsalaSweden
| | - Klas I. Udekwu
- Department of Aquatic Sciences and AssessmentSwedish University of Agricultural SciencesUppsalaSweden
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Arpino F, Grossi G, Cortellessa G, Mikszewski A, Morawska L, Buonanno G, Stabile L. Risk of SARS-CoV-2 in a car cabin assessed through 3D CFD simulations. INDOOR AIR 2022; 32:e13012. [PMID: 35347787 PMCID: PMC9111293 DOI: 10.1111/ina.13012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2022] [Revised: 02/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/18/2022] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
In this study, the risk of infection from SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant of passengers sharing a car cabin with an infected subject for a 30-min journey is estimated through an integrated approach combining a recently developed predictive emission-to-risk approach and a validated CFD numerical model numerically solved using the open-source OpenFOAM software. Different scenarios were investigated to evaluate the effect of the infected subject position within the car cabin, the airflow rate of the HVAC system, the HVAC ventilation mode, and the expiratory activity (breathing vs. speaking). The numerical simulations here performed reveal that the risk of infection is strongly influenced by several key parameters: As an example, under the same ventilation mode and emitting scenario, the risk of infection ranges from zero to roughly 50% as a function of the HVAC flow rate. The results obtained also demonstrate that (i) simplified zero-dimensional approaches limit proper evaluation of the risk in such confined spaces, conversely, (ii) CFD approaches are needed to investigate the complex fluid dynamics in similar indoor environments, and, thus, (iii) the risk of infection in indoor environments characterized by fixed seats can be in principle controlled by properly designing the flow patterns of the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fausto Arpino
- Department of Civil and Mechanical EngineeringUniversity of Cassino and Southern LazioCassinoFRItaly
| | - Giorgio Grossi
- Department of Civil and Mechanical EngineeringUniversity of Cassino and Southern LazioCassinoFRItaly
| | - Gino Cortellessa
- Department of Civil and Mechanical EngineeringUniversity of Cassino and Southern LazioCassinoFRItaly
| | - Alex Mikszewski
- International Laboratory for Air Quality and HealthQueensland University of TechnologyBrisbaneQueenslandAustralia
| | - Lidia Morawska
- International Laboratory for Air Quality and HealthQueensland University of TechnologyBrisbaneQueenslandAustralia
| | - Giorgio Buonanno
- Department of Civil and Mechanical EngineeringUniversity of Cassino and Southern LazioCassinoFRItaly
- International Laboratory for Air Quality and HealthQueensland University of TechnologyBrisbaneQueenslandAustralia
| | - Luca Stabile
- Department of Civil and Mechanical EngineeringUniversity of Cassino and Southern LazioCassinoFRItaly
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Dinoi A, Feltracco M, Chirizzi D, Trabucco S, Conte M, Gregoris E, Barbaro E, La Bella G, Ciccarese G, Belosi F, La Salandra G, Gambaro A, Contini D. A review on measurements of SARS-CoV-2 genetic material in air in outdoor and indoor environments: Implication for airborne transmission. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 809:151137. [PMID: 34699823 PMCID: PMC8539199 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.151137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Revised: 10/15/2021] [Accepted: 10/17/2021] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 has been object of debate in the scientific community since the beginning of COVID-19 pandemic. This mechanism of transmission could arise from virus-laden aerosol released by infected individuals and it is influenced by several factors. Among these, the concentration and size distribution of virus-laden particles play an important role. The knowledge regarding aerosol transmission increases as new evidence is collected in different studies, even if it is not yet available a standard protocol regarding air sampling and analysis, which can create difficulties in the interpretation and application of results. This work reports a systematic review of current knowledge gained by 73 published papers on experimental determination of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in air comparing different environments: outdoors, indoor hospitals and healthcare settings, and public community indoors. Selected papers furnished 77 datasets: outdoor studies (9/77, 11.7%) and indoor studies (68/77. 88.3%). The indoor datasets in hospitals were the vast majority (58/68, 85.3%), and the remaining (10/68, 14.7%) were classified as community indoors. The fraction of studies having positive samples, as well as positivity rates (i.e. ratios between positive and total samples) are significantly larger in hospitals compared to the other typologies of sites. Contamination of surfaces was more frequent (in indoor datasets) compared to contamination of air samples; however, the average positivity rate was lower compared to that of air. Concentrations of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in air were highly variables and, on average, lower in outdoors compared to indoors. Among indoors, concentrations in community indoors appear to be lower than those in hospitals and healthcare settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adelaide Dinoi
- Istituto di Scienze dell'Atmosfera e del Clima (ISAC-CNR), Str. Prv. Lecce-Monteroni km 1.2, Lecce, Italy
| | - Matteo Feltracco
- Istituto di Scienze Polari (ISP-CNR), Via Torino 155, Venice, Mestre, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali, Informatica e Statistica, Università Ca' Foscari di Venezia, Via Torino 155, Venezia, Mestre, Italy
| | - Daniela Chirizzi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e della Basilicata (IZSPB), Via Manfredonia 20, Foggia, Italy
| | - Sara Trabucco
- Istituto di Scienze dell'Atmosfera e del Clima (ISAC-CNR), Via Gobetti 101, Bologna, Italy
| | - Marianna Conte
- Istituto di Scienze dell'Atmosfera e del Clima (ISAC-CNR), Str. Prv. Lecce-Monteroni km 1.2, Lecce, Italy; Laboratory for Observations and Analyses of Earth and Climate, Agenzia Nazionale per le Nuove Tecnologie, l'Energia e lo Sviluppo Economico Sostenibile (ENEA), 00123 Rome, Italy
| | - Elena Gregoris
- Istituto di Scienze Polari (ISP-CNR), Via Torino 155, Venice, Mestre, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali, Informatica e Statistica, Università Ca' Foscari di Venezia, Via Torino 155, Venezia, Mestre, Italy
| | - Elena Barbaro
- Istituto di Scienze Polari (ISP-CNR), Via Torino 155, Venice, Mestre, Italy; Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali, Informatica e Statistica, Università Ca' Foscari di Venezia, Via Torino 155, Venezia, Mestre, Italy
| | - Gianfranco La Bella
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e della Basilicata (IZSPB), Via Manfredonia 20, Foggia, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Ciccarese
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e della Basilicata (IZSPB), Via Manfredonia 20, Foggia, Italy
| | - Franco Belosi
- Istituto di Scienze dell'Atmosfera e del Clima (ISAC-CNR), Via Gobetti 101, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giovanna La Salandra
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e della Basilicata (IZSPB), Via Manfredonia 20, Foggia, Italy
| | - Andrea Gambaro
- Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali, Informatica e Statistica, Università Ca' Foscari di Venezia, Via Torino 155, Venezia, Mestre, Italy
| | - Daniele Contini
- Istituto di Scienze dell'Atmosfera e del Clima (ISAC-CNR), Str. Prv. Lecce-Monteroni km 1.2, Lecce, Italy.
