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Hu CP, Cheng JH. Challenges and Actions of IAQ under COVID-19: A Survey of Taiwanese People's Perception of Epidemic Prevention and Indoor Places Certification. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:14942. [PMID: 36429667 PMCID: PMC9690431 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192214942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2022] [Revised: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
COVID-19 is still spreading around the world, and the pandemic has awakened the public's attention to environmental cleanliness. This article used an online survey for people living in Taiwan, and a total of 1206 valid questionnaires were collected in October 2021. According to the survey results of Taiwanese people's awareness of and needs for epidemic prevention and IAQ, 94.4% of the respondents agreed that maintaining IAQ during the COVID-19 pandemic is very important for prevention. In addition, 95.4% of them also pointed out that the "Clean and Safe" mark certification should be promoted in public places. Finally, this article also uses hierarchical regression to analyze public perceptions of seven indoor places, including elevators, restaurants, dwellings, offices, gyms, kindergartens, and long-term care centers. The results found that: (1) from the perspective of epidemic prevention, improving IAQ through ventilation strategies could prevent the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic, and (2) from the perspective of promotion certification, the elevators, restaurants and offices could establish strengthened IAQ, dwellings, gyms and long-term care centers should emphasize the display of IAQ information in entrances and exits, and kindergartens should focus on increasing safety and reducing infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chih-Pei Hu
- Department of Public Administration, Chung Hua University, Hsinchu 30012, Taiwan
| | - Jen-Hsiung Cheng
- Taiwan Indoor Environment Quality Management Association, New Taipei City 23555, Taiwan
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Nair AN, Anand P, George A, Mondal N. A review of strategies and their effectiveness in reducing indoor airborne transmission and improving indoor air quality. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 213:113579. [PMID: 35714688 PMCID: PMC9192357 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.113579] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Airborne transmission arises through the inhalation of aerosol droplets exhaled by an infected person and is now thought to be the primary transmission route of COVID-19. Thus, maintaining adequate indoor air quality levels is vital in mitigating the spread of the airborne virus. The cause-and-effect flow of various agents involved in airborne transmission of viruses has been investigated through a systematic literature review. It has been identified that the airborne virus can stay infectious in the air for hours, and pollutants such as particulate matter (PM10, PM2.5), Nitrogen dioxide (NO2), Sulphur dioxide (SO2), Carbon monoxide (CO), Ozone (O3), Carbon dioxide (CO2), and Total Volatile Organic Compounds (TVOCs) and other air pollutants can enhance the incidence, spread and mortality rates of viral disease. Also, environmental quality parameters such as humidity and temperature have shown considerable influence in virus transmission in indoor spaces. The measures adopted in different research studies that can curb airborne transmission of viruses for an improved Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) have been collated for their effectiveness and limitations. A diverse set of building strategies, components, and operation techniques from the recent literature pertaining to the ongoing spread of COVID-19 disease has been systematically presented to understand the current state of techniques and building systems that can minimize the viral spread in built spaces This comprehensive review will help architects, builders, realtors, and other organizations improve or design a resilient building system to deal with COVID-19 or any such pandemic in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajith N Nair
- Department of Architecture and Regional Planning, IIT, Kharagpur, India
| | - Prashant Anand
- Department of Architecture and Regional Planning, IIT, Kharagpur, India.
