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Lin N, Zhang B, Shi R, Gao Y, Wang Z, Ling Z, Tian Y. Decay pattern of SARS-CoV-2 RNA surface contamination in real residences. Sci Rep 2024; 14:6190. [PMID: 38486016 PMCID: PMC10940586 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-54445-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024] Open
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has provided valuable lessons that deserve deep thought to prepare for the future. The decay pattern of surface contamination by SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the residences of COVID-19 patients is important but still unknown. We collected 2,233 surface samples from 21 categories of objects in 141 residences of COVID-19 patients in Shanghai when attacked by the omicron variant in spring 2022. Several characteristics of the patients and their residences were investigated to identify relevant associations. The decay of contamination was explored to determine the persistence. Approximately 8.7% of the surface samples were tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA. The basin, water tap, and sewer inlet had the highest positive rates, all exceeding 20%. Only time was significantly associated with the level of surface contamination with SARS-CoV-2, showing a negative association. The decrease fit a first-order decay model with a decay rate of 0.77 ± 0.07 day-1, suggesting a 90% reduction in three days. Positive associations between the cumulative number of newly diagnosed patients in the same building and the positive rate of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the public corridor were significant during the three days. Our results, in conjunction with the likely lower infectivity or viability, demonstrate that fomite transmission played a limited role in COVID-19 spread. The time determined SARS-CoV-2 RNA contamination, which was reduced by three days. This study is the first to show the decay patterns of SARS-CoV-2 contamination in real residential environments, providing insight into the patterns of transmission, as well as community-based prevention and control of similar threats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Lin
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 280 South Chongqing Rd, Shanghai, 200025, People's Republic of China
| | - Bo Zhang
- Huangpu Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 309 Xietu Rd, Shanghai, 200023, People's Republic of China
| | - Rong Shi
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 280 South Chongqing Rd, Shanghai, 200025, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu Gao
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 280 South Chongqing Rd, Shanghai, 200025, People's Republic of China
| | - Zixia Wang
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 280 South Chongqing Rd, Shanghai, 200025, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhiyi Ling
- Huangpu Center for Disease Control and Prevention, 309 Xietu Rd, Shanghai, 200023, People's Republic of China.
| | - Ying Tian
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 280 South Chongqing Rd, Shanghai, 200025, People's Republic of China.
- MOE-Shanghai Key Laboratory of Children's Environmental Health, Xin Hua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200092, People's Republic of China.
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Zhang Y, Shankar SN, Vass WB, Lednicky JA, Fan ZH, Agdas D, Makuch R, Wu CY. Air Change Rate and SARS-CoV-2 Exposure in Hospitals and Residences: A Meta-Analysis. AEROSOL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR AEROSOL RESEARCH 2024; 58:217-243. [PMID: 38764553 PMCID: PMC11101186 DOI: 10.1080/02786826.2024.2312178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/21/2024]
Abstract
As SARS-CoV-2 swept across the globe, increased ventilation and implementation of air cleaning were emphasized by the US CDC and WHO as important strategies to reduce the risk of inhalation exposure to the virus. To assess whether higher ventilation and air cleaning rates lead to lower exposure risk to SARS-CoV-2, 1274 manuscripts published between April 2020 and September 2022 were screened using key words "airborne SARS-CoV-2 or "SARS-CoV-2 aerosol". Ninety-three studies involved air sampling at locations with known sources (hospitals and residences) were selected and associated data were compiled. Two metrics were used to assess exposure risk: SARS-CoV-2 concentration and SARS-CoV-2 detection rate in air samples. Locations were categorized by type (hospital or residence) and proximity to the sampling location housing the isolated/quarantined patient (primary or secondary). The results showed that hospital wards had lower airborne virus concentrations than residential isolation rooms. A negative correlation was found between airborne virus concentrations in primary-occupancy areas and air changes per hour (ACH). In hospital settings, sample positivity rates were significantly reduced in secondary-occupancy areas compared to primary-occupancy areas, but they were similar across sampling locations in residential settings. ACH and sample positivity rates were negatively correlated, though the effect was diminished when ACH values exceeded 8. While limitations associated with diverse sampling protocols exist, data considered by this meta-analysis support the notion that higher ACH may reduce exposure risks to the virus in ambient air.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuetong Zhang
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columnia, Canada
| | - Sripriya Nannu Shankar
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
- Department of Environmental & Public Health Sciences, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - William B. Vass
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - John A. Lednicky
- Department of Environmental and Global Health, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Z. Hugh Fan
- Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Duzgun Agdas
- Engineering School of Sustainable Infrastructure & Environment, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
| | - Robert Makuch
- Department of Biostatistics, Yale University School of Public Health, New Haven, Connecticut, USA
| | - Chang-Yu Wu
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, Florida, USA
- Department of Chemical, Environmental, and Materials Engineering, University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida, USA
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3
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Barberá-Riera M, Barneo-Muñoz M, Gascó-Laborda JC, Bellido Blasco J, Porru S, Alfaro C, Esteve Cano V, Carrasco P, Rebagliato M, de Llanos R, Delgado-Saborit JM. Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in aerosols in long term care facilities and other indoor spaces with known COVID-19 outbreaks. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 242:117730. [PMID: 38000631 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117730] [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: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
Coronavirus outbreaks are likely to occur in crowded and congregate indoor spaces, and their effects are most severe in vulnerable long term care facilities (LTCFs) residents. Public health officers benefit from tools that allow them to control COVID-19 outbreaks in vulnerable settings such as LTCFs, but which could be translated in the future to control other known and future virus outbreaks. This study aims to develop and test a methodology based on detection of SARS-CoV-2 in aerosol samples collected with personal pumps that could be easily implemented by public health officers. The proposed methodology was used to investigate the levels of SARS-CoV-2 in aerosol in indoor settings, mainly focusing on LTCFs, suffering COVID-19 outbreaks, or in the presence of known COVID-19 cases, and targeting the initial days after diagnosis. Aerosol samples (N = 18) were collected between November 2020 and March 2022 in Castelló (Spain) from LTCFs, merchant ships and a private home with recently infected COVID-19 cases. Sampling was performed for 24-h, onto 47 mm polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and quartz filters, connected to personal pumps at 2 and 4 L/min respectively. RNA from filters was extracted and SARS-CoV-2 was determined by detection of regions N1 and N2 of the nucleocapsid gene alongside the E gene using RT-PCR technique. SARS-CoV-2 genetic material was detected in 87.5% samples. Concentrations ranged ND-19,525 gc/m3 (gene E). No genetic traces were detected in rooms from contacts that were isolated as a preventative measure. Very high levels were also measured at locations with poor ventilation. Aerosol measurement conducted with the proposed methodology provided useful information to public health officers and contributed to manage and control 12 different COVID-19 outbreaks. SARS-CoV-2 was detected in aerosol samples collected during outbreaks in congregate spaces. Indoor aerosol sampling is a useful tool in the early detection and management of COVID-19 outbreaks and supports epidemiological investigations.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Barberá-Riera
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitat Jaume I, Avenida de Vicent Sos Baynat s/n, 12071, Castellón de la Plana, Spain
| | - M Barneo-Muñoz
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitat Jaume I, Avenida de Vicent Sos Baynat s/n, 12071, Castellón de la Plana, Spain
| | - J C Gascó-Laborda
- Epidemiology Division, Public Health Center, Castelló de la Plana, Spain
| | - J Bellido Blasco
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitat Jaume I, Avenida de Vicent Sos Baynat s/n, 12071, Castellón de la Plana, Spain; Epidemiology Division, Public Health Center, Castelló de la Plana, Spain; Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research in the Valencian Region, FISABIO-Public Health, FISABIO-Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, Av. Catalunya 21, 46020, Valencia, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Av. Monforte de Lemos, 3-5. Pabellón 11, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - S Porru
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitat Jaume I, Avenida de Vicent Sos Baynat s/n, 12071, Castellón de la Plana, Spain
| | - C Alfaro
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitat Jaume I, Avenida de Vicent Sos Baynat s/n, 12071, Castellón de la Plana, Spain
| | - V Esteve Cano
- Department of Inorganic and Organic Chemistry, Universitat Jaume I, Avenida de Vicent Sos Baynat s/n, 12071, Castellón de la Plana, Spain
| | - P Carrasco
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitat Jaume I, Avenida de Vicent Sos Baynat s/n, 12071, Castellón de la Plana, Spain; Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research in the Valencian Region, FISABIO-Public Health, FISABIO-Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, Av. Catalunya 21, 46020, Valencia, Spain
| | - M Rebagliato
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitat Jaume I, Avenida de Vicent Sos Baynat s/n, 12071, Castellón de la Plana, Spain; Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research in the Valencian Region, FISABIO-Public Health, FISABIO-Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, Av. Catalunya 21, 46020, Valencia, Spain; Spanish Consortium for Research on Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Av. Monforte de Lemos, 3-5. Pabellón 11, 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | - R de Llanos
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitat Jaume I, Avenida de Vicent Sos Baynat s/n, 12071, Castellón de la Plana, Spain.
| | - J M Delgado-Saborit
- Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitat Jaume I, Avenida de Vicent Sos Baynat s/n, 12071, Castellón de la Plana, Spain; Epidemiology and Environmental Health Joint Research Unit, Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research in the Valencian Region, FISABIO-Public Health, FISABIO-Universitat Jaume I-Universitat de València, Av. Catalunya 21, 46020, Valencia, Spain.
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4
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Feng B, Lian J, Yu F, Zhang D, Chen W, Wang Q, Shen Y, Xie G, Wang R, Teng Y, Lou B, Zheng S, Yang Y, Chen Y. Impact of short-term ambient air pollution exposure on the risk of severe COVID-19. J Environ Sci (China) 2024; 135:610-618. [PMID: 37778832 PMCID: PMC9550293 DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2022.09.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 08/01/2023]
Abstract
Ecological studies suggested a link between air pollution and severe COVID-19 outcomes, while studies accounting for individual-level characteristics are limited. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the impact of short-term ambient air pollution exposure on disease severity among a cohort of 569 laboratory confirmed COVID-19 patients admitted to designated hospitals in Zhejiang province, China, from January 17 to March 3, 2020, and elucidate the possible biological processes involved using transcriptomics. Compared with mild cases, severe cases had higher proportion of medical conditions as well as unfavorable results in most of the laboratory tests, and manifested higher air pollution exposure levels. Higher exposure to air pollutants was associated with increased risk of severe COVID-19 with odds ratio (OR) of 1.89 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01, 3.53), 2.35 (95% CI: 1.20, 4.61), 2.87 (95% CI: 1.68, 4.91), and 2.01 (95% CI: 1.10, 3.69) for PM2.5, PM10, NO2 and CO, respectively. OR for NO2 remained significant in two-pollutant models after adjusting for other pollutants. Transcriptional analysis showed 884 differentially expressed genes which mainly were enriched in virus clearance related biological processes between patients with high and low NO2 exposure levels, indicating that compromised immune response might be a potential underlying mechanistic pathway. These findings highlight the impact of short-term air pollution exposure, particularly for NO2, on COVID-19 severity, and emphasize the significance in mitigating the COVID-19 burden of commitments to improve air quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baihuan Feng
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310000, China; Key Laboratory of Clinical In Vitro Diagnostic Techniques of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310000, China; Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310000, China
| | - Jiangshan Lian
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310000, China
| | - Fei Yu
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310000, China; Key Laboratory of Clinical In Vitro Diagnostic Techniques of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310000, China; Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310000, China
| | - Dan Zhang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310000, China; Key Laboratory of Clinical In Vitro Diagnostic Techniques of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310000, China; Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310000, China
| | - Weizhen Chen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310000, China; Key Laboratory of Clinical In Vitro Diagnostic Techniques of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310000, China; Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310000, China
| | - Qi Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310000, China; Key Laboratory of Clinical In Vitro Diagnostic Techniques of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310000, China; Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310000, China
| | - Yifei Shen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310000, China; Key Laboratory of Clinical In Vitro Diagnostic Techniques of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310000, China; Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310000, China
| | - Guoliang Xie
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310000, China; Key Laboratory of Clinical In Vitro Diagnostic Techniques of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310000, China; Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310000, China
| | - Ruonan Wang
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310000, China; Key Laboratory of Clinical In Vitro Diagnostic Techniques of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310000, China; Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310000, China
| | - Yun Teng
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310000, China; Key Laboratory of Clinical In Vitro Diagnostic Techniques of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310000, China; Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310000, China
| | - Bin Lou
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310000, China; Key Laboratory of Clinical In Vitro Diagnostic Techniques of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310000, China; Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310000, China
| | - Shufa Zheng
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310000, China; Key Laboratory of Clinical In Vitro Diagnostic Techniques of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310000, China; Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310000, China.
| | - Yida Yang
- Department of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310000, China; State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310000, China.
| | - Yu Chen
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310000, China; Key Laboratory of Clinical In Vitro Diagnostic Techniques of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310000, China; Institute of Laboratory Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310000, China; State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, the First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310000, China.