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180
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McNeill VF. Airborne Transmission of SARS-CoV-2: Evidence and Implications for Engineering Controls. Annu Rev Chem Biomol Eng 2022; 13:123-140. [PMID: 35300517 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-chembioeng-092220-111631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Since late 2019, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread globally, causing a pandemic (coronavirus disease 2019, or COVID-19) with dire consequences, including widespread death, long-term illness, and societal and economic disruption. Although initially uncertain, evidence is now overwhelming that SARS-CoV-2 is transmitted primarily through small respiratory droplets and aerosols emitted by infected individuals. As a result, many effective nonpharmaceutical interventions for slowing virus transmission operate by blocking, filtering, or diluting respiratory aerosol, particularly in indoor environments. In this review, we discuss the evidence for airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and implications for engineering solutions to reduce transmission risk. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Volume 13 is October 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Faye McNeill
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA;
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181
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Leonardi AJ, Mishra AK. A Sanitation Argument for Clean Indoor Air: Meeting a Requisite for Safe Public Spaces. Front Public Health 2022; 10:805780. [PMID: 35237550 PMCID: PMC8883285 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.805780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Asit Kumar Mishra
- MaREI Centre, Ryan Institute & School of Engineering, College of Science and Engineering, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland
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182
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Angel DM, Gao D, DeLay K, Lin EZ, Eldred J, Arnold W, Santiago R, Redlich C, Martinello RA, Sherman JD, Peccia J, Godri Pollitt KJ. Development and Application of a Polydimethylsiloxane-Based Passive Air Sampler to Assess Personal Exposure to SARS-CoV-2. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY LETTERS 2022; 9:153-159. [PMID: 37566382 PMCID: PMC8768000 DOI: 10.1021/acs.estlett.1c00877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Exhaled respiratory droplets and aerosols can carry infectious viruses and are an important mode of transmission for COVID-19. Recent studies have been successful in detecting airborne SARS-CoV-2 RNA in indoor settings using active sampling methods. The cost, size, and maintenance of these samplers, however, limit their long-term monitoring ability in high-risk transmission areas. As an alternative, passive samplers can be small, lightweight, and inexpensive and do not require electrical power or maintenance for continual operation. Integration of passive samplers into wearable designs can be used to better understand personal exposure to the respiratory virus. This study evaluated the use of a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)-based passive sampler to assess personal exposure to aerosol and droplet SARS-CoV-2. The rate of uptake of virus-laden aerosol on PDMS was determined in lab-based rotating drum experiments to estimate time-weighted averaged airborne viral concentrations from passive sampler viral loading. The passive sampler was then embedded in a wearable clip design and distributed to community members across Connecticut to surveil personal SARS-CoV-2 exposure. The virus was detected on clips worn by five of the 62 participants (8%) with personal exposure ranging from 4 to 112 copies of SARS-CoV-2 RNA/m3, predominantly in indoor restaurant settings. Our findings demonstrate that PDMS-based passive samplers may serve as a useful exposure assessment tool for airborne viral exposure in real-world high-risk settings and provide avenues for early detection of potential cases and guidance on site-specific infection control protocols that preempt community transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darryl M. Angel
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering,
Yale School of Engineering and Applied Science, Yale
University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United
States
| | - Dong Gao
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences,
Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut 06520,
United States
| | - Kayley DeLay
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering,
Yale School of Engineering and Applied Science, Yale
University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United
States
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences,
Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut 06520,
United States
| | - Elizabeth Z. Lin
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences,
Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut 06520,
United States
| | - Jacob Eldred
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Materials
Science, Yale School of Engineering and Applied Science, Yale
University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United
States
| | - Wyatt Arnold
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering,
Yale School of Engineering and Applied Science, Yale
University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United
States
| | - Romero Santiago
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale
School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510, United
States
| | - Carrie Redlich
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale
School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510, United
States
| | - Richard A. Martinello
- Department of Internal Medicine, Yale
School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510, United
States
- Department of Infection Prevention, Yale
New Haven Health System, New Haven, Connecticut 06510, United
States
- Department of Pediatrics, Yale School of
Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510, United
States
| | - Jodi D. Sherman
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences,
Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut 06520,
United States
- Department of Anesthesiology, Yale School of
Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut 06510, United
States
| | - Jordan Peccia
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering,
Yale School of Engineering and Applied Science, Yale
University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United
States
| | - Krystal J. Godri Pollitt
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering,
Yale School of Engineering and Applied Science, Yale
University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520, United
States
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences,
Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut 06520,
United States
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183
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Truyols Vives J, Muncunill J, Toledo Pons N, Baldoví HG, Sala Llinàs E, Mercader Barceló J. SARS-CoV-2 detection in bioaerosols using a liquid impinger collector and ddPCR. INDOOR AIR 2022; 32:e13002. [PMID: 35225399 PMCID: PMC9111801 DOI: 10.1111/ina.13002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 01/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The airborne route is the dominant form of COVID-19 transmission, and therefore, the development of methodologies to quantify SARS-CoV-2 in bioaerosols is needed. We aimed to identify SARS-CoV-2 in bioaerosols by using a highly efficient sampler for the collection of 1-3 µm particles, followed by a highly sensitive detection method. 65 bioaerosol samples were collected in hospital rooms in the presence of a COVID-19 patient using a liquid impinger sampler. The SARS-CoV-2 genome was detected by ddPCR using different primer/probe sets. 44.6% of the samples resulted positive for SARS-CoV-2 following this protocol. By increasing the sampled air volume from 339 to 650 L, the percentage of positive samples went from 41% to 50%. We detected five times less positives with a commercial one-step RT-PCR assay. However, the selection of primer/probe sets might be one of the most determining factor for bioaerosol SARS-CoV-2 detection since with the ORF1ab set more than 40% of the samples were positive, compared to <10% with other sets. In conclusion, the use of a liquid impinger collector and ddPCR is an adequate strategy to detect SARS-CoV-2 in bioaerosols. However, there are still some methodological aspects that must be adjusted to optimize and standardize a definitive protocol.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joan Truyols Vives
- Molecular Biology and One Health research group (MolONE)Universitat de les Illes Balears (UIB)PalmaSpain
| | - Josep Muncunill
- Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa)Balearic IslandsSpain
| | - Núria Toledo Pons
- Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa)Balearic IslandsSpain