| | - Abraham George
- Department of Architecture and Regional Planning, IIT, Kharagpur, India
| | - Nilabhra Mondal
- Department of Architecture and Regional Planning, IIT, Kharagpur, India
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Kawasaki T, Kikuta K, Hayashi M, Bando M, Hasegawa K, Sawachi T. A comprehensive survey analysis focusing on the effect of living literacy on residential environment and health recognition under COVID-19 in Japan. INDOOR AIR 2022; 32:e13136. [PMID: 36305068 PMCID: PMC9828527 DOI: 10.1111/ina.13136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Appropriate knowledge and actions of residents in housing are expected to reduce health effects, defined as "living literacy." With the spread of COVID-19 and the diversification of lifestyles, a quantitative evaluation of a comprehensive model that includes living literacy in the housing environment is required. In this study, the author conducted two web-based surveys of approximately 2000 different households in Japan during the summer of 2020 and winter of 2021, and a statistical analysis based on the survey results. As a result, ventilation by opening windows was observed as a new resident behavior trend under COVID-19. In addition, structural equation modeling using the survey samples confirmed the certain relationship between living literacy and subjective evaluation of the indoor environment and health effects in both periods.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Koki Kikuta
- Faculty of EngineeringHokkaido UniversitySapporoJapan
| | | | - Michiko Bando
- Department of Environmental HealthNational Institute of Public HealthWakoJapan
| | - Kenichi Hasegawa
- Faculty of Systems Science and TechnologyAkita Prefectural UniversityYurihonjoJapan
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Zhao X, Liu S, Yin Y, Zhang T(T, Chen Q. Airborne transmission of COVID-19 virus in enclosed spaces: An overview of research methods. INDOOR AIR 2022; 32:e13056. [PMID: 35762235 PMCID: PMC9349854 DOI: 10.1111/ina.13056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Since the outbreak of COVID-19 in December 2019, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS CoV-2) has spread worldwide. This study summarized the transmission mechanisms of COVID-19 and their main influencing factors, such as airflow patterns, air temperature, relative humidity, and social distancing. The transmission characteristics in existing cases are providing more and more evidence that SARS CoV-2 can be transmitted through the air. This investigation reviewed probabilistic and deterministic research methods, such as the Wells-Riley equation, the dose-response model, the Monte-Carlo model, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) with the Eulerian method, CFD with the Lagrangian method, and the experimental approach, that have been used for studying the airborne transmission mechanism. The Wells-Riley equation and dose-response model are typically used for the assessment of the average infection risk. Only in combination with the Eulerian method or the Lagrangian method can these two methods obtain the spatial distribution of airborne particles' concentration and infection risk. In contrast with the Eulerian and Lagrangian methods, the Monte-Carlo model is suitable for studying the infection risk when the behavior of individuals is highly random. Although researchers tend to use numerical methods to study the airborne transmission mechanism of COVID-19, an experimental approach could often provide stronger evidence to prove the possibility of airborne transmission than a simple numerical model. All in all, the reviewed methods are helpful in the study of the airborne transmission mechanism of COVID-19 and epidemic prevention and control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingwang Zhao
- School of Energy and EnvironmentSoutheast UniversityNanjingChina
| | - Sumei Liu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Indoor Air Environmental Quality ControlSchool of Environmental Science and EngineeringTianjin UniversityTianjinChina
| | - Yonggao Yin
- School of Energy and EnvironmentSoutheast UniversityNanjingChina
- Engineering Research Center of Building Equipment, Energy, and EnvironmentMinistry of EducationNanjingChina
| | - Tengfei (Tim) Zhang
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Indoor Air Environmental Quality ControlSchool of Environmental Science and EngineeringTianjin UniversityTianjinChina
| | - Qingyan Chen
- Department of Building Environment and Energy EngineeringThe Hong Kong Polytechnic UniversityKowloonHong Kong SARChina
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Comparison of Indoor Environment and Energy Consumption before and after Spread of COVID-19 in Schools in Japanese Cold-Climate Region. ENERGIES 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/en15051781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
A report released by the WHO indicates that aerosols from infected people are one of the major sources of the spread of COVID-19. Therefore, as the COVID-19 infection caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus spreads, it has become necessary to reconsider the design and operation of buildings. Inside school buildings in cold regions, not only is it not easy to increase ventilation during the winter, but it may also be difficult for students to attend classes while wearing masks during the summer because such buildings are not equipped with air-conditioning systems. In short, school buildings in cold climates have more problems than those in warm climates. We report on the results of indoor environmental measurement using our developed CO2-concentration meters, a questionnaire survey on students’ feeling of being hot or cold (i.e., ‘thermal sensation’), and a comparison of energy consumption before and after the spread of COVID-19 infection in schools in Sapporo, Japan, a cold-climate area. The results indicate that (1) more than 70% of the students participated in window ventilation by the CO2 meter, and (2) a relatively good indoor environment was maintained through the efforts of teachers and students. However, we also found that (1) 90% of the students felt hot in summer and (2) 40% felt cold in winter, (3) energy efficiency worsened by 7% due to increased ventilation, and (4) air quality was not as clean as desired during the coldest months of the year. Therefore, investment in insulation and air conditioning systems for school buildings is needed.