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5
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Liu H, Liu Z, He J, Hu C, Rong R, Han H, Wang L, Wang D. Reducing airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 by an upper-room ultraviolet germicidal irradiation system in a hospital isolation environment. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 237:116952. [PMID: 37619635 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Upper-room ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) technology can potentially inhibit the transmission of airborne disease pathogens. There is a lack of quantitative evaluation of the performance of the upper-room UVGI for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) airborne transmission under the combined effects of ventilation and UV irradiation. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the performance of the upper-room UVGI system for reducing SARS-CoV-2 virus transmission in a hospital isolation environment. Computational fluid dynamics and virological data on SARS-CoV-2 were integrated to obtain virus aerosol exposure in the hospital isolation environment containing buffer rooms, wards and bathrooms. The UV inactivation model was applied to investigate the effects of ventilation rate, irradiation flux and irradiation height on the upper-room UVGI performance. The results showed that increasing ventilation rate from 8 to 16 air changes per hour (ACH) without UVGI obtained 54.32% and 45.63% virus reduction in the wards and bathrooms, respectively. However, the upper-room UVGI could achieve 90.43% and 99.09% virus disinfection, respectively, with the ventilation rate of 8 ACH and the irradiation flux of 10 μW cm-2. Higher percentage of virus could be inactivated by the upper-room UVGI at a lower ventilation rate; the rate of improvement of UVGI elimination effect slowed down with the increase of irradiation flux. Increase irradiation height at lower ventilation rate was more effective in improving the UVGI performance than the increase in irradiation flux at smaller irradiation height. These results could provide theoretical support for the practical application of UVGI in hospital isolation environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haiyang Liu
- Department of Power Engineering, North China Electric Power University, Baoding, Hebei, 071003, PR China
| | - Zhijian Liu
- Department of Power Engineering, North China Electric Power University, Baoding, Hebei, 071003, PR China.
| | - Junzhou He
- Department of Power Engineering, North China Electric Power University, Baoding, Hebei, 071003, PR China
| | - Chenxing Hu
- School of Mechanical Engineering, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing, 100081, China
| | - Rui Rong
- Department of Power Engineering, North China Electric Power University, Baoding, Hebei, 071003, PR China
| | - Hao Han
- State Key Laboratory of NBC Protection for Civilian, Beijing, 100191, China.
| | - Lingyun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of NBC Protection for Civilian, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Desheng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of NBC Protection for Civilian, Beijing, 100191, China
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6
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Zambrana W, Boehm AB. Occurrence of Human Viruses on Fomites in the Environment: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. ACS ENVIRONMENTAL AU 2023; 3:277-294. [PMID: 37743950 PMCID: PMC10515712 DOI: 10.1021/acsenvironau.3c00025] [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] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Documenting the occurrence of viruses on fomites is crucial in determining the significance of fomite-mediated transmission and the potential use of fomites for environmental disease surveillance. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to compile information on the occurrence of human viruses on fomites in the environment; we identified 134 peer-reviewed papers. We compiled sampling and measurement methods, results, quality control information, and whether virus data were compared with community health data from the papers. We conducted univariate and multivariate analyses to investigate if presence of virus on fomites was associated with virus type (enveloped, nonenveloped), sampling location (healthcare setting, nonhealthcare temporary setting, nonhealthcare nontemporary setting), and area of fomite swabbed (<50, 50-100, >100 cm2). Across 275 data sets from the 134 papers, there was the most data available for Coronaviridae and from fomites at hospitals. Positivity rates, defined as the percent positive fomite samples, were low (median = 6%). Data were available on viruses from 16 different viral families, but data on viruses from 9 families had few (n < 5) data sets. Many human virus families were not identified in this review (11 families). Less than 15% of the data sets reported virus concentrations in externally valid units (viruses per area of surface), and 16% provided a quantitative comparison between virus and health data. Virus type and area swabbed were significant predictors of virus presence on fomites, and the positivity rate of data sets collected from healthcare settings and nonhealthcare nontemporary settings (e.g., individual housing) were significantly higher than those collected in nonhealthcare temporary settings (e.g., restaurants). Data from this review indicates that viruses may be present on fomites, that fomite-mediated virus transmission may occur, and that fomites may provide information on circulation of infectious diseases in the community. However, more quantitative data on diverse viruses are needed, and method reporting needs significant improvements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Winnie Zambrana
- Department
of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Stanford University, 473 Via Ortega, Stanford, California 94305, United States
| | - Alexandria B. Boehm
- Department
of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Stanford University, 473 Via Ortega, Stanford, California 94305, United States
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7
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Lane G, Zhou G, Hultquist JF, Simons LM, Redondo RL, Ozer EA, McCarthy DM, Ison MG, Achenbach CJ, Wang X, Wai CM, Wyatt E, Aalsburg A, Yang Q, Noto T, Alisoltani A, Ysselstein D, Awatramani R, Murphy R, Theron G, Zelano C. Quantity of SARS-CoV-2 RNA copies exhaled per minute during natural breathing over the course of COVID-19 infection. MEDRXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR HEALTH SCIENCES 2023:2023.09.06.23295138. [PMID: 37732212 PMCID: PMC10508818 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.06.23295138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 is spread through exhaled breath of infected individuals. A fundamental question in understanding transmission of SARS-CoV-2 is how much virus an individual is exhaling into the environment while they breathe, over the course of their infection. Research on viral load dynamics during COVID-19 infection has focused on internal swab specimens, which provide a measure of viral loads inside the respiratory tract, but not on breath. Therefore, the dynamics of viral shedding on exhaled breath over the course of infection are poorly understood. Here, we collected exhaled breath specimens from COVID-19 patients and used RTq-PCR to show that numbers of exhaled SARS-CoV-2 RNA copies during COVID-19 infection do not decrease significantly until day 8 from symptom-onset. COVID-19-positive participants exhaled an average of 80 SARS-CoV-2 viral RNA copies per minute during the first 8 days of infection, with significant variability both between and within individuals, including spikes over 800 copies a minute in some patients. After day 8, there was a steep drop to levels nearing the limit of detection, persisting for up to 20 days. We further found that levels of exhaled viral RNA increased with self-rated symptom-severity, though individual variation was high. Levels of exhaled viral RNA did not differ across age, sex, time of day, vaccination status or viral variant. Our data provide a fine-grained, direct measure of the number of SARS-CoV-2 viral copies exhaled per minute during natural breathing-including 312 breath specimens collected multiple times daily over the course of infection-in order to fill an important gap in our understanding of the time course of exhaled viral loads in COVID-19.
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8
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Noorimotlagh Z, Mirzaee SA, Seif F, Kalantar M, Roghani T, Mousavi SA, Honarmandpour A. Detection of different variants of SARS-CoV-2 RNA (genome) on inanimate surfaces in high-touch public environmental surfaces. Sci Rep 2023; 13:13058. [PMID: 37567996 PMCID: PMC10421847 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-40342-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) disease started in late 2019 and still continues as a global pandemic, spreading among people around the world. There is limited knowledge about the role of contaminated environmental surfaces, especially high-touch public surfaces, in the transmission of the disease. The objective of the present investigation was detection of different variants (Delta, UK, and Omicron) of SARS-CoV-2 RNA (genome) on inanimate surfaces in high-touch public environmental surfaces in different seasons. Automated teller machines of banks (ATM), point-of-sale (POS) machine, gas station pump nozzles, and escalator handrails of malls were selected as high-touch environmental surfaces in public places. Overall, 75 samples were collected from these places and examined for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA (genome), and 21 samples (28%) were positive. Although the role of fomite transmission of COVID-19 is understood, more studies should be conducted to determine the virus survival rate as well as the required efforts to prevent the spread of SARS-CoV-2 such as frequent cleaning and the use of efficient disinfectants on environmental surfaces, especially high-touch public places. In conclusion, the results address the importance of touching contaminated inanimate objects as well as transmission through environmental surfaces, and they could be used to establish an effective protocol to prevent indirect environmental transmission of SARS-CoV-2, slow down the spread of the virus, and reduce the risk of infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Noorimotlagh
- Health and Environment Research Center, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Health, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran
| | - Seyyed Abbas Mirzaee
- Health and Environment Research Center, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran.
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Health, Ilam University of Medical Sciences, Ilam, Iran.
| | - Faezeh Seif
- Department of Basic Sciences, Shoushtar Faculty of Medical Sciences, Shoushtar, Iran.
| | - Mojtaba Kalantar
- Department of Public Health, Shoushtar Faculty of Medical Science, Shoushtar, Iran
| | - Tayebeh Roghani
- Department of Public Health, Shoushtar Faculty of Medical Science, Shoushtar, Iran
| | - Seyed Ali Mousavi
- Department of Public Health, Shoushtar Faculty of Medical Science, Shoushtar, Iran
| | - Azam Honarmandpour
- Department of Midwifery, Shoushtar Faculty of Medical Sciences, Shoushtar, Iran
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Yao Y, Cui Y, Gao X, Qian Y, Hu B. Contamination of personal protective equipment and environmental surfaces in Fangcang shelter hospitals. Am J Infect Control 2023; 51:926-930. [PMID: 36435405 PMCID: PMC9683851 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajic.2022.11.016] [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: 07/17/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Fangcang shelter hospitals emerged as a new public health concept after COVID-19. Data regarding contamination of Fangcang shelter environments remains scarce. This study aims to investigate the extent of SARS-CoV-2 contamination on personal protective equipment and surfaces in Fangcang hospitals. METHODS Between March and May 2022, during wave of omicron variant, a prospective study was conducted in 2 Fangcang hospitals in Shanghai, China. Swabs of personal protective equipment worn and environmental surfaces of contaminated areas, doffing rooms, and potentially contaminated areas were collected. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction. If viral RNA was detected, sampling was repeated after cleaning and disinfection. RESULTS A total of 602 samples were collected. 13.3% of the personal protective equipment were contaminated. Positive rate was higher in the contaminated areas (48.4%) than in the doffing rooms (11.7%) and the potentially contaminated areas (0; P<.05). Contamination was highest in patient occupied areas (67.5%). After cleaning, samples taken at previously contaminated surfaces are all negative. CONCLUSIONS SARS-CoV-2 RNA contamination is prevalent in Fangcang hospitals and healthcare workers are under risk of infection. Potentially contaminated areas and surfaces after cleaning and disinfection are negative, underlying the importance of infection control policy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yumeng Yao
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yangwen Cui
- Department of Infection Control and Management, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaodong Gao
- Department of Infection Control and Management, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yiyi Qian
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Bijie Hu
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Department of Infection Control and Management, Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
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10
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Ríos-Bracamontes EF, Iñiguez-Arias LE, Ochoa-Jiménez RJ, Guzmán-Esquivel J, Cárdenas-Rojas MI, Murillo-Zamora E. Risk of Testing Positive for COVID-19 among Healthcare and Healthcare-Related Workers. Vaccines (Basel) 2023; 11:1260. [PMID: 37515075 PMCID: PMC10385201 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines11071260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 07/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/16/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding the risk factors associated with COVID-19 infection among healthcare workers is crucial for infection prevention and control. The aim of this study was to examine the risk of testing positive for COVID-19 among a multicenter cohort of workers, taking into account their occupational roles (medical professionals, staff in operational and administrative roles, or laboratory personnel) in healthcare settings. The data analyzed in this study included 2163 individuals with suggestive COVID-19 symptoms who underwent laboratory testing. The incidence rate in the study sample was calculated to be 15.3 cases per 10,000 person-days. The results from the multiple regression model indicated that job roles were not significantly associated with the risk of testing positive. However, age and the duration of the pandemic were identified as significant risk factors, with increasing age and longer pandemic duration being associated with a higher risk of testing positive. Additionally, vaccination was found to reduce the risk of testing positive. These findings provide valuable insights into COVID-19 transmission among indoor healthcare workers, highlighting the influence of age, pandemic duration, and vaccination on infection risk. Further research is needed to develop evidence-based strategies aimed at protecting healthcare workers and preventing virus spread in healthcare settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eder Fernando Ríos-Bracamontes
- Departamento de Medicina Interna, Hospital General de Zona No. 1, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Av. Lapislázuli 250, Col. El Haya, Villa de Álvarez 28984, Mexico
| | - Luz Elena Iñiguez-Arias
- Departamento de Medicina Interna, Hospital General de Zona No. 1, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Av. Lapislázuli 250, Col. El Haya, Villa de Álvarez 28984, Mexico
| | - Rodolfo José Ochoa-Jiménez
- Departamento de Medicina Interna, Hospital General de Zona No. 1, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Av. Lapislázuli 250, Col. El Haya, Villa de Álvarez 28984, Mexico
| | - José Guzmán-Esquivel
- Unidad de Investigación en Epidemiología Clínica, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Av. Lapislázuli 250, Col. El Haya, Villa de Álvarez 28984, Mexico
| | - Martha Irazema Cárdenas-Rojas
- Unidad de Investigación en Epidemiología Clínica, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Av. Lapislázuli 250, Col. El Haya, Villa de Álvarez 28984, Mexico
| | - Efrén Murillo-Zamora
- Unidad de Investigación en Epidemiología Clínica, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social, Av. Lapislázuli 250, Col. El Haya, Villa de Álvarez 28984, Mexico
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11
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Martínez-Espinosa E, Carvajal-Mariscal I. Virus-laden droplet nuclei in vortical structures associated with recirculation zones in indoor environments: A possible airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2. ENVIRONMENTAL ADVANCES 2023; 12:100376. [PMID: 37193349 PMCID: PMC10163794 DOI: 10.1016/j.envadv.2023.100376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
Droplet nuclei dispersion patterns in indoor environments are reviewed from a physics view to explore the possibility of airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2. This review analyzes works on particle dispersion patterns and their concentration in vortical structures in different indoor environments. Numerical simulations and experiments reveal the formation of the buildings' recirculation zones and vortex flow regions by flow separation, airflow interaction around objects, internal dispersion of airflow, or thermal plume. These vortical structures showed high particle concentration because particles are trapped for long periods. Then a hypothesis is proposed to explain why some medical studies detect the presence of SARS-CoV-2 and others do not detect the virus. The hypothesis proposes that airborne transmission is possible if virus-laden droplet nuclei are trapped in vortical structures associated with recirculation zones. This hypothesis is reinforced by a numerical study in a restaurant that presented possible evidence of airborne transmission by a large recirculating air zone. Furthermore, a medical study in a hospital is discussed from a physical view for identifying the formation of recirculation zones and their relation with positive tests for viruses. The observations show air sampling site located in this vortical structure is positive for the SARS-CoV-2 RNA. Therefore, the formation of vortical structures associated with recirculation zones should be avoided to minimize the possibility of airborne transmission. This work tries to understand the complex phenomenon of airborne transmission as a way in the prevention of transmission of infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- E Martínez-Espinosa
- Industrial and Environmental Processes Department, Instituto de Ingeniería, UNAM, Ciudad Universitaria, Mexico City 04510, México
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12
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Harapan H, Johar E, Maroef CN, Sriyani IY, Iqhrammullah M, Kusuma HI, Syukri M, Razali R, Hamdani H, Kurniawan R, Irwansyah I, Sofyan SE, Myint KS, Mahlia TI, Rizal S. Effect of elevated temperature on SARS-CoV-2 viability. F1000Res 2023; 11:403. [PMID: 37745627 PMCID: PMC10517306 DOI: 10.12688/f1000research.110305.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has caused a worldwide disruption of global health putting healthcare workers at high risk. To reduce the transmission of SARS-CoV-2, in particular during treating the patients, our team aims to develop an optimized isolation chamber. The present study was conducted to evaluate the role of temperature elevation against SARS-CoV-2 viability, where the information would be used to build the isolation chamber. 0.6 mL of the Indonesian isolate of SARS-CoV-2 strain 20201012747 (approximately 10 13 PFU/mL) was incubated for one hour with a variation of temperatures: 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, and 65°C in digital block heater as well as at room temperature (21-23°C) before used to infect Vero E6 cells. The viability was determined using a plaque assay. Our data found a significant reduction of the viral viability from 10 13 PFU/mL to 10 9 PFU/mL after the room temperature was increase to 40°C. Further elevation revealed that 55°C and above resulted in the total elimination of the viral viability. Increasing the temperature 40°C to reduce the SARS-CoV-2 survival could create mild hyperthermia conditions in a patient which could act as a thermotherapy. In addition, according to our findings, thermal sterilization of the vacant isolation chamber could be conducted by increasing the temperature to 55°C. In conclusion, elevating the temperature of the isolation chamber could be one of the main variables for developing an optimized isolation chamber for COVID-19 patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harapan Harapan