- Department of Pulmonary MedicineHospital Universitari Son Espases (HUSE)Balearic IslandsSpain
| | - Herme G. Baldoví
- Department of ChemistryUniversitat Politècnica de València (UPV)ValenciaSpain
| | - Ernest Sala Llinàs
- Molecular Biology and One Health research group (MolONE)Universitat de les Illes Balears (UIB)PalmaSpain
- Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa)Balearic IslandsSpain
- Department of Pulmonary MedicineHospital Universitari Son Espases (HUSE)Balearic IslandsSpain
- Biomedical Research Networking Center on Respiratory Diseases (CIBERES)MadridSpain
| | - Josep Mercader Barceló
- Molecular Biology and One Health research group (MolONE)Universitat de les Illes Balears (UIB)PalmaSpain
- Health Research Institute of the Balearic Islands (IdISBa)Balearic IslandsSpain
- Foners Medicina Veterinària i Innovació SLPPalmaSpain
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184
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Conte M, Feltracco M, Chirizzi D, Trabucco S, Dinoi A, Gregoris E, Barbaro E, La Bella G, Ciccarese G, Belosi F, La Salandra G, Gambaro A, Contini D. Airborne concentrations of SARS-CoV-2 in indoor community environments in Italy. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:13905-13916. [PMID: 34599449 PMCID: PMC8486635 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-16737-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/22/2021] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19 pandemic raised a debate regarding the role of airborne transmission. Information regarding virus-laden aerosol concentrations is still scarce in community indoors and what are the risks for general public and the efficiency of restriction policies. This work investigates, for the first time in Italy, the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in air samples collected in different community indoors (one train station, two food markets, one canteen, one shopping centre, one hair salon, and one pharmacy) in three Italian cities: metropolitan city of Venice (NE of Italy), Bologna (central Italy), and Lecce (SE of Italy). Air samples were collected during the maximum spread of the second wave of pandemic in Italy (November and December 2020). All collected samples tested negative for the presence of SARS-CoV-2, using both real-time RT-PCR and ddPCR, and no significant differences were observed comparing samples taken with and without customers. Modelling average concentrations, using influx of customers' data and local epidemiological information, indicated low values (i.e. < 0.8 copies m-3 when cotton facemasks are used and even lower for surgical facemasks). The results, even if with some limitations, suggest that the restrictive policies enforced could effectively reduce the risk of airborne transmissions in the community indoor investigated, providing that physical distance is respected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianna Conte
- Istituto di Scienze dell'Atmosfera e del Clima (ISAC-CNR), Str. Prv. Lecce-Monteroni km 1.2, Lecce, Italy
| | - Matteo Feltracco
- Istituto di Scienze Polari (ISP-CNR), Via Torino (Mestre), 155, Venice, Italy
- Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali, Informatica e Statistica, Università Ca' Foscari di Venezia, Via Torino (Mestre), 155, Venezia, Italy
| | - Daniela Chirizzi
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e della Basilicata (IZSPB), Via Manfredonia, 20, Foggia, Italy
| | - Sara Trabucco
- Istituto di Scienze dell'Atmosfera e del Clima (ISAC-CNR), Via Gobetti, 101, Bologna, Italy
| | - Adelaide Dinoi
- Istituto di Scienze dell'Atmosfera e del Clima (ISAC-CNR), Str. Prv. Lecce-Monteroni km 1.2, Lecce, Italy
| | - Elena Gregoris
- Istituto di Scienze Polari (ISP-CNR), Via Torino (Mestre), 155, Venice, Italy
- Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali, Informatica e Statistica, Università Ca' Foscari di Venezia, Via Torino (Mestre), 155, Venezia, Italy
| | - Elena Barbaro
- Istituto di Scienze Polari (ISP-CNR), Via Torino (Mestre), 155, Venice, Italy
- Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali, Informatica e Statistica, Università Ca' Foscari di Venezia, Via Torino (Mestre), 155, Venezia, Italy
| | - Gianfranco La Bella
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e della Basilicata (IZSPB), Via Manfredonia, 20, Foggia, Italy
| | - Giuseppina Ciccarese
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e della Basilicata (IZSPB), Via Manfredonia, 20, Foggia, Italy
| | - Franco Belosi
- Istituto di Scienze dell'Atmosfera e del Clima (ISAC-CNR), Via Gobetti, 101, Bologna, Italy
| | - Giovanna La Salandra
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Puglia e della Basilicata (IZSPB), Via Manfredonia, 20, Foggia, Italy
| | - Andrea Gambaro
- Dipartimento di Scienze Ambientali, Informatica e Statistica, Università Ca' Foscari di Venezia, Via Torino (Mestre), 155, Venezia, Italy
| | - Daniele Contini
- Istituto di Scienze dell'Atmosfera e del Clima (ISAC-CNR), Str. Prv. Lecce-Monteroni km 1.2, Lecce, Italy.
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185
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Gohli J, Anderson AM, Brantsæter AB, Bøifot KO, Grub C, Hadley CL, Lind A, Pettersen ES, Søraas AVL, Dybwad M. Dispersion of SARS-CoV-2 in air surrounding COVID-19-infected individuals with mild symptoms. INDOOR AIR 2022; 32:e13001. [PMID: 35225394 PMCID: PMC9111593 DOI: 10.1111/ina.13001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Since the beginning of the pandemic, the transmission modes of SARS-CoV-2-particularly the role of aerosol transmission-have been much debated. Accumulating evidence suggests that SARS-CoV-2 can be transmitted by aerosols, and not only via larger respiratory droplets. In this study, we quantified SARS-CoV-2 in air surrounding 14 test subjects in a controlled setting. All subjects had SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed by a recent positive PCR test and had mild symptoms when included in the study. RT-PCR and cell culture analyses were performed on air samples collected at distances of one, two, and four meters from test subjects. Oronasopharyngeal samples were taken from consenting test subjects and analyzed by RT-PCR. Additionally, total aerosol particles were quantified during air sampling trials. Air viral concentrations at one-meter distance were significantly correlated with both viral loads in the upper airways, mild coughing, and fever. One sample collected at four-meter distance was RT-PCR positive. No samples were successfully cultured. The results reported here have potential application for SARS-CoV-2 detection and monitoring schemes, and for increasing our understanding of SARS-CoV-2 transmission dynamics. Practical implications. In this study, quantification of SARS-CoV-2 in air was performed around infected persons with mild symptoms. Such persons may go longer before they are diagnosed and may thus be a disproportionately important epidemiological group. By correlating viral concentrations in air with behavior and symptoms, we identify potential risk factors for viral dissemination in indoor environments. We also show that quantification of total aerosol particles is not a useful strategy for monitoring SARS-CoV-2 in indoor environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jostein Gohli
- Norwegian Defence Research EstablishmentKjellerNorway
| | | | - Arne Broch Brantsæter
- Department of Infectious DiseasesNorwegian National Unit for CBRNE MedicineOslo University HospitalNydalenNorway
| | - Kari Oline Bøifot
- Norwegian Defence Research EstablishmentKjellerNorway
- Department of AnalyticsEnvironmental & Forensic SciencesKing’s College LondonLondonUK
| | - Carola Grub
- Institute of microbiologyNorwegian Armed Forces Joint Medical ServicesKjellerNorway
| | | | | | | | | | - Marius Dybwad
- Norwegian Defence Research EstablishmentKjellerNorway
- Department of AnalyticsEnvironmental & Forensic SciencesKing’s College LondonLondonUK
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186
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Charvet A, Bardin-Monnier N, Thomas D, Dufaud O, Pfrimmer M, Barrault M, Bourrous S, Mocho V, Ouf FX, Poirier S, Jeanmichel L, Segovia C, Ferry D, Grauby O. Impact of washing cycles on the performances of face masks. JOURNAL OF AEROSOL SCIENCE 2022; 160:105914. [PMID: 36530797 PMCID: PMC9749850 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaerosci.2021.105914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The tension on the supply of surgical and FFP2 masks during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic leads to study the potential reuse of these masks. As washing is easily adaptable at home, this treatment solution was retained. In this work, thirty-six references of surgical masks and four FFP2 masks were tested without being worn or washed and after several washing cycles. The results highlighted a great heterogeneity of performances depending on the mask trademarks, both for surgical masks and FFP2. The quality of the meltblown and spunbond layers and the presence/absence of electrostatic charges at the fiber surface are put forward to explain the variability of results, both on differential pressures and filtration efficiencies. The differential pressure and the particle filtration efficiency of the washed masks were maintained up to 10 washing cycles and met the standard requirements. However, an immersion in water with a detergent induces an efficiency decrease for submicronic particles. This lower performance, constant after the first washing cycle, can be explained by the loss of electrostatic charges during the washing cycle. The modifications of surface properties after washing also lead to a loss of the hydrophobic behavior of type IIR surgical masks, which can therefore no more be considered as resistant to blood projections.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Olivier Dufaud