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Seposo X, Madaniyazi L, Ng CFS, Hashizume M, Honda Y. COVID-19 pandemic modifies temperature and heat-related illness ambulance transport association in Japan: a nationwide observational study. Environ Health 2021; 20:122. [PMID: 34857008 PMCID: PMC8637525 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-021-00808-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND During the COVID-19 pandemic, several illnesses were reduced. In Japan, heat-related illnesses were reduced by 22% compared to pre-pandemic period. However, it is uncertain as to what has led to this reduction. Here, we model the association of maximum temperature and heat-related illnesses in the 47 Japanese prefectures. We specifically examined how the exposure and lag associations varied before and during the pandemic. METHODS We obtained the summer-specific, daily heat-related illness ambulance transport (HIAT), exposure variable (maximum temperature) and covariate data from relevant data sources. We utilized a stratified (pre-pandemic and pandemic), two-stage approach. In each stratified group, we estimated the 1) prefecture-level association using a quasi-Poisson regression coupled with a distributed lag non-linear model, which was 2) pooled using a random-effects meta-analysis. The difference between pooled pre-pandemic and pandemic associations was examined across the exposure and the lag dimensions. RESULTS A total of 321,655 HIAT cases was recorded in Japan from 2016 to 2020. We found an overall reduction of heat-related risks for HIAT during the pandemic, with a wide range of reduction (10.85 to 57.47%) in the HIAT risk, across exposure levels ranging from 21.69 °C to 36.31 °C. On the contrary, we found an increment in the delayed heat-related risks during the pandemic at Lag 2 (16.33%; 95% CI: 1.00, 33.98%). CONCLUSION This study provides evidence of the impact of COVID-19, particularly on the possible roles of physical interventions and behavioral changes, in modifying the temperature-health association. These findings would have implications on subsequent policies or heat-related warning strategies in light of ongoing or future pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xerxes Seposo
- Nagasaki University School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Lina Madaniyazi
- Nagasaki University School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nagasaki, Japan
- Department of Paediatric Infectious Diseases, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| | - Chris Fook Sheng Ng
- Nagasaki University School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nagasaki, Japan
- Department of Global Health Policy, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masahiro Hashizume
- Nagasaki University School of Tropical Medicine and Global Health, Nagasaki, Japan
- Department of Paediatric Infectious Diseases, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
- Department of Global Health Policy, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasushi Honda
- Faculty of Health and Sport Sciences, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
- National Institute for Environmental Studies, Tsukuba, Japan
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Azuma K, Yanagi U, Kagi N, Kim H, Ogata M, Hayashi M. Environmental factors involved in SARS-CoV-2 transmission: effect and role of indoor environmental quality in the strategy for COVID-19 infection control. Environ Health Prev Med 2020; 25:66. [PMID: 33143660 PMCID: PMC7607900 DOI: 10.1186/s12199-020-00904-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 110] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Accepted: 10/25/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a new zoonotic agent that emerged in December 2019, causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This infection can be spread by asymptomatic, presymptomatic, and symptomatic carriers. SARS-CoV-2 spreads primarily via respiratory droplets during close person-to-person contact in a closed space, especially a building. This article summarizes the environmental factors involved in SARS-CoV-2 transmission, including a strategy to prevent SARS-CoV-2 transmission in a building environment. SARS-CoV-2 can persist on surfaces of fomites for at least 3 days depending on the conditions. If SARS-CoV-2 is aerosolized intentionally, it is stable for at least several hours. SARS-CoV-2 is inactivated rapidly on surfaces with sunlight. Close-contact aerosol transmission through smaller aerosolized particles is likely to be combined with respiratory droplets and contact transmission in a confined, crowded, and poorly ventilated indoor environment, as suggested by some cluster cases. Although evidence of the effect of aerosol transmission is limited and uncertainty remains, adequate preventive measures to control indoor environmental quality are required, based on a precautionary approach, because COVID-19 has caused serious global damages to public health, community, and the social economy. The expert panel for COVID-19 in Japan has focused on the "3 Cs," namely, "closed spaces with poor ventilation," "crowded spaces with many people," and "close contact." In addition, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan has been recommending adequate ventilation in all closed spaces in accordance with the existing standards of the Law for Maintenance of Sanitation in Buildings as one of the initial political actions to prevent the spread of COVID-19. However, specific standards for indoor environmental quality control have not been recommended and many scientific uncertainties remain regarding the infection dynamics and mode of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in closed indoor spaces. Further research and evaluation are required regarding the effect and role of indoor environmental quality control, especially ventilation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenichi Azuma