- Department of Microbiology, School of Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, 23111, Indonesia
- Tropical Disease Centre, School of Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, 23111, Indonesia
- Medical Research Unit, School of Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, 23111, Indonesia
| | - Edison Johar
- Eijkman Institute for Molecular Biology, Jakarta, 10430, Indonesia
| | | | - Ida Yus Sriyani
- Eijkman Institute for Molecular Biology, Jakarta, 10430, Indonesia
| | - Muhammad Iqhrammullah
- Graduate School of Mathematics and Applied Sciences, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, 23111, Indonesia
| | - Hendrix Indra Kusuma
- Medical Research Unit, School of Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, 23111, Indonesia
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, 23111, Indonesia
| | - Maimun Syukri
- Department of Internal Medicine, School of Medicine, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, 23111, Indonesia
| | - Razali Razali
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, 23111, Indonesia
| | - Hamdani Hamdani
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, 23111, Indonesia
| | - Rudi Kurniawan
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, 23111, Indonesia
| | - Irwansyah Irwansyah
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, 23111, Indonesia
| | - Sarwo Edhy Sofyan
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, 23111, Indonesia
| | - Khin Saw Myint
- Eijkman Institute for Molecular Biology, Jakarta, 10430, Indonesia
| | - T.M. Indra Mahlia
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, Sydney, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Samsul Rizal
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh, 23111, Indonesia
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13
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Matsuyama T, Saeki S, Kosaka S, Matsuoka Y, Aoki Y, Itoh Y, Imaeda T. Inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 variants by nitrogen-doped titanium dioxide loaded with metals as visible-light photocatalysts. Biotechnol Lett 2023; 45:551-561. [PMID: 36913102 PMCID: PMC10009347 DOI: 10.1007/s10529-023-03361-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE We examined the inactivation of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) by a nitrogen-doped titanium dioxide (N-TiO2) visible-light photocatalyst that was activated via light irradiation in the natural environment and was safe for human use as a coating material. METHODS The photocatalytic activity of glass slides coated with three types of N-TiO2 without metal or loaded with copper or silver and copper was investigated by measuring acetaldehyde degradation. The titer levels of infectious SARS-CoV-2 were measured using cell culture after exposing photocatalytically active coated glass slides to visible light for up to 60 min. RESULTS N-TiO2 photoirradiation inactivated the SARS-CoV-2 Wuhan strain and this effect was enhanced by copper loading and further by the addition of silver. Hence, visible-light irradiation using silver and copper-loaded N-TiO2 inactivated the Delta, Omicron, and Wuhan strains. CONCLUSION N-TiO2 could be used to inactivate SARS-CoV-2 variants, including emerging variants, in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Matsuyama
- Toyota Central Research and Development Laboratories Incorporated, Nagakute, 480-1192 Japan
| | - Shu Saeki
- Toyota Central Research and Development Laboratories Incorporated, Nagakute, 480-1192 Japan
| | - Satoru Kosaka
- Toyota Central Research and Development Laboratories Incorporated, Nagakute, 480-1192 Japan
| | - Yoriko Matsuoka
- Toyota Central Research and Development Laboratories Incorporated, Nagakute, 480-1192 Japan
| | - Yoshifumi Aoki
- Toyota Central Research and Development Laboratories Incorporated, Nagakute, 480-1192 Japan
| | - Yasushi Itoh
- Shiga University of Medical Science, Otsu, 520-2192 Japan
| | - Takao Imaeda
- Toyota Central Research and Development Laboratories Incorporated, Nagakute, 480-1192 Japan
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14
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Luo D, Huang J, Zheng X, Liu F, Li Y, Wang Y, Qian H. Spread of flushing-generated fecal aerosols in a squat toilet cubicle: Implication for infection risk. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 859:160212. [PMID: 36395842 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2022] [Revised: 10/27/2022] [Accepted: 11/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Toilet flushing generates and spread fecal aerosols, potentially leading to infection transmission risk. Squat toilets are widely used in public restrooms in some Asian countries including China and India, and remain to be studied. Aerosol dispersion while flushing squat toilet in cubicle was visualized, while the aerosol concentrations were measured on different surfaces by monitoring fluorescence intensity through seeding simulated fluorescence feces. Flushing-generated fecal aerosols could spread to the breathing zone, deposit on floor, and partitions in squat toilet cubicles, and spread even beyond to the restroom lobby. A total of 0.24 % and 0.17 % of seeded fecal waste deposits on the floor and partition (lower than 0.20 m) for each flush. Aerosol concentration decays rapidly, with 86.8 ± 2.2 % reduction in the second minute after a previous flush compared to that in the first minute. Public toilet users are recommended to wait for 2 min after the early flush before entering the cubicle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danting Luo
- School of Energy and Environment, Southeast University, Nanjing, China; Engineering Research Center for Building Energy Environments & Equipments, Ministry of Education, China; Hubei Engineering Center for Infectious Disease Prevention, Control and Treatment, Wuhan, China
| | - Jiayu Huang
- School of Energy and Environment, Southeast University, Nanjing, China; Engineering Research Center for Building Energy Environments & Equipments, Ministry of Education, China
| | - Xiaohong Zheng
- School of Energy and Environment, Southeast University, Nanjing, China; Engineering Research Center for Building Energy Environments & Equipments, Ministry of Education, China
| | - Fan Liu
- School of Energy and Environment, Southeast University, Nanjing, China; University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
| | - Yuguo Li
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China
| | - Ying Wang
- Hubei Engineering Center for Infectious Disease Prevention, Control and Treatment, Wuhan, China; Department of infection management, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Hua Qian
- School of Energy and Environment, Southeast University, Nanjing, China; Engineering Research Center for Building Energy Environments & Equipments, Ministry of Education, China; Hubei Engineering Center for Infectious Disease Prevention, Control and Treatment, Wuhan, China.
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15
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Lee GH, Park SH, Song BM, Kim DM, Han HJ, Park JY, Jo YW, Hwang MY, Sim KT, Kang SM, Tark D. Comparative efficacy evaluation of disinfectants against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2. J Hosp Infect 2023; 131:12-22. [PMID: 36183929 PMCID: PMC9639569 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2022.09.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2022] [Revised: 09/20/2022] [Accepted: 09/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Disinfection is one of the most effective ways to block the rapid transmission of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). Due to the prolonged coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, disinfectants have become crucial to prevent person-to-person transmission and decontaminate hands, clothes, facilities and equipment. However, there is a lack of accurate information on the virucidal activity of commercial disinfectants. AIM To evaluate the virucidal efficacy of 72 commercially available disinfectants constituting 16 types of ingredients against SARS-CoV-2. METHODS SARS-CoV-2 was tested with various concentrations of disinfectants at indicated exposure time points as recommended by the manufacturers. The 50% tissue culture infectious dose assay was used to calculate virus titre, and trypan blue staining and CCK-8 were used to assess cell viability after 3-5 days of SARS-CoV-2 infection. FINDINGS This study found that disinfectants based on 83% ethanol, 60% propanol/ethanol, 0.00108-0.0011% sodium dichloroisocyanurate and 0.497% potassium peroxymonosulfate inactivated SARS-CoV-2 effectively and safely. Although disinfectants based on 0.05-0.4% benzalkonium chloride (BAC), 0.02-0.07% quaternary ammonium compound (QAC; 1:1), 0.4% BAC/didecyldimethylammonium chloride (DDAC), 0.28% benzethonium chloride concentrate/2-propanol, 0.0205-0.14% DDAC/polyhexamethylene biguanide hydrochloride (PHMB) and 0.5% hydrogen peroxide inactivated SARS-CoV-2 effectively, they exhibited cytotoxicity. Conversely, disinfectants based on 0.04-4% QAC (2:3), 0.00625% BAC/DDAC/PHMB, and 0.0205-0.14% and 0.0173% peracetic acid showed approximately 50% virucidal efficacy with no cytotoxicity. Citric acid (0.4%) did not inactivate SARS-CoV-2. CONCLUSION These results indicate that most commercially available disinfectants exert a disinfectant effect against SARS-CoV-2. However, re-evaluation of the effective concentration and exposure time of certain disinfectants is needed, especially citric acid and peracetic acid.
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Affiliation(s)
- G-H. Lee
- Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention, Korea Zoonosis Research Institute, Jeonbuk National University, Iksan, Republic of Korea
| | - S-H. Park
- Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention, Korea Zoonosis Research Institute, Jeonbuk National University, Iksan, Republic of Korea
| | - B-M. Song
- Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention, Korea Zoonosis Research Institute, Jeonbuk National University, Iksan, Republic of Korea
| | - D-M. Kim
- Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention, Korea Zoonosis Research Institute, Jeonbuk National University, Iksan, Republic of Korea
| | - H-J. Han
- Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention, Korea Zoonosis Research Institute, Jeonbuk National University, Iksan, Republic of Korea
| | - J-Y. Park
- Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention, Korea Zoonosis Research Institute, Jeonbuk National University, Iksan, Republic of Korea
| | - Y-W. Jo
- Division of Chemical Research, National Institute of Environmental Research, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - M-Y. Hwang
- Division of Chemical Research, National Institute of Environmental Research, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - K-T. Sim
- Division of Chemical Research, National Institute of Environmental Research, Incheon, Republic of Korea
| | - S-M. Kang
- Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention, Korea Zoonosis Research Institute, Jeonbuk National University, Iksan, Republic of Korea,Corresponding author. Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention, Korea Zoonosis Research Institute, Jeonbuk National University, Iksan 54531, Republic of Korea
| | - D. Tark
- Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention, Korea Zoonosis Research Institute, Jeonbuk National University, Iksan, Republic of Korea,Corresponding author. Laboratory for Infectious Disease Prevention, Korea Zoonosis Research Institute, Jeonbuk National University, Iksan 54531, Republic of Korea
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16
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Qiu G, Spillmann M, Tang J, Zhao Y, Tao Y, Zhang X, Geschwindner H, Saleh L, Zingg W, Wang J. On-Site Quantification and Infection Risk Assessment of Airborne SARS-CoV-2 Virus Via a Nanoplasmonic Bioaerosol Sensing System in Healthcare Settings. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2022; 9:e2204774. [PMID: 36310114 PMCID: PMC9762303 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202204774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
On-site quantification and early-stage infection risk assessment of airborne severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) with high spatiotemporal resolution is a promising approach for mitigating the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and informing life-saving decisions. Here, a condensation (hygroscopic growth)-assisted bioaerosol collection and plasmonic photothermal sensing (CAPS) system for on-site quantitative risk analysis of SARS-CoV-2 virus-laden aerosols is presented. The CAPS system provided rapid thermoplasmonic biosensing results after an aerosol-to-hydrosol sampling process in COVID-19-related environments including a hospital and a nursing home. The detection limit reached 0.25 copies/µL in the complex aerosol background without further purification. More importantly, the CAPS system enabled direct measurement of the SARS-CoV-2 virus exposures with high spatiotemporal resolution. Measurement and feedback of the results to healthcare workers and patients via a QR-code are completed within two hours. Based on a dose-responseµ model, it is used the plasmonic biosensing signal to calculate probabilities of SARS-CoV-2 infection risk and estimate maximum exposure durations to an acceptable risk threshold in different environmental settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guangyu Qiu
- Institute of Environmental EngineeringETH ZürichZürich8093Switzerland
- Laboratory for Advanced Analytical TechnologiesEmpaSwiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and TechnologyDübendorf8600Switzerland
- Institute of Medical RoboticsShanghai Jiao Tong UniversityShanghaiP. R. China
| | - Martin Spillmann
- Institute of Environmental EngineeringETH ZürichZürich8093Switzerland
| | - Jiukai Tang
- Institute of Environmental EngineeringETH ZürichZürich8093Switzerland
- Laboratory for Advanced Analytical TechnologiesEmpaSwiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and TechnologyDübendorf8600Switzerland
| | - Yi‐Bo Zhao
- Institute of Environmental EngineeringETH ZürichZürich8093Switzerland
- Laboratory for Advanced Analytical TechnologiesEmpaSwiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and TechnologyDübendorf8600Switzerland
| | - Yile Tao
- Institute of Environmental EngineeringETH ZürichZürich8093Switzerland
| | - Xiaole Zhang
- Institute of Environmental EngineeringETH ZürichZürich8093Switzerland
| | - Heike Geschwindner
- Nursing Research and ScienceSenior Health Centres of the City of ZurichZurichSwitzerland
| | - Lanja Saleh
- Institute of Clinical ChemistryUniversity Hospital ZurichUniversity of ZurichZurich8091Switzerland
| | - Walter Zingg
- Clinic for Infectious Diseases and Hospital HygieneUniversity Hospital of ZurichZurich8091Switzerland
| | - Jing Wang
- Institute of Environmental EngineeringETH ZürichZürich8093Switzerland
- Laboratory for Advanced Analytical TechnologiesEmpaSwiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and TechnologyDübendorf8600Switzerland
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17
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Liu Z, Yao G, Li Y, Huang Z, Jiang C, He J, Wu M, Liu J, Liu H. Bioaerosol distribution characteristics and potential SARS-CoV-2 infection risk in a multi-compartment dental clinic. BUILDING AND ENVIRONMENT 2022; 225:109624. [PMID: 36164582 PMCID: PMC9494923 DOI: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2022.109624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2022] [Revised: 08/28/2022] [Accepted: 09/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Dental clinics have a potential risk of infection, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. Multi-compartment dental clinics are widely used in general hospitals and independent clinics. This study utilised computational fluid dynamics to investigate the bioaerosol distribution characteristics in a multi-compartment dental clinic through spatiotemporal distribution, working area time-varying concentrations, and key surface deposition. The infection probability of SARS-CoV-2 for the dental staff and patients was calculated using the Wells-Riley model. In addition, the accuracy of the numerical model was verified by field measurements of aerosol concentrations performed during a clinical ultrasonic scaling procedure. The results showed that bioaerosols were mainly distributed in the compartments where the patients were treated. The average infection probability was 3.8% for dental staff. The average deposition number per unit area of the treatment chair and table are 28729 pcs/m2 and 7945 pcs/m2, respectively, which creates a possible contact transmission risk. Moreover, there was a certain cross-infection risk in adjacent compartments, and the average infection probability for patients was 0.84%. The bioaerosol concentrations of the working area in each compartment 30 min post-treatment were reduced to 0.07% of those during treatment, and the infection probability was <0.05%. The results will contribute to an in-depth understanding of the infection risk in multi-compartment dental clinics, forming feasible suggestions for management to efficiently support epidemic prevention and control in dental clinics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhijian Liu
- Department of Power Engineering, North China Electric Power University, Baoding, Hebei, 071003, PR China
| | - Guangpeng Yao
- Department of Power Engineering, North China Electric Power University, Baoding, Hebei, 071003, PR China
| | - Yabin Li
- The Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China
| | - Zhenzhe Huang
- Department of Power Engineering, North China Electric Power University, Baoding, Hebei, 071003, PR China
| | - Chuan Jiang
- Department of Power Engineering, North China Electric Power University, Baoding, Hebei, 071003, PR China
| | - Junzhou He
- Department of Power Engineering, North China Electric Power University, Baoding, Hebei, 071003, PR China
| | - Minnan Wu
- Department of Power Engineering, North China Electric Power University, Baoding, Hebei, 071003, PR China
| | - Jia Liu
- The Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital, Beijing, 100039, China
| | - Haiyang Liu
- Department of Power Engineering, North China Electric Power University, Baoding, Hebei, 071003, PR China
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18
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Wang JX, Wu Z, Wang H, Zhong M, Mao Y, Li Y, Wang M, Yao S. Ventilation reconstruction in bathrooms for restraining hazardous plume: Mitigate COVID-19 and beyond. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 439:129697. [PMID: 36104926 PMCID: PMC9335364 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.129697] [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: 05/20/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2022] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Converging evidence reports that the probability of vertical transmission patterns via shared drainage systems, may be responsible for the huge contactless community outbreak in high-rise buildings. Publications indicate that a faulty bathroom exhaust fan system is ineffective in removing lifted hazardous virus-laden aerosols from the toilet bowl space. Common strategies (boosting ventilation capability and applying disinfection tablets) seem unsustainable and remain to date untested. Using combined simulation and experimental approaches, we compared three ventilation schemes in a family bathroom including the traditional ceiling fan, floor fan, and side-wall fan. We found that the traditional ceiling fan was barely functional whereby aerosol particles were not being adequately removed. Conversely, a side-wall fan could function efficiently and an enhanced ventilation capability can have increased performance whereby nearly 80.9% of the lifted aerosol particles were removed. There exists a common, and easily-overlooked mistake in the layout of the bathroom, exposing occupants to a contactless vertical pathogen aerosol transmission route. Corrections and dissemination are thus imperative for the reconstruction of these types of family bathrooms. Our findings provide evidence for the bathroom and smart ventilation system upgrade, promoting indoor public health and human hygiene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Xiang Wang
- College of Electrical, Energy and Power Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, PR China; Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, PR China.