- Université de Lorraine, CNRS, LRGP, F-54000, Nancy, France
| | | | - Mathieu Barrault
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PSN-RES, SCA, Gif-Sur-Yvette, 91192, France
| | - Soleiman Bourrous
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PSN-RES, SCA, Gif-Sur-Yvette, 91192, France
| | - Victor Mocho
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PSN-RES, SCA, Gif-Sur-Yvette, 91192, France
| | - François-Xavier Ouf
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PSN-RES, SCA, Gif-Sur-Yvette, 91192, France
| | - Stéphane Poirier
- Institut de Radioprotection et de Sûreté Nucléaire (IRSN), PSN-RES, SCA, Gif-Sur-Yvette, 91192, France
| | | | - César Segovia
- CETELOR, Université de Lorraine, F-88000, Épinal, France
| | - Daniel Ferry
- Aix-Marseille Univ, CNRS, CINaM, F-13009, Marseille, France
| | - Olivier Grauby
- Aix-Marseille Univ, CNRS, CINaM, F-13009, Marseille, France
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187
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188
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Breshears LE, Nguyen BT, Mata Robles S, Wu L, Yoon JY. Biosensor detection of airborne respiratory viruses such as SARS-CoV-2. SLAS Technol 2022; 27:4-17. [PMID: 35058206 PMCID: PMC8720388 DOI: 10.1016/j.slast.2021.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Airborne SARS-CoV-2 transmission represents a significant route for possible human infection that is not yet fully understood. Viruses in droplets and aerosols are difficult to detect because they are typically present in low amounts. In addition, the current techniques used, such as RT-PCR and virus culturing, require large amounts of time to get results. Biosensor technology can provide rapid, handheld, and point-of-care systems that can identify virus presence quickly and accurately. This paper reviews the background of airborne virus transmission and the characteristics of SARS-CoV-2, its relative risk for transmission even at distances greater than the currently suggested 6 feet (or 2 m) physical distancing. Publications on biosensor technology that may be applied to the detection of airborne SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses are also summarized. Based on the current research we believe that there is a pressing need for continued research into handheld and rapid methods for sensitive collection and detection of airborne viruses. We propose a paper-based microfluidic chip and immunofluorescence assay as one method that could be investigated as a low-cost and portable option.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lane E Breshears
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, United States
| | - Brandon T Nguyen
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, United States
| | - Samantha Mata Robles
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, United States
| | - Lillian Wu
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, United States
| | - Jeong-Yeol Yoon
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85721, United States.
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189
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Newey CR, Olausson AT, Applegate A, Reid AA, Robison RA, Grose JH. Presence and stability of SARS-CoV-2 on environmental currency and money cards in Utah reveals a lack of live virus. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0263025. [PMID: 35077511 PMCID: PMC8789161 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0263025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
The highly contagious nature of SARS-CoV-2 has led to several studies on the transmission of the virus. A little studied potential fomite of great concern in the community is currency, which has been shown to harbor microbial pathogens in several studies. Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, many businesses in the United States have limited the use of banknotes in favor of credit cards. However, SARS-CoV-2 has shown greater stability on plastic in several studies. Herein, the stability of SARS-CoV-2 at room temperature on banknotes, money cards and coins was investigated. In vitro studies with live virus suggested SARS-CoV-2 was highly unstable on banknotes, showing an initial rapid reduction in viable virus and no viral detection by 24 hours. In contrast, SARS-CoV-2 displayed increased stability on money cards with live virus detected after 48 hours. Environmental swabbing of currency and money cards on and near the campus of Brigham Young University supported these results, with no detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA on banknotes, and a low level on money cards. However, no viable virus was detected on either. These preliminary results suggest that the use of money cards over banknotes in order to slow the spread of this virus may be ill-advised. These findings should be investigated further through larger environmental studies involving more locations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colleen R. Newey
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, United States of America
| | - Abigail T. Olausson
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, United States of America
| | - Alyssa Applegate
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, United States of America
| | - Ann-Aubrey Reid
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, United States of America
| | - Richard A. Robison
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, United States of America
| | - Julianne H. Grose
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Biology, College of Life Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, United States of America
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190
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Peng Z, Rojas ALP, Kropff E, Bahnfleth W, Buonanno G, Dancer SJ, Kurnitski J, Li Y, Loomans MGLC, Marr LC, Morawska L, Nazaroff W, Noakes C, Querol X, Sekhar C, Tellier R, Greenhalgh T, Bourouiba L, Boerstra A, Tang JW, Miller SL, Jimenez JL. Practical Indicators for Risk of Airborne Transmission in Shared Indoor Environments and Their Application to COVID-19 Outbreaks. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:1125-1137. [PMID: 34985868 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c06531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Some infectious diseases, including COVID-19, can undergo airborne transmission. This may happen at close proximity, but as time indoors increases, infections can occur in shared room air despite distancing. We propose two indicators of infection risk for this situation, that is, relative risk parameter (Hr) and risk parameter (H). They combine the key factors that control airborne disease transmission indoors: virus-containing aerosol generation rate, breathing flow rate, masking and its quality, ventilation and aerosol-removal rates, number of occupants, and duration of exposure. COVID-19 outbreaks show a clear trend that is consistent with airborne infection and enable recommendations to minimize transmission risk. Transmission in typical prepandemic indoor spaces is highly sensitive to mitigation efforts. Previous outbreaks of measles, influenza, and tuberculosis were also assessed. Measles outbreaks occur at much lower risk parameter values than COVID-19, while tuberculosis outbreaks are observed at higher risk parameter values. Because both diseases are accepted as airborne, the fact that COVID-19 is less contagious than measles does not rule out airborne transmission. It is important that future outbreak reports include information on masking, ventilation and aerosol-removal rates, number of occupants, and duration of exposure, to investigate airborne transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Peng
- Dept. of Chemistry and CIRES, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - A L Pineda Rojas
- CIMA, UMI-IFAECI/CNRS, FCEyN, Universidad de Buenos Aires─UBA/CONICET, Buenos Aires C1428EGA, Argentina
| | - E Kropff
- Leloir Institute─IIBBA/CONICET, CBA, Buenos Aires C1405BWE, Argentina
| | - W Bahnfleth
- Dept. of Architectural Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - G Buonanno
- Dept. of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, Cassino 03043, Italy
| | - S J Dancer
- Dept. of Microbiology, NHS Lanarkshire, Glasgow, Scotland G75 8RG, U.K
