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Myung H, Joung YS. Contribution of Particulates to Airborne Disease Transmission and Severity: A Review. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:6846-6867. [PMID: 38568611 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c08835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/24/2024]
Abstract
The emergence of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has catalyzed great interest in the spread of airborne pathogens. Airborne infectious diseases are classified into viral, bacterial, and fungal infections. Environmental factors can elevate their transmission and lethality. Air pollution has been reported as the leading environmental cause of disease and premature death worldwide. Notably, ambient particulates of various components and sizes are harmful pollutants. There are two prominent health effects of particles in the atmosphere: (1) particulate matter (PM) penetrates the respiratory tract and adversely affects health, such as heart and respiratory diseases; and (2) bioaerosols of particles act as a medium for the spread of pathogens in the air. Particulates contribute to the occurrence of infectious diseases by increasing vulnerability to infection through inhalation and spreading disease through interactions with airborne pathogens. Here, we focus on the synergistic effects of airborne particulates on infectious disease. We outline the concepts and characteristics of bioaerosols, from their generation to transformation and circulation on Earth. Considering that microorganisms coexist with other particulates as bioaerosols, we investigate studies examining respiratory infections associated with airborne PM. Furthermore, we discuss four factors (meteorological, biological, physical, and chemical) that may impact the influence of PM on the survival of contagious pathogens in the atmosphere. Our review highlights the significant role of particulates in supporting the transmission of infectious aerosols and emphasizes the need for further research in this area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyunji Myung
- Department of Mechanical Systems Engineering, Sookmyung Women's University, 100, Cheongpa-ro 47-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul 04310, Republic of Korea
| | - Young Soo Joung
- Department of Mechanical Systems Engineering, Sookmyung Women's University, 100, Cheongpa-ro 47-gil, Yongsan-gu, Seoul 04310, Republic of Korea
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Zhang Z, Ersan MS, Westerhoff P, Herckes P. Do Surface Charges on Polymeric Filters and Airborne Particles Control the Removal of Nanoscale Aerosols by Polymeric Facial Masks? TOXICS 2023; 12:3. [PMID: 38276716 PMCID: PMC10821015 DOI: 10.3390/toxics12010003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
The emergence of facial masks as a critical health intervention to prevent the spread of airborne disease and protect from occupational nanomaterial exposure highlights the need for fundamental insights into the interaction of nanoparticles (<200 nm) with modern polymeric mask filter materials. While most research focuses on the filtration efficiency of airborne particles by facial masks based on pore sizes, pressure drop, or humidity, only a few studies focus on the importance of aerosol surface charge versus filter surface charge and their role in the net particle filtration efficiency of mask filters. In this study, experiments were conducted to assess mask filter filtration efficiency using positively and negatively charged polystyrene particles (150 nm) as challenge aerosols at varying humidity levels. Commercial masks with surface potential (Ψf) in the range of -10 V to -800 V were measured by an electrostatic voltmeter and used for testing. Results show that the mask filtration efficiency is highly dependent on the mask surface potential as well as the charge on the challenge aerosol, ranging from 60% to 98%. Eliminating the surface charge results in a maximum 43% decrease in filtration efficiency, emphasizing the importance of electrostatic charge interactions during the particle capture process. Moreover, increased humidity can decrease the surface charge on filters, thereby decreasing the mask filtration efficiency. The knowledge gained from this study provides insight into the critical role of electrostatic attraction in nanoparticle capture mechanisms and benefits future occupational and environmental health studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaobo Zhang
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85297-1604, USA;
| | - Mahmut S. Ersan
- NSF Nanosystems Engineering Research Center for Nanotechnology-Enabled Water Treatment, School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-3005, USA; (M.S.E.); (P.W.)
- Department of Civil Engineering, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, ND 58202-8115, USA
| | - Paul Westerhoff
- NSF Nanosystems Engineering Research Center for Nanotechnology-Enabled Water Treatment, School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-3005, USA; (M.S.E.); (P.W.)