| | - Zhe Wu
- College of Electrical, Energy and Power Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, PR China
| | - Hongmei Wang
- College of Electrical, Energy and Power Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225009, PR China
| | - Mingliang Zhong
- Institute of Optics and Electronics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610209, PR China
| | - Yufeng Mao
- Institute of Optics and Electronics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610209, PR China
| | - Yunyun Li
- School of Energy and Environment, Southeast University, Nanjing 210096, PR China
| | - Mengxiao Wang
- Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin 300052, PR China
| | - Shuhuai Yao
- Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, PR China; Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, PR China.
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19
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Castro GB, Bernegossi AC, Sousa BJDO, De Lima E Silva MR, Silva FRD, Freitas BLS, Ogura AP, Corbi JJ. Global occurrence of SARS-CoV-2 in environmental aquatic matrices and its implications for sanitation and vulnerabilities in Brazil and developing countries. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH 2022; 32:2160-2199. [PMID: 34310248 DOI: 10.1080/09603123.2021.1949437] [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: 10/27/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
This paper includes a systematic review of the SARS-CoV-2 occurrence in environmental aquatic matrices and a critical sanitation analysis. We discussed the interconnection of sanitation services (wastewater, water supply, solid waste, and stormwater drainage) functioning as an important network for controlling the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in waters. We collected 98 studies containing data of the SARS-CoV-2 occurrence in aquatic matrices around the world, of which 40% were from developing countries. Alongside a significant number of people infected by the virus, developing countries face socioeconomic deficiencies and insufficient public investment in infrastructure. Therefore, our study focused on highlighting solutions to provide sanitation in developing countries, considering the virus control in waters by disinfection techniques and sanitary measures, including alternatives for the vulnerable communities. The need for multilateral efforts to improve the universal coverage of sanitation services demands urgent attention in a pandemic scenario.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gleyson B Castro
- Department of Hydraulic and Sanitation, São Carlos School of Engineering, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Aline C Bernegossi
- Department of Hydraulic and Sanitation, São Carlos School of Engineering, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Bruno José de O Sousa
- Department of Hydraulic and Sanitation, São Carlos School of Engineering, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Fernando R Da Silva
- Department of Sanitary and Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
| | - Bárbara Luíza S Freitas
- Department of Hydraulic and Sanitation, São Carlos School of Engineering, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Allan P Ogura
- Department of Hydraulic and Sanitation, São Carlos School of Engineering, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
- PPG-SEA and CRHEA/SHS, São Carlos School of Engineering, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
| | - Juliano J Corbi
- Department of Hydraulic and Sanitation, São Carlos School of Engineering, University of São Paulo, São Carlos, SP, Brazil
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20
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Al Huraimel K, Alhosani M, Gopalani H, Kunhabdulla S, Stietiya MH. Elucidating the role of environmental management of forests, air quality, solid waste and wastewater on the dissemination of SARS-CoV-2. HYGIENE AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH ADVANCES 2022; 3:100006. [PMID: 37519421 PMCID: PMC9095661 DOI: 10.1016/j.heha.2022.100006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 04/13/2022] [Accepted: 04/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
The increasing frequency of zoonotic diseases is amongst several catastrophic repercussions of inadequate environmental management. Emergence, prevalence, and lethality of zoonotic diseases is intrinsically linked to environmental management which are currently at a destructive level globally. The effects of these links are complicated and interdependent, creating an urgent need of elucidating the role of environmental mismanagement to improve our resilience to future pandemics. This review focused on the pertinent role of forests, outdoor air, indoor air, solid waste and wastewater management in COVID-19 dissemination to analyze the opportunities prevailing to control infectious diseases considering relevant data from previous disease outbreaks. Global forest management is currently detrimental and hotspots of forest fragmentation have demonstrated to result in zoonotic disease emergences. Deforestation is reported to increase susceptibility to COVID-19 due to wildfire induced pollution and loss of forest ecosystem services. Detection of SARS-CoV-2 like viruses in multiple animal species also point to the impacts of biodiversity loss and forest fragmentation in relation to COVID-19. Available literature on air quality and COVID-19 have provided insights into the potential of air pollutants acting as plausible virus carrier and aggravating immune responses and expression of ACE2 receptors. SARS-CoV-2 is detected in outdoor air, indoor air, solid waste, wastewater and shown to prevail on solid surfaces and aerosols for prolonged hours. Furthermore, lack of protection measures and safe disposal options in waste management are evoking concerns especially in underdeveloped countries due to high infectivity of SARS-CoV-2. Inadequate legal framework and non-adherence to environmental regulations were observed to aggravate the postulated risks and vulnerability to future waves of pandemics. Our understanding underlines the urgent need to reinforce the fragile status of global environmental management systems through the development of strict legislative frameworks and enforcement by providing institutional, financial and technical supports.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khaled Al Huraimel
- Division of Consultancy, Research & Innovation (CRI), Sharjah Environment Company - Bee'ah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mohamed Alhosani
- Division of Consultancy, Research & Innovation (CRI), Sharjah Environment Company - Bee'ah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Hetasha Gopalani
- Division of Consultancy, Research & Innovation (CRI), Sharjah Environment Company - Bee'ah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Shabana Kunhabdulla
- Division of Consultancy, Research & Innovation (CRI), Sharjah Environment Company - Bee'ah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mohammed Hashem Stietiya
- Division of Consultancy, Research & Innovation (CRI), Sharjah Environment Company - Bee'ah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
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21
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Zhang Y, Hui FKP, Duffield C, Saeed AM. A review of facilities management interventions to mitigate respiratory infections in existing buildings. BUILDING AND ENVIRONMENT 2022; 221:109347. [PMID: 35782231 PMCID: PMC9238148 DOI: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2022.109347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2022] [Revised: 05/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The Covid-19 pandemic reveals that the hazard of the respiratory virus was a secondary consideration in the design, development, construction, and management of public and commercial buildings. Retrofitting such buildings poses a significant challenge for building owners and facilities managers. This article reviews current research and practices in building operations interventions for indoor respiratory infection control from the perspective of facilities managers to assess the effectiveness of available solutions. This review systematically selects and synthesises eighty-six articles identified through the PRISMA process plus supplementary articles identified as part of the review process, that deal with facilities' operations and maintenance (O&M) interventions. The paper reviewed the context, interventions, mechanisms, and outcomes discussed in these articles, concluding that interventions for respiratory virus transmission in existing buildings fall into three categories under the Facilities Management (FM) discipline: Hard services (HVAC and drainage system controls) to prevent aerosol transmissions, Soft Services (cleaning and disinfection) to prevent fomite transmissions, and space management (space planning and occupancy controls) to eliminate droplet transmissions. Additionally, the research emphasised the need for FM intervention studies that examine occupant behaviours with integrated intervention results and guide FM intervention decision-making. This review expands the knowledge of FM for infection control and highlights future research opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Zhang
- Department of Infrastructure Engineering, University of Melbourne, Level 6, Building 290, 700 Swanston Street, Carlton, Victoria, Australia
| | - Felix Kin Peng Hui
- Department of Infrastructure Engineering, University of Melbourne, Australia
| | - Colin Duffield
- Department of Infrastructure Engineering, University of Melbourne, Australia
| | - Ali Mohammed Saeed
- Department of Jobs, Regions and Precincts, Level 13, 1 Spring Street, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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22
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Silva PG, Branco PTBS, Soares RRG, Mesquita JR, Sousa SIV. SARS-CoV-2 air sampling: A systematic review on the methodologies for detection and infectivity. INDOOR AIR 2022; 32:e13083. [PMID: 36040285 PMCID: PMC9538005 DOI: 10.1111/ina.13083] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
This systematic review aims to present an overview of the current aerosol sampling methods (and equipment) being used to investigate the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in the air, along with the main parameters reported in the studies that are essential to analyze the advantages and disadvantages of each method and perspectives for future research regarding this mode of transmission. A systematic literature review was performed on PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, and Scopus to assess the current air sampling methodologies being applied to SARS-CoV-2. Most of the studies took place in indoor environments and healthcare settings and included air and environmental sampling. The collection mechanisms used were impinger, cyclone, impactor, filters, water-based condensation, and passive sampling. Most of the reviewed studies used RT-PCR to test the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the collected samples. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected with all collection mechanisms. From the studies detecting the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA, fourteen assessed infectivity. Five studies detected viable viruses using impactor, water-based condensation, and cyclone collection mechanisms. There is a need for a standardized protocol for sampling SARS-CoV-2 in air, which should also account for other influencing parameters, including air exchange ratio in the room sampled, relative humidity, temperature, and lighting conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Priscilla G Silva
- Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health (ITR), Porto, Portugal
- School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- LEPABE - Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- ALiCE - Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- Epidemiology Research Unit (EPI Unit), Institute of Public Health, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Pedro T B S Branco
- LEPABE - Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- ALiCE - Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Ruben R G Soares
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Science for Life Laboratory, Stockholm University, Solna, Sweden
- Division of Nanobiotechnology, Department of Protein Science, Science for Life Laboratory, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Solna, Sweden
| | - João R Mesquita
- Laboratory for Integrative and Translational Research in Population Health (ITR), Porto, Portugal
- Epidemiology Research Unit (EPI Unit), Institute of Public Health, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - Sofia I V Sousa
- LEPABE - Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
- ALiCE - Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
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23
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El-Malah SS, Saththasivam J, Jabbar KA, K K A, Gomez TA, Ahmed AA, Mohamoud YA, Malek JA, Abu Raddad LJ, Abu Halaweh HA, Bertollini R, Lawler J, Mahmoud KA. Application of human RNase P normalization for the realistic estimation of SARS-CoV-2 viral load in wastewater: A perspective from Qatar wastewater surveillance. ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION 2022; 27:102775. [PMID: 35761926 PMCID: PMC9220754 DOI: 10.1016/j.eti.2022.102775] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/19/2022] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
The apparent uncertainty associated with shedding patterns, environmental impacts, and sample processing strategies have greatly influenced the variability of SARS-CoV-2 concentrations in wastewater. This study evaluates the use of a new normalization approach using human RNase P for the logic estimation of SARS-CoV-2 viral load in wastewater. SARS-CoV-2 variants outbreak was monitored during the circulating wave between February and August 2021. Sewage samples were collected from five major wastewater treatment plants and subsequently analyzed to determine the viral loads in the wastewater. SARS-CoV-2 was detected in all the samples where the wastewater Ct values exhibited a similar trend as the reported number of new daily positive cases in the country. The infected population number was estimated using a mathematical model that compensated for RNA decay due to wastewater temperature and sewer residence time, and which indicated that the number of positive cases circulating in the population declined from 765,729 ± 142,080 to 2,303 ± 464 during the sampling period. Genomic analyses of SARS-CoV-2 of thirty wastewater samples collected between March 2021 and April 2021 revealed that alpha (B.1.1.7) and beta (B.1.351) were among the dominant variants of concern (VOC) in Qatar. The findings of this study imply that the normalization of data allows a more realistic assessment of incidence trends within the population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shimaa S El-Malah
- Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, P.O. Box 34110, Doha, Qatar
| | - Jayaprakash Saththasivam
- Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, P.O. Box 34110, Doha, Qatar
| | - Khadeeja Abdul Jabbar
- Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, P.O. Box 34110, Doha, Qatar
| | - Arun K K
- Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, P.O. Box 34110, Doha, Qatar
| | - Tricia A Gomez
- Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, P.O. Box 34110, Doha, Qatar
| | - Ayeda A Ahmed
- Genomics Laboratory, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q), Cornell University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Yasmin A Mohamoud
- Genomics Laboratory, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q), Cornell University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Joel A Malek
- Genomics Laboratory, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar (WCM-Q), Cornell University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Laith J Abu Raddad
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology Group, Weill Cornell Medicine-Qatar, Cornell University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Hussein A Abu Halaweh
- Drainage Network Operation & Maintenance Department, Public Works Authority, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Jenny Lawler
- Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, P.O. Box 34110, Doha, Qatar
| | - Khaled A Mahmoud
- Qatar Environment and Energy Research Institute (QEERI), Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, P.O. Box 34110, Doha, Qatar
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24
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Airborne infection risk assessment of COVID-19 in an inpatient department through on-site occupant behavior surveys. JOURNAL OF BUILDING ENGINEERING 2022; 51:104255. [PMCID: PMC8864063 DOI: 10.1016/j.jobe.2022.104255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Revised: 02/06/2022] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Airborne transmission is a possible infection route of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). This investigation focuses on the airborne infection risk of COVID-19 in a nursing unit in an inpatient building in Shenzhen, China. On-site measurements and questionnaire surveys were conducted to obtain the air change rates and occupant trajectories, respectively. The aerosol transport and dose–response models were applied to evaluate the infection risk. The average outdoor air change rate measured in the wards was 1.1 h−1, which is below the minimum limit of 2.0 h−1 required by ASHRAE 170–2021. Considering the surveyed occupant behavior during one week, the patients and their attendants spent an average of 19.4 h/d and 15.1 h/d, respectively, in the wards, whereas the nurses primarily worked in the nurse station (3.0 h/d) and wards (2.4 h/d). The doctors primarily worked in their offices (2.6 h/d) and wards (1.1 h/d). Assuming one undetected COVID-19 infector emitting severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in the nursing unit, we calculated the accumulated viral dose and infection probabilities of the occupants. After one week, the cumulative infection risks of the patients and attendants were almost equal (0.002), and were higher than those of the nurses (0.0013) and doctors (0.0004). Proper protection measures, such as reducing the number of attendants, increasing the air change rate, and wearing masks, were found to reduce the infection risk. It should be noted that the reported results are based on several assumptions, such as the speculated virological properties of SARS-CoV-2 and the particular trajectories of occupants. Moreover, only second generations of transmission were taken into consideration, whereas in reality, the week-long exposure may cause third generation of transmission or worse.