- School of Applied Sciences, Edinburgh Napier University, Edinburgh, Scotland EH11 4BN, U.K
| | - J Kurnitski
- REHVA Technology and Research Committee, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn 19086, Estonia
| | - Y Li
- Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - M G L C Loomans
- Dept. of the Built Environment, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven 5612 AZ, The Netherlands
| | - L C Marr
- Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - L Morawska
- International Laboratory for Air Quality and Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland 4001, Australia
| | - W Nazaroff
- Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - C Noakes
- School of Civil Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K
| | - X Querol
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research, IDAEA, Spanish Research Council, CSIC, Barcelona 08034, Spain
| | - C Sekhar
- Dept. of the Built Environment, National University of Singapore , 117566 Singapore
| | - R Tellier
- Dept. of Medicine, McGill University and McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Québec H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - T Greenhalgh
- Nuffield Dept. of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford OX2 6GG, U.K
| | - L Bourouiba
- The Fluid Dynamics of Disease Transmission Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - A Boerstra
- REHVA (Federation of European Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Associations), BBA Binnenmilieu, The Hague 2501 CJ, The Netherlands
| | - J W Tang
- Dept. of Respiratory Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, U.K
| | - S L Miller
- Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - J L Jimenez
- Dept. of Chemistry and CIRES, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
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191
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Peng Z, Rojas ALP, Kropff E, Bahnfleth W, Buonanno G, Dancer SJ, Kurnitski J, Li Y, Loomans MGLC, Marr LC, Morawska L, Nazaroff W, Noakes C, Querol X, Sekhar C, Tellier R, Greenhalgh T, Bourouiba L, Boerstra A, Tang JW, Miller SL, Jimenez JL. Practical Indicators for Risk of Airborne Transmission in Shared Indoor Environments and Their Application to COVID-19 Outbreaks. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022. [PMID: 34985868 DOI: 10.1101/2021.04.21.21255898] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Some infectious diseases, including COVID-19, can undergo airborne transmission. This may happen at close proximity, but as time indoors increases, infections can occur in shared room air despite distancing. We propose two indicators of infection risk for this situation, that is, relative risk parameter (Hr) and risk parameter (H). They combine the key factors that control airborne disease transmission indoors: virus-containing aerosol generation rate, breathing flow rate, masking and its quality, ventilation and aerosol-removal rates, number of occupants, and duration of exposure. COVID-19 outbreaks show a clear trend that is consistent with airborne infection and enable recommendations to minimize transmission risk. Transmission in typical prepandemic indoor spaces is highly sensitive to mitigation efforts. Previous outbreaks of measles, influenza, and tuberculosis were also assessed. Measles outbreaks occur at much lower risk parameter values than COVID-19, while tuberculosis outbreaks are observed at higher risk parameter values. Because both diseases are accepted as airborne, the fact that COVID-19 is less contagious than measles does not rule out airborne transmission. It is important that future outbreak reports include information on masking, ventilation and aerosol-removal rates, number of occupants, and duration of exposure, to investigate airborne transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Z Peng
- Dept. of Chemistry and CIRES, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - A L Pineda Rojas
- CIMA, UMI-IFAECI/CNRS, FCEyN, Universidad de Buenos Aires─UBA/CONICET, Buenos Aires C1428EGA, Argentina
| | - E Kropff
- Leloir Institute─IIBBA/CONICET, CBA, Buenos Aires C1405BWE, Argentina
| | - W Bahnfleth
- Dept. of Architectural Engineering, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania 16802, United States
| | - G Buonanno
- Dept. of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, Cassino 03043, Italy
| | - S J Dancer
- Dept. of Microbiology, NHS Lanarkshire, Glasgow, Scotland G75 8RG, U.K
- School of Applied Sciences, Edinburgh Napier University, Edinburgh, Scotland EH11 4BN, U.K
| | - J Kurnitski
- REHVA Technology and Research Committee, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn 19086, Estonia
| | - Y Li
- Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - M G L C Loomans
- Dept. of the Built Environment, Eindhoven University of Technology, Eindhoven 5612 AZ, The Netherlands
| | - L C Marr
- Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia 24061, United States
| | - L Morawska
- International Laboratory for Air Quality and Health, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland 4001, Australia
| | - W Nazaroff
- Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, California 94720, United States
| | - C Noakes
- School of Civil Engineering, University of Leeds, Leeds LS2 9JT, U.K
| | - X Querol
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research, IDAEA, Spanish Research Council, CSIC, Barcelona 08034, Spain
| | - C Sekhar
- Dept. of the Built Environment, National University of Singapore , 117566 Singapore
| | - R Tellier
- Dept. of Medicine, McGill University and McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Québec H4A 3J1, Canada
| | - T Greenhalgh
- Nuffield Dept. of Primary Care Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford OX2 6GG, U.K
| | - L Bourouiba
- The Fluid Dynamics of Disease Transmission Laboratory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - A Boerstra
- REHVA (Federation of European Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning Associations), BBA Binnenmilieu, The Hague 2501 CJ, The Netherlands
| | - J W Tang
- Dept. of Respiratory Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, U.K
| | - S L Miller
- Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
| | - J L Jimenez
- Dept. of Chemistry and CIRES, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado 80309, United States
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192
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Abdeldayem OM, Dabbish AM, Habashy MM, Mostafa MK, Elhefnawy M, Amin L, Al-Sakkari EG, Ragab A, Rene ER. Viral outbreaks detection and surveillance using wastewater-based epidemiology, viral air sampling, and machine learning techniques: A comprehensive review and outlook. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 803:149834. [PMID: 34525746 PMCID: PMC8379898 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/18/2021] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
A viral outbreak is a global challenge that affects public health and safety. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been spreading globally, affecting millions of people worldwide, and led to significant loss of lives and deterioration of the global economy. The current adverse effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic demands finding new detection methods for future viral outbreaks. The environment's transmission pathways include and are not limited to air, surface water, and wastewater environments. The wastewater surveillance, known as wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE), can potentially monitor viral outbreaks and provide a complementary clinical testing method. Another investigated outbreak surveillance technique that has not been yet implemented in a sufficient number of studies is the surveillance of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) in the air. Artificial intelligence (AI) and its related machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) technologies are currently emerging techniques for detecting viral outbreaks using global data. To date, there are no reports that illustrate the potential of using WBE with AI to detect viral outbreaks. This study investigates the transmission pathways of SARS-CoV-2 in the environment and provides current updates on the surveillance of viral outbreaks using WBE, viral air sampling, and AI. It also proposes a novel framework based on an ensemble of ML and DL algorithms to provide a beneficial supportive tool for decision-makers. The framework exploits available data from reliable sources to discover meaningful insights and knowledge that allows researchers and practitioners to build efficient methods and protocols that accurately monitor and detect viral outbreaks. The proposed framework could provide early detection of viruses, forecast risk maps and vulnerable areas, and estimate the number of infected citizens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar M Abdeldayem
- Department of Water Supply, Sanitation and Environmental Engineering, IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, Westvest 7, 2611AX Delft, the Netherlands.