| | - Pierre Herckes
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85297-1604, USA;
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Ijaz MK, Sattar SA, Nims RW, Boone SA, McKinney J, Gerba CP. Environmental dissemination of respiratory viruses: dynamic interdependencies of respiratory droplets, aerosols, aerial particulates, environmental surfaces, and contribution of viral re-aerosolization. PeerJ 2023; 11:e16420. [PMID: 38025703 PMCID: PMC10680453 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.16420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
During the recent pandemic of COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2), influential public health agencies such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have favored the view that SARS CoV-2 spreads predominantly via droplets. Many experts in aerobiology have openly opposed that stance, forcing a vigorous debate on the topic. In this review, we discuss the various proposed modes of viral transmission, stressing the interdependencies between droplet, aerosol, and fomite spread. Relative humidity and temperature prevailing determine the rates at which respiratory aerosols and droplets emitted from an expiratory event (sneezing, coughing, etc.) evaporate to form smaller droplets or aerosols, or experience hygroscopic growth. Gravitational settling of droplets may result in contamination of environmental surfaces (fomites). Depending upon human, animal and mechanical activities in the occupied space indoors, viruses deposited on environmental surfaces may be re-aerosolized (re-suspended) to contribute to aerosols, and can be conveyed on aerial particulate matter such as dust and allergens. The transmission of respiratory viruses may then best be viewed as resulting from dynamic virus spread from infected individuals to susceptible individuals by various physical states of active respiratory emissions, instead of the current paradigm that emphasizes separate dissemination by respiratory droplets, aerosols or by contaminated fomites. To achieve the optimum outcome in terms of risk mitigation and infection prevention and control (IPAC) during seasonal infection peaks, outbreaks, and pandemics, this holistic view emphasizes the importance of dealing with all interdependent transmission modalities, rather than focusing on one modality.
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Affiliation(s)
- M. Khalid Ijaz
- Global Research & Development for Lysol and Dettol, Reckitt Benckiser LLC, Montvale, NJ, United States of America
| | - Syed A. Sattar
- Department of Biochemistry, Microbiology & Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Stephanie A. Boone
- Water & Energy Sustainable Technology Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States of America
| | - Julie McKinney
- Global Research & Development for Lysol and Dettol, Reckitt Benckiser LLC, Montvale, NJ, United States of America
| | - Charles P. Gerba
- Water & Energy Sustainable Technology Center, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States of America
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Guo L, Zhao P, Jia Y, Wang Z, Chen M, Zhang H, Liu D, Zhang Y, Wang X, Rong M. Inactivation of airborne pathogenic microorganisms by plasma-activated nebulized mist. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 459:132072. [PMID: 37480605 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/14/2023] [Indexed: 07/24/2023]
Abstract
The airborne microorganisms in the aerosols are one main transmission way of pathogenic microorganisms and therefore inactivation of microorganisms in aerosols could effectively prevent the transmission of pathogenic microorganisms to control epidemics. The mist nebulized by plasma-activated air could effectively inactivate bacteria and could be developed for the sterilization of microorganisms in aerosols. In this study, the plasma-activated nebulized mist (PANM) was applied for the inactivation of microorganisms in aerosols and efficiently inactivated the bacteria, yeast, and viruses in aerosols after 2-min treatment. The PANM treatment caused morphologic changes and damage to the bacteria cells in aerosols. The PANM could also inactivate the microorganisms attached to the surface of the treatment chamber and the bacteria attached to the skin of mice within 6-min treatment. The biosafety assays demonstrated that the PANM treatment exhibited no effects on the behavior, hematological and serum biochemical parameters of blood, and organs from the mice. This study would supply an efficient, broad-spectrum, and safe aerosol sterilization strategy based on plasma technology to prevent the transmission of airborne microorganisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Electrical Insulation and Power Equipment, Center for Plasma Biomedicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, PR China
| | - Pengyu Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Electrical Insulation and Power Equipment, Center for Plasma Biomedicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, PR China
| | - Yikang Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Electrical Insulation and Power Equipment, Center for Plasma Biomedicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, PR China
| | - Zifeng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Electrical Insulation and Power Equipment, Center for Plasma Biomedicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, PR China
| | - Min Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Electrical Insulation and Power Equipment, Center for Plasma Biomedicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, PR China
| | - Hao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Electrical Insulation and Power Equipment, Center for Plasma Biomedicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, PR China
| | - Dingxin Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Electrical Insulation and Power Equipment, Center for Plasma Biomedicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, PR China.
| | - Yong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Electrical Insulation and Power Equipment, School of Electrical Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, PR China
| | - Xiaohua Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Electrical Insulation and Power Equipment, Center for Plasma Biomedicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, PR China
| | - Mingzhe Rong
- State Key Laboratory of Electrical Insulation and Power Equipment, Center for Plasma Biomedicine, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, PR China
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