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25
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Tao Y, Zhang X, Qiu G, Spillmann M, Ji Z, Wang J. SARS-CoV-2 and other airborne respiratory viruses in outdoor aerosols in three Swiss cities before and during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2022; 164:107266. [PMID: 35512527 PMCID: PMC9060371 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2022.107266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2022] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
Caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has been affecting the world since the end of 2019. While virus-laden particles have been commonly detected and studied in the aerosol samples from indoor healthcare settings, studies are scarce on air surveillance of the virus in outdoor non-healthcare environments, including the correlations between SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory viruses, between viruses and environmental factors, and between viruses and human behavior changes due to the public health measures against COVID-19. Therefore, in this study, we collected airborne particulate matter (PM) samples from November 2019 to April 2020 in Bern, Lugano, and Zurich. Among 14 detected viruses, influenza A, HCoV-NL63, HCoV-HKU1, and HCoV-229E were abundant in air. SARS-CoV-2 and enterovirus were moderately common, while the remaining viruses occurred only in low concentrations. SARS-CoV-2 was detected in PM10 (PM below 10 µm) samples of Bern and Zurich, and PM2.5 (PM below 2.5 µm) samples of Bern which exhibited a concentration positively correlated with the local COVID-19 case number. The concentration was also correlated with the concentration of enterovirus which raised the concern of coinfection. The estimated COVID-19 infection risks of an hour exposure at these two sites were generally low but still cannot be neglected. Our study demonstrated the potential functionality of outdoor air surveillance of airborne respiratory viruses, especially at transportation hubs and traffic arteries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yile Tao
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich 8093, Switzerland; Laboratory for Advanced Analytical Technologies, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Dübendorf 8600, Switzerland
| | - Xiaole Zhang
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich 8093, Switzerland; Laboratory for Advanced Analytical Technologies, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Dübendorf 8600, Switzerland
| | - Guangyu Qiu
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich 8093, Switzerland; Laboratory for Advanced Analytical Technologies, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Dübendorf 8600, Switzerland
| | - Martin Spillmann
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich 8093, Switzerland; Laboratory for Advanced Analytical Technologies, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Dübendorf 8600, Switzerland
| | - Zheng Ji
- School of Geography and Tourism, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710119, China
| | - Jing Wang
- Institute of Environmental Engineering, ETH Zurich, Zurich 8093, Switzerland; Laboratory for Advanced Analytical Technologies, Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Dübendorf 8600, Switzerland.
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26
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Stettler MEJ, Nishida RT, de Oliveira PM, Mesquita LCC, Johnson TJ, Galea ER, Grandison A, Ewer J, Carruthers D, Sykes D, Kumar P, Avital E, Obeysekara AIB, Doorly D, Hardalupas Y, Green DC, Coldrick S, Parker S, Boies AM. Source terms for benchmarking models of SARS-CoV-2 transmission via aerosols and droplets. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2022. [PMID: 35592762 DOI: 10.6084/m9.figshare.c.5958950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
There is ongoing and rapid advancement in approaches to modelling the fate of exhaled particles in different environments relevant to disease transmission. It is important that models are verified by comparison with each other using a common set of input parameters to ensure that model differences can be interpreted in terms of model physics rather than unspecified differences in model input parameters. In this paper, we define parameters necessary for such benchmarking of models of airborne particles exhaled by humans and transported in the environment during breathing and speaking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc E J Stettler
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Robert T Nishida
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2G8
| | | | - Léo C C Mesquita
- Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1PZ, UK
| | - Tyler J Johnson
- Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1PZ, UK
| | - Edwin R Galea
- Fire Safety Engineering Group, University of Greenwich, London SE10 9LS, UK
| | - Angus Grandison
- Fire Safety Engineering Group, University of Greenwich, London SE10 9LS, UK
| | - John Ewer
- Fire Safety Engineering Group, University of Greenwich, London SE10 9LS, UK
| | - David Carruthers
- Cambridge Environmental Research Consultants Ltd, 3 Kings Parade, Cambridge CB2 1SJ, UK
| | | | - Prashant Kumar
- Global Centre for Clean Air Research (GCARE), Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, UK
| | - Eldad Avital
- School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, UK
| | - Asiri I B Obeysekara
- Applied Modelling and Computation Group, Department of Earth Science and Engineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Denis Doorly
- Department of Aeronautics, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Yannis Hardalupas
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - David C Green
- MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Environmental Research Group, Imperial College London, Michael Uren Biomedical Engineering Hub, London, W12 OBZ, UK
- NIHR HPRU in Environmental Exposures and Health, Imperial College London, Michael Uren Biomedical Engineering Hub, London, W12 OBZ, UK
| | - Simon Coldrick
- Health and Safety Executive, Harpur Hill, Buxton, Derbyshire SK17 9JN UK
| | - Simon Parker
- Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JQ, UK
| | - Adam M Boies
- Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1PZ, UK
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27
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Stettler MEJ, Nishida RT, de Oliveira PM, Mesquita LCC, Johnson TJ, Galea ER, Grandison A, Ewer J, Carruthers D, Sykes D, Kumar P, Avital E, Obeysekara AIB, Doorly D, Hardalupas Y, Green DC, Coldrick S, Parker S, Boies AM. Source terms for benchmarking models of SARS-CoV-2 transmission via aerosols and droplets. ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE 2022; 9:212022. [PMID: 35592762 PMCID: PMC9066307 DOI: 10.1098/rsos.212022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
There is ongoing and rapid advancement in approaches to modelling the fate of exhaled particles in different environments relevant to disease transmission. It is important that models are verified by comparison with each other using a common set of input parameters to ensure that model differences can be interpreted in terms of model physics rather than unspecified differences in model input parameters. In this paper, we define parameters necessary for such benchmarking of models of airborne particles exhaled by humans and transported in the environment during breathing and speaking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc E. J. Stettler
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Robert T. Nishida
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T6G 2G8
| | | | - Léo C. C. Mesquita
- Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1PZ, UK
| | - Tyler J. Johnson
- Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1PZ, UK
| | - Edwin R. Galea
- Fire Safety Engineering Group, University of Greenwich, London SE10 9LS, UK
| | - Angus Grandison
- Fire Safety Engineering Group, University of Greenwich, London SE10 9LS, UK
| | - John Ewer
- Fire Safety Engineering Group, University of Greenwich, London SE10 9LS, UK
| | - David Carruthers
- Cambridge Environmental Research Consultants Ltd, 3 Kings Parade, Cambridge CB2 1SJ, UK
| | | | - Prashant Kumar
- Global Centre for Clean Air Research (GCARE), Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Surrey, Guildford GU2 7XH, UK
| | - Eldad Avital
- School of Engineering and Materials Science, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, UK
| | - Asiri I. B. Obeysekara
- Applied Modelling and Computation Group, Department of Earth Science and Engineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Denis Doorly
- Department of Aeronautics, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Yannis Hardalupas
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - David C. Green
- MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Environmental Research Group, Imperial College London, Michael Uren Biomedical Engineering Hub, London, W12 OBZ, UK
- NIHR HPRU in Environmental Exposures and Health, Imperial College London, Michael Uren Biomedical Engineering Hub, London, W12 OBZ, UK
| | - Simon Coldrick
- Health and Safety Executive, Harpur Hill, Buxton, Derbyshire SK17 9JN UK
| | - Simon Parker
- Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Porton Down, Salisbury SP4 0JQ, UK
| | - Adam M. Boies
- Department of Engineering, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB2 1PZ, UK
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Inactivation of various variant types of SARS-CoV-2 by indoor-light-sensitive TiO 2-based photocatalyst. Sci Rep 2022; 12:5804. [PMID: 35422456 PMCID: PMC9010443 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-09402-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Photocatalysts are promising materials for solid-state antiviral coatings to protect against the spread of pandemic coronavirus disease (COVID-19). This paper reports that copper oxide nanoclusters grafted with titanium dioxide (CuxO/TiO2) inactivated the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus, including its Delta variant, even under dark condition, and further inactivated it under illumination with a white fluorescent bulb. To investigate its inactivation mechanism, the denaturation of spike proteins of SARS-CoV-2 was examined by sodium dodecyl sulphate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In addition to spike proteins, fragmentation of ribonucleic acids in SARS-CoV-2 was investigated by real-time reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). As a result, both spike proteins and RNAs in the SARS-CoV-2 virus were damaged by the CuxO/TiO2 photocatalyst even under dark condition and were further damaged under white fluorescent bulb illumination. Based on the present antiviral mechanism, the CuxO/TiO2 photocatalyst will be effective in inactivating other potential mutant strains of SARS-CoV-2. The CuxO/TiO2 photocatalyst can thus be used to reduce the infectious risk of COVID-19 in an indoor environment, where light illumination is turned on during the day and off during the night.