| | - Areeg M Dabbish
- Biotechnology Graduate Program, Biology Department, School of Science and Engineering, The American University in Cairo, New Cairo 11835, Egypt
| | - Mahmoud M Habashy
- Department of Water Supply, Sanitation and Environmental Engineering, IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, Westvest 7, 2611AX Delft, the Netherlands
| | - Mohamed K Mostafa
- Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Cairo 11829, Egypt
| | - Mohamed Elhefnawy
- CanmetENERGY, 1615 Lionel-Boulet Blvd, P.O. Box 4800, Varennes, Québec J3X 1P7, Canada; Department of Mathematics and Industrial Engineering, Polytechnique Montréal 2500 Chemin de Polytechnique, Montréal, Québec H3T 1J4, Canada
| | - Lobna Amin
- Department of Water Supply, Sanitation and Environmental Engineering, IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, Westvest 7, 2611AX Delft, the Netherlands; Department of Built Environment, Aalto University, PO Box 15200, FI-00076, Aalto, Finland
| | - Eslam G Al-Sakkari
- Chemical Engineering Department, Cairo University, Cairo University Road, 12613 Giza, Egypt
| | - Ahmed Ragab
- CanmetENERGY, 1615 Lionel-Boulet Blvd, P.O. Box 4800, Varennes, Québec J3X 1P7, Canada; Department of Mathematics and Industrial Engineering, Polytechnique Montréal 2500 Chemin de Polytechnique, Montréal, Québec H3T 1J4, Canada; Faculty of Electronic Engineering, Menoufia University, 32952, Menouf, Egypt
| | - Eldon R Rene
- Department of Water Supply, Sanitation and Environmental Engineering, IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, Westvest 7, 2611AX Delft, the Netherlands
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193
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Wilson AM, Sleeth DK, Schaefer C, Jones RM. Transmission of Respiratory Viral Diseases to Health Care Workers: COVID-19 as an Example. Annu Rev Public Health 2022; 43:311-330. [DOI: 10.1146/annurev-publhealth-052120-110009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Health care workers (HCWs) can acquire infectious diseases, including coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), from patients. Herein, COVID-19 is used with the source–pathway–receptor framework as an example to assess evidence for the role of aerosol transmission and indirect contact transmission of viral respiratory infectious diseases. Evidence for both routes is strong for COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses, but aerosol transmission is likely dominant for COVID-19. Key knowledge gaps about transmission processes and control strategies include the distribution of viable virus among respiratory aerosols of different sizes, the mechanisms and efficiency by which virus deposited on the facial mucous membrane moves to infection sites inside the body, and the performance of source controls such as face coverings and aerosol containment devices. To ensure that HCWs are adequately protected from infection, guidelines and regulations must be updated to reflect the evidence that respiratory viruses are transmitted via aerosols. Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Public Health, Volume 43 is April 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda M. Wilson
- Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA;, ,
- Department of Community, Environment and Policy, Mel and Enid Zuckerman College of Public Health, The University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, USA
| | - Darrah K. Sleeth
- Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA;, ,
| | - Camie Schaefer
- Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA;, ,
| | - Rachael M. Jones
- Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA;, ,
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194
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da Silva PG, Gonçalves J, Lopes AIB, Esteves NA, Bamba GEE, Nascimento MSJ, Branco PTBS, Soares RRG, Sousa SIV, Mesquita JR. Evidence of Air and Surface Contamination with SARS-CoV-2 in a Major Hospital in Portugal. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19010525. [PMID: 35010785 PMCID: PMC8744945 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19010525] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Revised: 12/27/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
As the third wave of the COVID-19 pandemic hit Portugal, it forced the country to reintroduce lockdown measures due to hospitals reaching their full capacities. Under these circumstances, environmental contamination by SARS-CoV-2 in different areas of one of Portugal's major Hospitals was assessed between 21 January and 11 February 2021. Air samples (n = 44) were collected from eleven different areas of the Hospital (four COVID-19 and seven non-COVID-19 areas) using Coriolis® μ and Coriolis® Compact cyclone air sampling devices. Surface sampling was also performed (n = 17) on four areas (one COVID-19 and three non-COVID-19 areas). RNA extraction followed by a one-step RT-qPCR adapted for quantitative purposes were performed. Of the 44 air samples, two were positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA (6575 copies/m3 and 6662.5 copies/m3, respectively). Of the 17 surface samples, three were positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA (200.6 copies/cm2, 179.2 copies/cm2, and 201.7 copies/cm2, respectively). SARS-CoV-2 environmental contamination was found both in air and on surfaces in both COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 areas. Moreover, our results suggest that longer collection sessions are needed to detect point contaminations. This reinforces the need to remain cautious at all times, not only when in close contact with infected individuals. Hand hygiene and other standard transmission-prevention guidelines should be continuously followed to avoid nosocomial COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priscilla Gomes da Silva
- ICBAS–School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Porto University, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal;
- Epidemiology Research Unit (EPIunit), Institute of Public Health, University of Porto, 4050-600 Porto, Portugal
- LEPABE–Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal; (P.T.B.S.B.); (S.I.V.S.)