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Behavioral Science, Faculty of Medicine, Kindai University, 377-2 Ohnohigashi, Osakasayama, 589-8511 Japan
| | - U Yanagi
- Department of Architecture, School of Architecture, Kogakuin University, Tokyo, 163-8677 Japan
| | - Naoki Kagi
- Department of Architecture and Building Engineering, School of Environment and Society, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo, 152-8550 Japan
| | - Hoon Kim
- Department of Environmental Health, National Institute of Public Health, Wako, 351-0197 Japan
| | - Masayuki Ogata
- Department of Architecture and Building Engineering, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo, 192-0397 Japan
| | - Motoya Hayashi
- Laboratory of Environmental Space Design, Division of Architecture, Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-6826 Japan
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Azuma K, Yanagi U, Kagi N, Kim H, Ogata M, Hayashi M. Environmental factors involved in SARS-CoV-2 transmission: effect and role of indoor environmental quality in the strategy for COVID-19 infection control. Environ Health Prev Med 2020. [PMID: 33143660 DOI: 10.1186/s12199-020-00904-2/tables/5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/21/2023] Open
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), a new zoonotic agent that emerged in December 2019, causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This infection can be spread by asymptomatic, presymptomatic, and symptomatic carriers. SARS-CoV-2 spreads primarily via respiratory droplets during close person-to-person contact in a closed space, especially a building. This article summarizes the environmental factors involved in SARS-CoV-2 transmission, including a strategy to prevent SARS-CoV-2 transmission in a building environment. SARS-CoV-2 can persist on surfaces of fomites for at least 3 days depending on the conditions. If SARS-CoV-2 is aerosolized intentionally, it is stable for at least several hours. SARS-CoV-2 is inactivated rapidly on surfaces with sunlight. Close-contact aerosol transmission through smaller aerosolized particles is likely to be combined with respiratory droplets and contact transmission in a confined, crowded, and poorly ventilated indoor environment, as suggested by some cluster cases. Although evidence of the effect of aerosol transmission is limited and uncertainty remains, adequate preventive measures to control indoor environmental quality are required, based on a precautionary approach, because COVID-19 has caused serious global damages to public health, community, and the social economy. The expert panel for COVID-19 in Japan has focused on the "3 Cs," namely, "closed spaces with poor ventilation," "crowded spaces with many people," and "close contact." In addition, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan has been recommending adequate ventilation in all closed spaces in accordance with the existing standards of the Law for Maintenance of Sanitation in Buildings as one of the initial political actions to prevent the spread of COVID-19. However, specific standards for indoor environmental quality control have not been recommended and many scientific uncertainties remain regarding the infection dynamics and mode of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in closed indoor spaces. Further research and evaluation are required regarding the effect and role of indoor environmental quality control, especially ventilation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kenichi Azuma
- Department of Environmental Medicine and Behavioral Science, Faculty of Medicine, Kindai University, 377-2 Ohnohigashi, Osakasayama, 589-8511, Japan.
| | - U Yanagi
- Department of Architecture, School of Architecture, Kogakuin University, Tokyo, 163-8677, Japan
| | - Naoki Kagi
- Department of Architecture and Building Engineering, School of Environment and Society, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo, 152-8550, Japan
| | - Hoon Kim
- Department of Environmental Health, National Institute of Public Health, Wako, 351-0197, Japan
| | - Masayuki Ogata
- Department of Architecture and Building Engineering, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo, 192-0397, Japan
| | - Motoya Hayashi
- Laboratory of Environmental Space Design, Division of Architecture, Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, 060-6826, Japan
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