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Nwanochie E, Linnes JC. Review of non-invasive detection of SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory pathogens in exhaled breath condensate. J Breath Res 2022; 16:10.1088/1752-7163/ac59c7. [PMID: 35235925 PMCID: PMC9104940 DOI: 10.1088/1752-7163/ac59c7] [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: 11/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
In 2019, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged to cause high viral infectivity and severe respiratory illness in humans (COVID-19). Worldwide, limited pandemic mitigation strategies, including lack of diagnostic test availability, resulted in COVID-19 overrunning health systems and spreading throughout the global population. Currently, proximal respiratory tract (PRT) specimens such as nasopharyngeal swabs are used to diagnose COVID-19 because of their relative ease of collection and applicability in large scale screening. However, localization of SARS-CoV-2 in the distal respiratory tract (DRT) is associated with more severe infection and symptoms. Exhaled breath condensate (EBC) is a sample matrix comprising aerosolized droplets originating from alveolar lining fluid that are further diluted in the DRT and then PRT and collected via condensation during tidal breathing. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in recent resurgence of interest in EBC collection as an alternative, non-invasive sampling method for the staging and accurate detection of SARS-CoV-2 infections. Herein, we review the potential utility of EBC collection for detection of SARS-CoV-2 and other respiratory infections. While much remains to be discovered in fundamental EBC physiology, pathogen-airway interactions, and optimal sampling protocols, EBC, combined with emerging detection methods, presents a promising non-invasive sample matrix for detection of SARS-CoV-2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emeka Nwanochie
- Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States of America
| | - Jacqueline C Linnes
- Weldon School of Biomedical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, United States of America
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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] [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 \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}
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\begin{document}$$\upmu \hbox {m}$$\end{document}μm and bioaerosols <10 \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}
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\begin{document}$$\upmu \hbox {m}$$\end{document}μm directly captured during the combined expiratory activities of breathing, speaking and coughing using a standardized protocol, although the NP swabs had \documentclass[12pt]{minimal}
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\begin{document}$$^3\times$$\end{document}3× 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\documentclass[12pt]{minimal}
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\begin{document}$${\times }10^{5}$$\end{document}×105 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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Alvarenga MOP, Veloso SRM, Bezerra ALCA, Trindade BP, Gomes ASL, Monteiro GQDM. COVID-19 outbreak: Should dental and medical practices consider uv-c technology to enhance disinfection on surfaces? - A systematic review. JOURNAL OF PHOTOCHEMISTRY AND PHOTOBIOLOGY 2022; 9:100096. [PMID: 34931181 PMCID: PMC8674638 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpap.2021.100096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/13/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
AIMS During the COVID-19 pandemic the search for complementary methods to enhance manual disinfection in dental and medical practices raised relevance. We sought evidence for the addition of ultraviolet-C (UV-C) disinfection to manual cleaning protocols -and whether it improves the logarithmic (log) reduction of surface pathogen colonies. METHODS This review was registered at the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) under the number CRD420200193961. Six electronic sources were consulted looking for clinical trials performed in healthcare environments in which pathogens were quantified by colony-forming unit (CFU)-enumeration before and after interventions, all databases were last consulted on May 2021. We assessed the risk of bias using an adapted Revised Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool (RoB 2). The certainty of the evidence was qualified according to the Classification of Recommendations, Evaluation, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. RESULTS We identified 1012 records and 12 studies fulfilled the inclusion criteria. All included studies reported enhanced disinfection in the UV-C arm; most of them reported 1-log to 2-log reduction in approximately 10 to 25 min. Only three studies reached a 5-log and 6-log reduction. When manual cleaning was performed alone, only two studies reported a 1-log reduction using a chlorine-based disinfectant. We detected a high risk of bias in 1 study. Certainty of evidence was classified as moderate and low. CONCLUSIONS The evidence points out the effectiveness of UV-C technology in reducing manual cleaning failures, enhancing the logarithmic reduction of surface pathogen colonies. However, the safety and success of these devices will depend on several physical and biological factors. A judicious project must precede their use in clinical and medical offices under the supervision of a physicist or other trained professional.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Olimpia Paz Alvarenga
- Dental School, Universidade de Pernambuco, Instituto de Tecnologia de Pernambuco, Faculdade de Odontologia da, Cidade Universitária, ITEP/ Bloco B 1o. andar, Av. Prof. Luis Freire, 700 - Recife-PE CEP, , Pernambuco 50740-540, Brazil
| | - Sirley Raiane Mamede Veloso
- Dental School, Universidade de Pernambuco, Instituto de Tecnologia de Pernambuco, Faculdade de Odontologia da, Cidade Universitária, ITEP/ Bloco B 1o. andar, Av. Prof. Luis Freire, 700 - Recife-PE CEP, , Pernambuco 50740-540, Brazil
| | - Ana Luisa Cassiano Alves Bezerra
- Dental School, Universidade de Pernambuco, Instituto de Tecnologia de Pernambuco, Faculdade de Odontologia da, Cidade Universitária, ITEP/ Bloco B 1o. andar, Av. Prof. Luis Freire, 700 - Recife-PE CEP, , Pernambuco 50740-540, Brazil
| | - Benoît Paul Trindade
- School of Robotic and Interactive Systems, Faculté des Sciences et Ingénierie, Université Toulouse III, Haute-Garonne, France
| | | | - Gabriela Queiroz de Melo Monteiro
- Dental School, Universidade de Pernambuco, Instituto de Tecnologia de Pernambuco, Faculdade de Odontologia da, Cidade Universitária, ITEP/ Bloco B 1o. andar, Av. Prof. Luis Freire, 700 - Recife-PE CEP, , Pernambuco 50740-540, Brazil
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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: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [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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Lesho E, Newhart D, Reno L, Sleeper S, Nary J, Gutowski J, Yu S, Walsh E, Vargas R, Riedy D, Mayo R. Effectiveness of various cleaning strategies in acute and long-term care facilities during novel corona virus 2019 disease pandemic-related staff shortages. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0261365. [PMID: 35061676 PMCID: PMC8782535 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0261365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background
Cleanliness of hospital surfaces helps prevent healthcare-associated infections, but comparative evaluations of various cleaning strategies during COVID-19 pandemic surges and worker shortages are scarce.
Purpose and methods
To evaluate the effectiveness of daily, enhanced terminal, and contingency-based cleaning strategies in an acute care hospital (ACH) and a long-term care facility (LTCF), using SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) assays. Daily cleaning involved light dusting and removal of visible debris while a patient is in the room. Enhanced terminal cleaning involved wet moping and surface wiping with disinfectants after a patient is permanently moved out of a room followed by ultraviolet light (UV-C), electrostatic spraying, or room fogging. Contingency-based strategies, performed only at the LTCF, involved cleaning by a commercial environmental remediation company with proprietary chemicals and room fogging. Ambient surface contamination was also assessed randomly, without regard to cleaning times. Near-patient or high-touch stationary and non-stationary environmental surfaces were sampled with pre-moistened swabs in viral transport media.
Results
At the ACH, SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected on 66% of surfaces before cleaning and on 23% of those surfaces immediately after terminal cleaning, for a 65% post-cleaning reduction (p = 0.001). UV-C enhancement resulted in an 83% reduction (p = 0.023), while enhancement with electrostatic bleach application resulted in a 50% reduction (p = 0.010). ATP levels on RNA positive surfaces were not significantly different from those of RNA negative surfaces. LTCF contamination rates differed between the dementia, rehabilitation, and residential units (p = 0.005). 67% of surfaces had RNA after room fogging without terminal-style wiping. Fogging with wiping led to a -11% change in the proportion of positive surfaces. At the LTCF, mean ATP levels were lower after terminal cleaning (p = 0.016).
Conclusion
Ambient surface contamination varied by type of unit and outbreak conditions, but not facility type. Removal of SARS-CoV-2 RNA varied according to cleaning strategy.
Implications
Previous reports have shown time spent cleaning by hospital employed environmental services staff did not correlate with cleaning thoroughness. However, time spent cleaning by a commercial remediation company in this study was associated with cleaning effectiveness. These findings may be useful for optimizing allocation of cleaning resources during staffing shortages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emil Lesho
- Rochester Regional Health, Rochester, NY, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Donna Newhart
- Rochester Regional Health, Rochester, NY, United States of America
| | - Lisa Reno
- Rochester Regional Health, Rochester, NY, United States of America
| | - Scott Sleeper
- Rochester Regional Health, Rochester, NY, United States of America
| | - Julia Nary
- Rochester Regional Health, Rochester, NY, United States of America
| | | | - Stephanie Yu
- Rochester Regional Health, Rochester, NY, United States of America
| | - Edward Walsh
- University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry, Rochester, NY, United States of America
| | - Roberto Vargas
- Rochester Regional Health, Rochester, NY, United States of America
| | - Dawn Riedy
- Rochester Regional Health, Rochester, NY, United States of America
| | - Robert Mayo
- Rochester Regional Health, Rochester, NY, United States of America
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Loconsole D, Pierucci P, Casulli D, Barratta F, Chironna M, Carpagnano GE. Exhaled Breath Condensate (EBC) for SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis still an open debate. J Breath Res 2022; 16. [DOI: 10.1088/1752-7163/ac4dd3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
The real-time PCR (RT-PCR) on nasopharyngeal swabs (NPS) is the gold standard for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2. The exhaled breath condensate (EBC) is used to perform collection of biological fluid condensed in a refrigerated device from deep airways’ exhaled air. We aimed to verify the presence of SARS-CoV-2 virus in the EBC from patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection by RT-PCR, and to determine if the EBC may represent a valid alternative to the NPS. Methods: Seventeen consecutive patients admitted to the Emergency Department of the Policlinico were enrolled in the present study with RT-PCR, clinical and radiological evidence of SARS-CoV-2. Within 24 hours from the NPS collection the EBC collection was performed on SARS-CoV-2 positive patients. Informed written consent was gathered and the Ethic Committee approved the study. Results: The mean age of patients was 60 years (24-92) and 64.7% (11/17) were male. Patient n. 9 and n.17 died. All NPS resulted positive for SARS-CoV-2 at RT-PCR. RT-PCR on EBC resulted negative for all but one patients (patient n.12). Conclusion: In this study we did not find any correlation between positive NPS and the EBC in all but one patients enrolled. Based on these data which greatly differ from previous reports on the topic, this study opens several questions related to small differences in the complex process of EBC collection and how EBC could be really standardized for the diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Further studies will be warranted to deepen this topic.
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Chen W, Qian H, Zhang N, Liu F, Liu L, Li Y. Extended short-range airborne transmission of respiratory infections. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 422:126837. [PMID: 34399209 PMCID: PMC8342890 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126837] [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] [Received: 06/17/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Debate and scientific inquiries regarding airborne transmission of respiratory infections such as COVID-19 and influenza continue. Health authorities including the WHO and the US CDC have recognized the airborne transmission of COVID-19 in specific settings, although the ventilation requirements remain to be determined. In this work we consider the long-range airborne transmission as an extended short-range airborne route, which reconciles the link between short- and long-range airborne routes. The effective short-range distance is defined as the distance in short range at which long-range route has the same volumetric exposure value as that due to short-range route. Our data show that a decrease in ventilation rate or room volume per person, or an increase in the ratio of the number of infected to susceptible people reduces the effective short-range distance. In a normal breathing scenario with one out of five people infected and a room volume of 12 m3 per person to ensure an effective short-range distance of 1.5 m, a ventilation rate of 10 L/s per person is needed for a duration of 2 h. Our results suggest that effective environmental prevention strategies for respiratory infections require appropriate increases in the ventilation rate while maintaining a sufficiently low occupancy. PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS: Demonstration of the long-range airborne route as an extended short-range airborne route suggests the significant role played by building ventilation in respiratory infection exposure. The reconciliation of short- and long-range airborne transmission suggests that the commonly observed dominance of close-contact transmission is a probable evidence of short-range airborne transmission, following a separate earlier study that revealed the relative insignificance of large droplet transmission in comparison with the short-range airborne-route. Existing ventilation standards do not account for respiratory infection control, and this study presents a possible approach to account for infection under new ventilation standards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenzhao Chen
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China
| | - Hua Qian
- School of Energy and Environment, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Nan Zhang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Green Built Environment and Energy Efficient Technology, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Fan Liu
- School of Energy and Environment, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Li Liu
- School of Architecture, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Yuguo Li
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong, China.
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Ribaric NL, Vincent C, Jonitz G, Hellinger A, Ribaric G. Hidden hazards of SARS-CoV-2 transmission in hospitals: A systematic review. INDOOR AIR 2022; 32:e12968. [PMID: 34862811 DOI: 10.1111/ina.12968] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Revised: 09/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Despite their considerable prevalence, dynamics of hospital-associated COVID-19 are still not well understood. We assessed the nature and extent of air- and surface-borne SARS-CoV-2 contamination in hospitals to identify hazards of viral dispersal and enable more precise targeting of infection prevention and control. PubMed, ScienceDirect, Web of Science, Medrxiv, and Biorxiv were searched for relevant articles until June 1, 2021. In total, 51 observational cross-sectional studies comprising 6258 samples were included. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in one in six air and surface samples throughout the hospital and up to 7.62 m away from the nearest patients. The highest detection rates and viral concentrations were reported from patient areas. The most frequently and heavily contaminated types of surfaces comprised air outlets and hospital floors. Viable virus was recovered from the air and fomites. Among size-fractionated air samples, only fine aerosols contained viable virus. Aerosol-generating procedures significantly increased (ORair = 2.56 (1.46-4.51); ORsurface = 1.95 (1.27-2.99)), whereas patient masking significantly decreased air- and surface-borne SARS-CoV-2 contamination (ORair = 0.41 (0.25-0.70); ORsurface = 0.45 (0.34-0.61)). The nature and extent of hospital contamination indicate that SARS-CoV-2 is likely dispersed conjointly through several transmission routes, including short- and long-range aerosol, droplet, and fomite transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noach Leon Ribaric
- Faculty of Medicine, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Charles Vincent
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Günther Jonitz
- German Medical Association, Berlin, Germany
- State Chamber of Physicians Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Achim Hellinger
- Department of General, Visceral, Endocrine and Oncologic Surgery, Fulda Hospital, University Medicine Marburg Campus Fulda, Fulda, Germany
| | - Goran Ribaric
- Johnson & Johnson Institute, Norderstedt, Germany
- MedTech Europe, Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) and Healthcare Associated Infections (HAI) Sector Group, Brussels, Belgium