| | - José Gonçalves
- Institute of Sustainable Processes, University of Valladolid, 47011 Valladolid, Spain;
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Valladolid, 47011 Valladolid, Spain
| | - Ariana Isabel Brito Lopes
- Unidade Local de Saúde do Alto Minho E.P.E., 4904-858 Viana do Castelo, Portugal; (A.I.B.L.); (N.A.E.); (G.E.E.B.)
| | - Nury Alves Esteves
- Unidade Local de Saúde do Alto Minho E.P.E., 4904-858 Viana do Castelo, Portugal; (A.I.B.L.); (N.A.E.); (G.E.E.B.)
| | - Gustavo Emanuel Enes Bamba
- Unidade Local de Saúde do Alto Minho E.P.E., 4904-858 Viana do Castelo, Portugal; (A.I.B.L.); (N.A.E.); (G.E.E.B.)
| | | | - Pedro T. B. S. Branco
- LEPABE–Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal; (P.T.B.S.B.); (S.I.V.S.)
| | - Ruben R. G. Soares
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Science for Life Laboratory, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden;
| | - Sofia I. V. Sousa
- LEPABE–Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal; (P.T.B.S.B.); (S.I.V.S.)
| | - João R. Mesquita
- ICBAS–School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, Porto University, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal;
- Epidemiology Research Unit (EPIunit), Institute of Public Health, University of Porto, 4050-600 Porto, Portugal
- Correspondence:
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195
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Characterization of the indoor near-field aerosol transmission in a model commercial office building ☆. INTERNATIONAL COMMUNICATIONS IN HEAT AND MASS TRANSFER 2022; 130. [PMCID: PMC8607437 DOI: 10.1016/j.icheatmasstransfer.2021.105745] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
To evaluate the exposure potential of infectious aerosols containing SARS-CoV-2 in an office building setting, synthetic test aerosols were used to experimental study airborne particle transmission in a multizone small office test building at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory. Nine measurement points in a single zone using active aerosol impactors report that the coefficient of variation of the time-averaged concentration is <10% in two campaigns and < 15% in one campaign, so a nearly well-mixed condition was noted. To understand the effect of HVAC system operation on the dynamic concentration of aerosols in office spaces, an aerosol transport model that includes factors such as outside air (OA) ratio, filtration, return air fraction, transport loss in air ducts, and particle deposition has been developed. The results of model fitting demonstrate strong agreement with experimental data. Our investigation finds the return air fraction effects outweigh other mechanisms for the aerosol recirculation in this study, and the impact of air change rate (ACR) is more important than the small particle deposition for aerosol removal. Because ACR dominates the aerosol transport, the full model can be simplified to just one factor, the ACR, while maintaining an acceptable representation of the experimental data.
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196
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Ang AXY, Luhung I, Ahidjo BA, Drautz‐Moses DI, Tambyah PA, Mok CK, Lau KJX, Tham SM, Chu JJH, Allen DM, Schuster SC. Airborne SARS-CoV-2 surveillance in hospital environment using high-flowrate air samplers and its comparison to surface sampling. INDOOR AIR 2022; 32:e12930. [PMID: 34519380 PMCID: PMC8653264 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Revised: 08/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Reliable methods to detect the presence of SARS-CoV-2 at venues where people gather are essential for epidemiological surveillance to guide public policy. Communal screening of air in a highly crowded space has the potential to provide early warning on the presence and potential transmission of SARS-CoV-2 as suggested by studies early in the epidemic. As hospitals and public facilities apply varying degrees of restrictions and regulations, it is important to provide multiple methodological options to enable environmental SARS-CoV-2 surveillance under different conditions. This study assessed the feasibility of using high-flowrate air samplers combined with RNA extraction kit designed for environmental sample to perform airborne SARS-CoV-2 surveillance in hospital setting, tested by RT-qPCR. The success rate of the air samples in detecting SARS-CoV-2 was then compared with surface swab samples collected in the same proximity. Additionally, positive RT-qPCR samples underwent viral culture to assess the viability of the sampled SARS-CoV-2. The study was performed in inpatient ward environments of a quaternary care university teaching hospital in Singapore housing active COVID-19 patients within the period of February to May 2020. Two types of wards were tested, naturally ventilated open-cohort ward and mechanically ventilated isolation ward. Distances between the site of air sampling and the patient cluster in the investigated wards were also recorded. No successful detection of airborne SARS-CoV-2 was recorded when 50 L/min air samplers were used. Upon increasing the sampling flowrate to 150 L/min, our results showed a high success rate in detecting the presence of SARS-CoV-2 from the air samples (72%) compared to the surface swab samples (9.6%). The positive detection rate of the air samples along with the corresponding viral load could be associated with the distance between sampling site and patient. The furthest distance from patient with PCR-positive air samples was 5.5 m. The airborne SARS-CoV-2 detection was comparable between the two types of wards with 60%-87.5% success rate. High prevalence of the virus was found in toilet areas, both on surfaces and in air. Finally, no successful culture attempt was recorded from the environmental air or surface samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia XY Ang
- Department of MedicineDivision of Infectious DiseasesNational University HospitalSingaporeSingapore
| | - Irvan Luhung
- Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences EngineeringNanyang Technological UniversitySingaporeSingapore
| | - Bintou A. Ahidjo
- Department of Microbiology and ImmunologyNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
- BSL3 Core FacilityYong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
| | - Daniela I. Drautz‐Moses
- Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences EngineeringNanyang Technological UniversitySingaporeSingapore
| | - Paul A. Tambyah
- Department of MedicineDivision of Infectious DiseasesNational University HospitalSingaporeSingapore
- Department of MedicineInfectious Disease Translational Research ProgrammeYong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
| | - Chee Keng Mok
- Department of Microbiology and ImmunologyNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
- BSL3 Core FacilityYong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
| | - Kenny JX Lau
- Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences EngineeringNanyang Technological UniversitySingaporeSingapore
| | - Sai Meng Tham
- Department of MedicineDivision of Infectious DiseasesNational University HospitalSingaporeSingapore
| | - Justin Jang Hann Chu
- Department of Microbiology and ImmunologyNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
- BSL3 Core FacilityYong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
- Department of MedicineInfectious Disease Translational Research ProgrammeYong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
| | - David M. Allen
- Department of MedicineDivision of Infectious DiseasesNational University HospitalSingaporeSingapore
- Department of MedicineInfectious Disease Translational Research ProgrammeYong Loo Lin School of MedicineNational University of SingaporeSingaporeSingapore
| | - Stephan C. Schuster
- Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences EngineeringNanyang Technological UniversitySingaporeSingapore
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197
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Xu J, Wang C, Fu SC, Chao CYH. The effect of head orientation and personalized ventilation on bioaerosol deposition from a cough. INDOOR AIR 2022; 32:e12973. [PMID: 34888956 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12973] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Head orientations directly determine movement directions of exhaled pathogen-laden droplets, while there is a lack of research about the effect of the infected person's head orientations on respiratory disease transmission during close contact. This work experimentally investigated the effect of different head orientations of an infected person (IP) on the bioaerosol deposition on a healthy person (HP) during close contact. Also, the effectiveness of PV flow in reducing bioaerosol deposition on the HP under the IP's different head orientations was investigated. Bacteriophage T3 was employed to represent viruses inside the cough-generated aerosols. The bioaerosol depositions on different locations of the HP's upper body (chest, shoulder, and neck) and face (chin, mucous membranes, cheek, and forehead) were characterized by a cultivation method. Results showed that the IP's different head orientations resulted in significantly different deposition density on the HP. PV flow could reduce the bioaerosol deposition remarkably for most cases investigated. The effectiveness of PV flow in reducing deposition on the HP was significantly affected by the IP's head orientations. Findings suggest that changing head orientations can be a control measure to reduce the bioaerosol deposition. Personalized ventilation can be a potential method to reduce the bioaerosol deposition on the HP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingcui Xu