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Nannu Shankar S, Witanachchi CT, Morea AF, Lednicky JA, Loeb JC, Alam MM, Fan ZH, Eiguren-Fernandez A, Wu CY. SARS-CoV-2 in residential rooms of two self-isolating persons with COVID-19. JOURNAL OF AEROSOL SCIENCE 2022; 159:105870. [PMID: 34483358 PMCID: PMC8401278 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaerosci.2021.105870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 08/21/2021] [Accepted: 08/23/2021] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Individuals with COVID-19 are advised to self-isolate at their residences unless they require hospitalization. Persons sharing a dwelling with someone who has COVID-19 have a substantial risk of being exposed to the virus. However, environmental monitoring for the detection of virus in such settings is limited. We present a pilot study on environmental sampling for SARS-CoV-2 virions in the residential rooms of two volunteers with COVID-19 who self-quarantined. Apart from standard surface swab sampling, based on availability, four air samplers positioned 0.3-2.2 m from the volunteers were used: a VIable Virus Aerosol Sampler (VIVAS), an inline air sampler that traps particles on polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) filters, a NIOSH 2-stage cyclone sampler (BC-251), and a Sioutas personal cascade impactor sampler (PCIS). The latter two selectively collect particles of specific size ranges. SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected by real-time Reverse-Transcription quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (rRT-qPCR) analyses of particles in one air sample from the room of volunteer A and in various air and surface samples from that of volunteer B. The one positive sample collected by the NIOSH sampler from volunteer A's room had a quantitation cycle (Cq) of 38.21 for the N-gene, indicating a low amount of airborne virus [5.69E-02 SARS-CoV-2 genome equivalents (GE)/cm3 of air]. In contrast, air samples and surface samples collected off the mobile phone in volunteer B's room yielded Cq values ranging from 14.58 to 24.73 and 21.01 to 24.74, respectively, on the first day of sampling, indicating that this volunteer was actively shedding relatively high amounts of SARS-CoV-2 at that time. The SARS-CoV-2 GE/cm3 of air for the air samples collected by the PCIS was in the range 6.84E+04 to 3.04E+05 using the LED-N primer system, the highest being from the stage 4 filter, and similarly, ranged from 2.54E+03 to 1.68E+05 GE/cm3 in air collected by the NIOSH sampler. Attempts to isolate the virus in cell culture from the samples from volunteer B's room with the aforementioned Cq values were unsuccessful due to out-competition by a co-infecting Human adenovirus B3 (HAdVB3) that killed the Vero E6 cell cultures within 4 days of their inoculation, although Cq values of 34.56-37.32 were measured upon rRT-qPCR analyses of vRNA purified from the cell culture medium. The size distribution of SARS-CoV-2-laden aerosol particles collected from the air of volunteer B's room was >0.25 μm and >0.1 μm as recorded by the PCIS and the NIOSH sampler, respectively, suggesting a risk of aerosol transmission since these particles can remain suspended in air for an extended time and travel over long distances. The detection of virus in surface samples also underscores the potential for fomite transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in indoor settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sripriya Nannu Shankar
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, College of Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Chiran T Witanachchi
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, College of Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Alyssa F Morea
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, College of Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - John A Lednicky
- Department of Environmental and Global Health, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Julia C Loeb
- Department of Environmental and Global Health, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Md Mahbubul Alam
- Department of Environmental and Global Health, College of Public Health and Health Professions, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32610, USA
| | - Z Hugh Fan
- Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | | | - Chang-Yu Wu
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, College of Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
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Shrestha P, DeGraw JW, Zhang M, Liu X. Multizonal modeling of SARS-CoV-2 aerosol dispersion in a virtual office building. BUILDING AND ENVIRONMENT 2021; 206:108347. [PMID: 34566243 PMCID: PMC8451446 DOI: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2021.108347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2021] [Revised: 08/28/2021] [Accepted: 09/12/2021] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
The dispersion of indoor airborne contaminants across different zones within a mechanically ventilated building is a complex phenomenon driven by multiple factors. In this study, we modeled the indoor dispersion of airborne SARS-CoV-2 aerosols within a US Department of Energy detailed medium office prototype building using CONTAM software. The aim of this study is to improve our understanding about how different parts of a building can experience varying concentrations of the airborne viruses under different circumstances of release and mitigation strategies. Results indicate that unventilated stairwells can have significantly higher concentrations of airborne viruses. The mitigation strategies of morning and evening flushing of conditioned zones were not found to be very effective. Instead, a constant high percentage of outdoor air in the supply mix, and the use of masks, portable HEPA air cleaners, MERV 13 or higher HVAC air filters, and ultraviolet germicidal irradiation disinfection were effective strategies to prevent airborne viral contamination in the majority of the simulated office building.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prateek Shrestha
- Integrated Building Performance Group, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, USA
| | - Jason W DeGraw
- Integrated Building Performance Group, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, USA
| | - Mingkan Zhang
- Multifunctional Equipment Integration Group, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, USA
| | - Xiaobing Liu
- Building Equipment Research Group, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, TN, USA
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Kwak DB, Kim SC, Kuehn TH, Pui DYH. Quantitative analysis of droplet deposition produced by an electrostatic sprayer on a classroom table by using fluorescent tracer. BUILDING AND ENVIRONMENT 2021; 205:108254. [PMID: 34400851 PMCID: PMC8358112 DOI: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2021.108254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 08/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic situation, measures to mitigate the risk of transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in an indoor setting are urgently needed. Among the various types of disinfectant methods, electrostatic spraying is often applied to decontamination in public places. For quantitatively characterizing electrostatic spraying, we developed the novel evaluation method by using a fluorescent tracer. By applying this method, we performed three different experiment cases (static test on a table, static test on a cylinder, and dynamic test on a table) to figure out its unique characteristics (Coulombic fission and wraparound effect) and measure its performance in various aspects. To be specific, bimodal distribution with peak sizes of ~10 and ~100 μm was found due to Coulombic fission. Otherwise, a unimodal distribution with a peak size of ~100 μm occurred for the uncharged droplets. As a result, the effective contact area increased by 40-80 % due to small progeny droplets. The wraparound effect was examined on two different cylinders: copper (Cu) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) pipe. When the target surface was not charged (Cu 0 kV and PVC 0 kV), the average normalized concentrations on the backside of the cylinder (θ = 180°) increased by around 67 % for charged droplets. Meanwhile, when the target surface was highly charged (PVC -19 kV), the average normalized concentrations at θ = 180° were increased more than two times for charged droplets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong-Bin Kwak
- Particle Technology Laboratory, Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota, 111 Church St., S.E., Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Seong Chan Kim
- Particle Technology Laboratory, Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota, 111 Church St., S.E., Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - Thomas H Kuehn
- Particle Technology Laboratory, Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota, 111 Church St., S.E., Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
| | - David Y H Pui
- Particle Technology Laboratory, Mechanical Engineering, University of Minnesota, 111 Church St., S.E., Minneapolis, MN, 55455, USA
- School of Science and Engineering, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518172, China
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Liu H, Fei C, Chen Y, Luo S, Yang T, Yang L, Liu J, Ji X, Wu W, Song J. Investigating SARS-CoV-2 persistent contamination in different indoor environments. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 202:111763. [PMID: 34329634 PMCID: PMC8316642 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 07/23/2021] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Environmental contamination caused by COVID-19 patients could be a medium of transmission. Previous reports of SARS-CoV-2 in environmental surfaces were about short-term contamination. This study investigated SARS-CoV-2 RNA existence in room-temperature and low-temperature environments long after exposure (>28 days). A department store, where a COVID-19 outbreak was occurred in January 2020 (the epicenter of 43 COVID-19 patients), and a patient's apartment were included as room-temperature environments after being blocked for 57 days and 48 days, respectively. Seven cold storages and imported frozen foods inside were included as low-temperature environments (under -18 °C). Twenty food markets with potential contamination of imported frozen foods were also included to study the consecutive contamination. Information about temperature, relative humidity, and the number of days of environmental samples since the last exposure was collected and analyzed. In sum, 11,808 swab samples were collected before disinfection, of which 35 samples were positive. Persistent contamination of SARS-CoV-2 RNA was identified in the apartment (6/19), the department store (3/50), food packages in cold storages (23/1360), environmental surfaces of cold storages (2/345), and a package in the food market (1/10,034). Two positive samples were isolated from the bathroom of the apartment (66.7 %, 2/3), and doorknobs were proved with contamination in the apartment (40 %, 2/5) and cold storage (33.3 %, 1/3). The epidemiology information and environmental contamination results of an imported frozen food related COVID-19 case (138th COVID-19 patient in Tianjin) were analyzed. Based on the Ct values, the number of copies of two target genes was calculated by standard curves and linear regressions. In conclusion, SARS-CoV-2 RNA can be detected in room-temperature environments at least 57 days after the last exposure, much longer than previous reports. Based on the results of this study and previous studies, infectious SARS-CoV-2 could exist for at least 60 days on the surface of cold-chain food packages. Doorknobs and toilets (bathrooms) were important positions in COVID-19 control. High-risk populations of cold-chain-related logistic operations, such as porters, require strict prevention and high-level personal protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- He Liu
- Tianjin Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Tianjin, 300011, PR China.
| | - Chunnan Fei
- Tianjin Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Tianjin, 300011, PR China.
| | - Yinglei Chen
- Baodi District Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Tianjin, 301800, PR China
| | - Shengmao Luo
- Wuqing District Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Tianjin, 301738, PR China
| | - Tao Yang
- Binhai New Area Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Tianjin, 300454, PR China
| | - Lei Yang
- Tianjin Medical University Second Hospital, Tianjin, 300211, PR China
| | - Jun Liu
- Tianjin Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Tianjin, 300011, PR China
| | - Xueyue Ji
- Tianjin Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Tianjin, 300011, PR China
| | - Weishen Wu
- Tianjin Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Tianjin, 300011, PR China
| | - Jia Song
- Tianjin Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Tianjin, 300011, PR China
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Li H, Shankar SN, Witanachchi CT, Lednicky JA, Loeb JC, Alam MM, Fan ZH, Mohamed K, Eiguren-Fernandez A, Wu CY. Environmental Surveillance and Transmission Risk Assessments for SARS-CoV-2 in a Fitness Center. AEROSOL AND AIR QUALITY RESEARCH 2021; 21:210106. [PMID: 35047025 PMCID: PMC8765736 DOI: 10.4209/aaqr.210106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Fitness centers are considered high risk for SARS-CoV-2 transmission due to their high human occupancy and the type of activity taking place in them, especially when individuals pre-symptomatic or asymptomatic for COVID-19 exercise in the facilities. In this study, air (N=21) and surface (N=8) samples were collected at a fitness center through five sampling events from August to November 2020 after the reopening restrictions were lifted in Florida. The total attendance was ~2500 patrons during our air and environmental sampling work. Air samples were collected using stationary and personal bioaerosol samplers. Moistened flocked nylon swabs were used to collect samples from high-touch surfaces. We did not detect SARS-CoV-2 by rRT-PCR analyses in any air or surface sample. A simplified infection risk model based on the Wells-Riley equation predicts that the probability of infection in this fitness center was 1.77% following its ventilation system upgrades based on CDC guidelines, and that risk was further reduced to 0.89% when patrons used face masks. Our model also predicts that a combination of high ventilation, minimal air recirculation, air filtration, and UV sterilization of recirculated air reduced the infection risk up to 94% compared to poorly ventilated facilities. Amongst these measures, high ventilation with outdoor air is most critical in reducing the airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2. For buildings that cannot avoid air recirculation due to energy costs, the use of high filtration and/or air disinfection devices are alternatives to reducing the probability of acquiring SARS-CoV-2 through inhalation exposure. In contrast to the perceived ranking of high risk, the infection risk in fitness centers that follow CDC reopening guidance, including implementation of engineering and administrative controls, and use of personal protective equipment, can be low, and these facilities can offer a relatively safe venue for patrons to exercise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongwan Li
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, University of Florida, USA
| | | | | | - John A Lednicky
- Department of Environmental and Global Health, University of Florida, USA
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, USA
| | - Julia C Loeb
- Department of Environmental and Global Health, University of Florida, USA
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, USA
| | - Md Mahbubul Alam
- Department of Environmental and Global Health, University of Florida, USA
- Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, USA
| | - Z Hugh Fan
- Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, University of Florida, USA
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, USA
| | - Karim Mohamed
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, USA
| | | | - Chang-Yu Wu
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, University of Florida, USA
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Meng X, Wang X, Meng S, Wang Y, Liu H, Liang D, Fan W, Min H, Huang W, Chen A, Zhu H, Peng G, Liu J, Qiu Z, Wang T, Yang L, Wei Y, Huo P, Zhang D, Liu Y. A Global Overview of SARS-CoV-2 in Wastewater: Detection, Treatment, and Prevention. ACS ES&T WATER 2021; 1:2174-2185. [PMID: 37566346 PMCID: PMC8457323 DOI: 10.1021/acsestwater.1c00146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2021] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
A novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) causing corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has attracted global attention due to its highly infectious and pathogenic properties. Most of current studies focus on aerosols released from infected individuals, but the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater also should be examined. In this review, we used bibliometrics to statistically evaluate the importance of water-related issues in the context of COVID-19. The results show that the levels and transmission possibilities of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater are the main concerns, followed by potential secondary pollution by the intensive use of disinfectants, sludge disposal, and the personal safety of workers. The presence of SARS-CoV-2 in wastewater requires more attention during the COVID-19 pandemic. Thus, the most effective techniques, i.e., wastewater-based epidemiology and quantitative microbial risk assessment, for virus surveillance in wastewater are systematically analyzed. We further explicitly review and analyze the successful operation of a sewage treatment plant in Huoshenshan Hospital in China as an example and reference for other sewage treatment systems to properly ensure discharge safety and tackle the COVID-19 pandemic. This review offers deeper insight into the prevention and control of SARS-CoV-2 and similar viruses in the post-COVID-19 era from a wastewater perspective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xianghao Meng
- School of Space and Environment, Beihang
University, Beijing 100191, P. R. China
| | - Xuye Wang
- School of Space and Environment, Beihang
University, Beijing 100191, P. R. China
| | - Shujuan Meng
- School of Space and Environment, Beihang
University, Beijing 100191, P. R. China
| | - Ying Wang
- School of Space and Environment, Beihang
University, Beijing 100191, P. R. China
| | - Hongju Liu
- School of Space and Environment, Beihang
University, Beijing 100191, P. R. China
| | - Dawei Liang
- School of Space and Environment, Beihang
University, Beijing 100191, P. R. China
| | - Wenhong Fan
- School of Space and Environment, Beihang
University, Beijing 100191, P. R. China
| | - Hongping Min
- China Construction Third Bureau Green
Industry Investment Company, Ltd., Wuhan 430035, P. R.
China
| | - Wenhai Huang
- China Construction Third Bureau Green
Industry Investment Company, Ltd., Wuhan 430035, P. R.
China
| | - Anming Chen
- China Construction Third Bureau Green
Industry Investment Company, Ltd., Wuhan 430035, P. R.
China
| | - Haijun Zhu
- China Construction Third Bureau Green
Industry Investment Company, Ltd., Wuhan 430035, P. R.
China
| | - Guanping Peng
- China Construction Third Bureau Green
Industry Investment Company, Ltd., Wuhan 430035, P. R.
China
| | - Jun Liu
- China Construction Third Bureau Green
Industry Investment Company, Ltd., Wuhan 430035, P. R.
China
| | - Zhenhuan Qiu
- China Construction Third Bureau Green
Industry Investment Company, Ltd., Wuhan 430035, P. R.
China
| | - Tao Wang
- China Construction Third Bureau Green
Industry Investment Company, Ltd., Wuhan 430035, P. R.