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
| | - Cunteng Wang
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Sau Chung Fu
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Christopher Y H Chao
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Building Environment and Energy Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China
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198
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McNeill VF, Corsi R, Huffman JA, King C, Klein R, Lamore M, Maeng DY, Miller SL, Lee Ng N, Olsiewski P, Godri Pollitt KJ, Segalman R, Sessions A, Squires T, Westgate S. Room-level ventilation in schools and universities. ATMOSPHERIC ENVIRONMENT: X 2022; 13:100152. [PMID: 35098105 PMCID: PMC8789458 DOI: 10.1016/j.aeaoa.2022.100152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2022] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Ventilation is of primary concern for maintaining healthy indoor air quality and reducing the spread of airborne infectious disease, including COVID-19. In addition to building-level guidelines, increased attention is being placed on room-level ventilation. However, for many universities and schools, ventilation data on a room-by-room basis are not available for classrooms and other key spaces. We present an overview of approaches for measuring ventilation along with their advantages and disadvantages. We also present data from recent case studies for a variety of institutions across the United States, with various building ages, types, locations, and climates, highlighting their commonalities and differences, and examples of the use of this data to support decision making.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Faye McNeill
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10027, USA
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10027, USA
| | - Richard Corsi
- College of Engineering, University of California, Davis, CA, 95616, USA
| | - J Alex Huffman
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Denver, Denver, CO, 80208, USA
| | - Cathleen King
- Environmental Health and Safety, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - Robert Klein
- Occupational Health & Environmental Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
- Coastal Safety, LLC, Clinton, CT, 06413, USA
| | - Michael Lamore
- Facilities Utilities and Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
| | - Do Young Maeng
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY, 10027, USA
| | - Shelly L Miller
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, Boulder, CO, 80309, USA
| | - Nga Lee Ng
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
- School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
| | - Paula Olsiewski
- Center for Health Security, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, 21202, USA
| | - Krystal J Godri Pollitt
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT, 06520, USA
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale School of Engineering and Applied Science, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA
| | - Rachel Segalman
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106, USA
- Department of Materials, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106, USA
| | - Alex Sessions
- Department of Geology and Planetary Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA, 91125, USA
| | - Todd Squires
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, CA, 93106, USA
| | - Sabrina Westgate
- School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332, USA
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199
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Compendium of analytical methods for sampling, characterization and quantification of bioaerosols. ADV ECOL RES 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/bs.aecr.2022.09.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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200
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Ang AX, Luhung I, Ahidjo BA, Drautz-Moses DI, Tambyah PA, Mok CK, Lau KJ, Tham SM, Chu JJH, Allen DM, Schuster SC. Airborne SARS-CoV-2 surveillance in hospital environment using high-flowrate air samplers and its comparison to surface sampling. INDOOR AIR 2022; 32:e12930. [PMID: 34519380 DOI: 10.1111/ina.v32.110.1111/ina.12930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2021] [Revised: 08/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/02/2021] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Reliable methods to detect the presence of SARS-CoV-2 at venues where people gather are essential for epidemiological surveillance to guide public policy. Communal screening of air in a highly crowded space has the potential to provide early warning on the presence and potential transmission of SARS-CoV-2 as suggested by studies early in the epidemic. As hospitals and public facilities apply varying degrees of restrictions and regulations, it is important to provide multiple methodological options to enable environmental SARS-CoV-2 surveillance under different conditions. This study assessed the feasibility of using high-flowrate air samplers combined with RNA extraction kit designed for environmental sample to perform airborne SARS-CoV-2 surveillance in hospital setting, tested by RT-qPCR. The success rate of the air samples in detecting SARS-CoV-2 was then compared with surface swab samples collected in the same proximity. Additionally, positive RT-qPCR samples underwent viral culture to assess the viability of the sampled SARS-CoV-2. The study was performed in inpatient ward environments of a quaternary care university teaching hospital in Singapore housing active COVID-19 patients within the period of February to May 2020. Two types of wards were tested, naturally ventilated open-cohort ward and mechanically ventilated isolation ward. Distances between the site of air sampling and the patient cluster in the investigated wards were also recorded. No successful detection of airborne SARS-CoV-2 was recorded when 50 L/min air samplers were used. Upon increasing the sampling flowrate to 150 L/min, our results showed a high success rate in detecting the presence of SARS-CoV-2 from the air samples (72%) compared to the surface swab samples (9.6%). The positive detection rate of the air samples along with the corresponding viral load could be associated with the distance between sampling site and patient. The furthest distance from patient with PCR-positive air samples was 5.5 m. The airborne SARS-CoV-2 detection was comparable between the two types of wards with 60%-87.5% success rate. High prevalence of the virus was found in toilet areas, both on surfaces and in air. Finally, no successful culture attempt was recorded from the environmental air or surface samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia Xy Ang
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Irvan Luhung
- Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Bintou A Ahidjo
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- BSL3 Core Facility, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Daniela I Drautz-Moses
- Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Paul A Tambyah
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Medicine, Infectious Disease Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Chee Keng Mok
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- BSL3 Core Facility, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Kenny Jx Lau
- Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Sai Meng Tham
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Justin Jang Hann Chu
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- BSL3 Core Facility, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Medicine, Infectious Disease Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - David M Allen
- Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, National University Hospital, Singapore, Singapore
- Department of Medicine, Infectious Disease Translational Research Programme, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Stephan C Schuster
- Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
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