China
| | - Linyan Yang
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering,
East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai
200237, P. R. China
| | - Yuan Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and
Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental
Science, Beijing 100012, P. R. China
| | - Peishu Huo
- School of Environment, Tsinghua
University, Beijing 100084, P. R. China
| | - Dayi Zhang
- School of Environment, Tsinghua
University, Beijing 100084, P. R. China
| | - Yu Liu
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering,
Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue,
Singapore 639798
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Haji Ali B, Shahin MS, Masoumi Sangani MM, Faghihinezhad M, Baghdadi M. Wastewater aerosols produced during flushing toilets, WWTPs, and irrigation with reclaimed municipal wastewater as indirect exposure to SARS-CoV-2. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING 2021; 9:106201. [PMID: 34405082 PMCID: PMC8361049 DOI: 10.1016/j.jece.2021.106201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2021] [Revised: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
The detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in raw and treated wastewater can open up a fresh perspective to waterborne and aerosolized wastewater as a new transmission route of SARS-CoV-2 RNA during the current pandemic. The aim of this paper is to discuss the potential transmission of SARS-CoV-2 RNA from wastewater aerosols formed during toilet flushing, plumbing failure, wastewater treatment plants, and municipal wastewater reuse for irrigation. Moreover, how these aerosols might increase the risk of exposure to this novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2 RNA). This article supplies a review of the literature on the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in untreated wastewater, as well as the fate and stability of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in wastewater. We also reviewed the existing literatures on generation and transmission of aerosolized wastewater through flush a toilet, house's plumbing networks, WWTPs, wastewater reuse for irrigation of agricultural areas. Finally, the article briefly studies the potential risk of infection with exposure to the fecal bioaerosols of SARS-CoV-2 RNA for the people who might be exposed through flushing toilets or faulty building plumbing systems, operators/workers in wastewater treatment plants, and workers of fields irrigated with treated wastewater - based on current knowledge. Although this review highlights the indirect transmission of SARS-CoV-2 RNA through wastewater aerosols, no research has yet clearly demonstrated the role of aerosolized wastewater in disease transmission regarding the continuation of this pandemic. Therefore, there is a need for additional studies on wastewater aerosols in transmission of COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Banafsheh Haji Ali
- School of Environment, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | | | | | - Mohsen Faghihinezhad
- School of Environment, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Majid Baghdadi
- School of Environment, College of Engineering, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
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Adelodun B, Ajibade FO, Tiamiyu AO, Nwogwu NA, Ibrahim RG, Kumar P, Kumar V, Odey G, Yadav KK, Khan AH, Cabral-Pinto MMS, Kareem KY, Bakare HO, Ajibade TF, Naveed QN, Islam S, Fadare OO, Choi KS. Monitoring the presence and persistence of SARS-CoV-2 in water-food-environmental compartments: State of the knowledge and research needs. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 200:111373. [PMID: 34033834 PMCID: PMC8142028 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2021] [Revised: 05/15/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 05/18/2023]
Abstract
The recent spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SAR-CoV-2) and the accompanied coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has continued ceaselessly despite the implementations of popular measures, which include social distancing and outdoor face masking as recommended by the World Health Organization. Due to the unstable nature of the virus, leading to the emergence of new variants that are claimed to be more and rapidly transmissible, there is a need for further consideration of the alternative potential pathways of the virus transmissions to provide the needed and effective control measures. This review aims to address this important issue by examining the transmission pathways of SARS-CoV-2 via indirect contacts such as fomites and aerosols, extending to water, food, and other environmental compartments. This is essentially required to shed more light regarding the speculation of the virus spread through these media as the available information regarding this is fragmented in the literature. The existing state of the information on the presence and persistence of SARS-CoV-2 in water-food-environmental compartments is essential for cause-and-effect relationships of human interactions and environmental samples to safeguard the possible transmission and associated risks through these media. Furthermore, the integration of effective remedial measures previously used to tackle the viral outbreaks and pandemics, and the development of new sustainable measures targeting at monitoring and curbing the spread of SARS-CoV-2 were emphasized. This study concluded that alternative transmission pathways via human interactions with environmental samples should not be ignored due to the evolving of more infectious and transmissible SARS-CoV-2 variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bashir Adelodun
- Department of Agricultural Civil Engineering, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41566, South Korea; Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, University of Ilorin, PMB 1515, Ilorin, 240103, Nigeria.
| | - Fidelis Odedishemi Ajibade
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Technology, PMB 704, Akure, Nigeria; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology, Research Centre for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, PR China
| | | | - Nathaniel Azubuike Nwogwu
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, PR China; Department of Agricultural and Bioresources Engineering, Federal University of Technology Owerri, PMB 1526, Nigeria; State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, PR China
| | | | - Pankaj Kumar
- Agro-ecology and Pollution Research Laboratory, Department of Zoology and Environmental Science, Gurukula Kangri (Deemed to be University), Haridwar, 249404, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Vinod Kumar
- Agro-ecology and Pollution Research Laboratory, Department of Zoology and Environmental Science, Gurukula Kangri (Deemed to be University), Haridwar, 249404, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Golden Odey
- Department of Agricultural Civil Engineering, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41566, South Korea
| | - Krishna Kumar Yadav
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Madhyanchal Professional University, Ratibad, Bhopal, 462044, India
| | - Afzal Husain Khan
- Civil Engineering Department, College of Engineering, Jazan University, 114, Jazan, Saudi Arabia
| | - Marina M S Cabral-Pinto
- Geobiotec Research Centre, Department of Geoscience, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Kola Yusuff Kareem
- Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering, University of Ilorin, PMB 1515, Ilorin, 240103, Nigeria
| | | | - Temitope Fausat Ajibade
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Technology, PMB 704, Akure, Nigeria; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, PR China; Key Laboratory of Urban Pollutant Conversion, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen, 361021, PR China
| | | | - Saiful Islam
- Civil Engineering Department, College of Engineering, King Khalid University, Abha, 61413, Asir, Saudi Arabia
| | - Oluniyi Olatunji Fadare
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, PR China; State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; Division of Environmental and Earth Sciences, Centre for Energy Research and Development, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, 220001, Nigeria
| | - Kyung Sook Choi
- Department of Agricultural Civil Engineering, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, 41566, South Korea; Institute of Agricultural Science & Technology, Kyungpook, National University, Daegu, 41566, South Korea.
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45
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Chen WH, Chang CM, Mutuku JK, Lam SS, Lee WJ. Aerosol deposition and airflow dynamics in healthy and asthmatic human airways during inhalation. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 416:125856. [PMID: 34492805 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.125856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Revised: 03/13/2021] [Accepted: 04/06/2021] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Inhalation of aerosols such as pharmaceutical aerosols or virus aerosol uptake is of great concern to the human population. To elucidate the underlying aerosol dynamics, the deposition fractions (DFs) of aerosols in healthy and asthmatic human airways of generations 13-15 are predicted. The Navier-stokes equations governing the gaseous phase and the discrete phase model for particles' motion are solved using numerical methods. The main forces responsible for deposition are inertial impaction forces and complex secondary flow velocities. The curvatures and sinusoidal folds in the asthmatic geometry lead to the formation of complex secondary flows and hence higher DFs. The intensities of complex secondary flows are strongest at the generations affected by asthma. The DF in the healthy airways is 0%, and it ranges from 1.69% to 52.93% in the asthmatic ones. From this study, the effects of the pharmaceutical aerosol particle diameters in the treatment of asthma patients can be established, which is conducive to inhibiting the inflammation of asthma airways. Furthermore, with the recent development of COVID-19 which causes pneumonia, the predicted physics and effective simulation methods of bioaerosols delivery to asthma patients are vital to prevent the exacerbation of the chronic ailment and the epidemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Hsin Chen
- Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan; Research Center for Smart Sustainable Circular Economy, Tunghai University, Taichung 407, Taiwan; Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Chin-Yi University of Technology, Taichung 411, Taiwan.
| | - Che-Ming Chang
- Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan; International Master Degree Program on Energy Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan
| | - Justus Kavita Mutuku
- Department of Environmental Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan; Center for Environmental Toxin and Emerging-Contaminant Research, Cheng Shiu University, Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan; Super micro mass research and technology center, Cheng Shiu University, Kaohsiung 833, Taiwan
| | - Su Shiung Lam
- Pyrolysis Technology Research Group, Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE), Institute of Tropical Aquaculture and Fisheries (AKUATROP), Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Kuala Nerus 21030, Terengganu, Malaysia; Henan Province Engineering Research Center for Biomass Value-Added Products, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, Henan, China
| | - Wen-Jhy Lee
- Department of Environmental Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan
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46
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Wang P, Zhang N, Miao T, Chan JPT, Huang H, Lee PKH, Li Y. Surface touch network structure determines bacterial contamination spread on surfaces and occupant exposure. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 416:126137. [PMID: 34492926 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 05/08/2021] [Accepted: 05/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Fomites are known to spread infectious diseases, but their role in determining transmission risk remains unclear. The association of surface touch networks (STNs), proposed to explain this risk, with real-life surface contamination has not yet been demonstrated. To construct STNs, we collected surface touch data from 23 to 26 scholars through 2 independent experiments conducted in office spaces for 13 h each. In parallel, a tracer bacterium (Lactobacillus bulgaricus) was spread by a designated carrier in each experiment during normal activities; the subsequent extent of surface contamination was assessed using qPCR. The touch data were also analyzed using an agent-based model that predicted the observed contamination. Touching public (door handles) and hidden public (desks, chair seatbacks) surfaces that connected occupants, sparse hand-to-hand contact, and active carriers contributed significantly to contamination spread, which was also correlated with the size of the social group containing carriers. The natural and unsupervised experiments reflected realistic exposure levels of mouths (1-10 ppm of total contamination spread by one root carrier), nostrils (~1 ppm), and eyes (~0.1 ppm). We conclude that the contamination degree of known and hidden public surfaces can indicate fomite exposure risk. The social group effect could trigger superspreading events through fomite transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peihua Wang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Nan Zhang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; Key Laboratory of Green Built Environment and Energy Efficient Technology, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Te Miao
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Jack P T Chan
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Hong Huang
- Institute of Public Safety Research, Department of Engineering Physics, Tsinghua University, Beijing, China
| | - Patrick K H Lee
- School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Yuguo Li
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; School of Public Health, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
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Buonerba A, Corpuz MVA, Ballesteros F, Choo KH, Hasan SW, Korshin GV, Belgiorno V, Barceló D, Naddeo V. Coronavirus in water media: Analysis, fate, disinfection and epidemiological applications. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 415:125580. [PMID: 33735767 PMCID: PMC7932854 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.125580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2020] [Revised: 03/02/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Considerable attention has been recently given to possible transmission of SARS-CoV-2 via water media. This review addresses this issue and examines the fate of coronaviruses (CoVs) in water systems, with particular attention to the recently available information on the novel SARS-CoV-2. The methods for the determination of viable virus particles and quantification of CoVs and, in particular, of SARS-CoV-2 in water and wastewater are discussed with particular regard to the methods of concentration and to the emerging methods of detection. The analysis of the environmental stability of CoVs, with particular regard of SARS-CoV-2, and the efficacy of the disinfection methods are extensively reviewed as well. This information provides a broad view of the state-of-the-art for researchers involved in the investigation of CoVs in aquatic systems, and poses the basis for further analyses and discussions on the risk associated to the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in water media. The examined data indicates that detection of the virus in wastewater and natural water bodies provides a potentially powerful tool for quantitative microbiological risk assessment (QMRA) and for wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) for the evaluation of the level of circulation of the virus in a population. Assays of the viable virions in water media provide information on the integrity, capability of replication (in suitable host species) and on the potential infectivity. Challenges and critical issues relevant to the detection of coronaviruses in different water matrixes with both direct and surrogate methods as well as in the implementation of epidemiological tools are presented and critically discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Buonerba
- Sanitary Environmental Engineering Division (SEED), Department of Civil Engineering, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, Fisciano, SA, Italy; Inter-University Centre for Prediction and Prevention of Relevant Hazards (Centro Universitario per la Previsione e Prevenzione Grandi Rischi, C.U.G.RI.), Via Giovanni Paolo II, Fisciano, SA, Italy
| | - Mary Vermi Aizza Corpuz
- Environmental Engineering Program, National Graduate School of Engineering, University of the Philippines, 1101 Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines
| | - Florencio Ballesteros
- Environmental Engineering Program, National Graduate School of Engineering, University of the Philippines, 1101 Diliman, Quezon City, Philippines
| | - Kwang-Ho Choo
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Kyungpook National University (KNU), 80 Daehak-ro, Bukgu, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Shadi W Hasan
- Center for Membranes and Advanced Water Technology (CMAT), Department of Chemical Engineering, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Gregory V Korshin
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Washington, Box 352700, Seattle, WA 98105-2700, United States
| | - Vincenzo Belgiorno
- Sanitary Environmental Engineering Division (SEED), Department of Civil Engineering, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, Fisciano, SA, Italy
| | - Damià Barceló
- Catalan Institute for Water Research (ICR-CERCA), H2O Building, Scientific and Technological Park of the University of Girona, Emili Grahit 101, 17003 Girona, Spain
| | - Vincenzo Naddeo
- Sanitary Environmental Engineering Division (SEED), Department of Civil Engineering, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, Fisciano, SA, Italy.
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48
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Zhang N, Chen X, Jia W, Jin T, Xiao S, Chen W, Hang J, Ou C, Lei H, Qian H, Su B, Li J, Liu D, Zhang W, Xue P, Liu J, Weschler LB, Xie J, Li Y, Kang M. Evidence for lack of transmission by close contact and surface touch in a restaurant outbreak of COVID-19. J Infect 2021; 83:207-216. [PMID: 34062182 PMCID: PMC8164346 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2021.05.030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 05/23/2021] [Accepted: 05/26/2021] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is primarily a respiratory disease that has become a global pandemic. Close contact plays an important role in infection spread, while fomite may also be a possible transmission route. Research during the COVID-19 pandemic has identified long-range airborne transmission as one of the important transmission routes although lack solid evidence. METHODS We examined video data related to a restaurant associated COVID-19 outbreak in Guangzhou. We observed more than 40,000 surface touches and 13,000 episodes of close contacts in the restaurant during the entire lunch duration. These data allowed us to analyse infection risk via both the fomite and close contact routes. RESULTS There is no significant correlation between the infection risk via both fomite and close contact routes among those who were not family members of the index case. We can thus rule out virus transmission via fomite contact and interpersonal close contact routes in the Guangzhou restaurant outbreak. The absence of a fomite route agrees with the COVID-19 literature. CONCLUSIONS These results provide indirect evidence for the long-range airborne route dominating SARS-CoV-2 transmission in the restaurant. We note that the restaurant was poorly ventilated, allowing for increasing airborne SARS-CoV-2 concentration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Zhang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Green Built Environment and Energy Efficient Technology, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Xuguang Chen
- Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangdong province, China
| | - Wei Jia
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong
| | - Tianyi Jin
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Green Built Environment and Energy Efficient Technology, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Shenglan Xiao
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Wenzhao Chen
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong
| | - Jian Hang
- School of Atmospheric Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Cuiyun Ou
- School of Atmospheric Sciences, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hao Lei
- School of Public Health, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Hua Qian
- School of Energy and Environment, Southeast University, Nanjing, China
| | - Boni Su
- China Electric Power Planning & Engineering Institute, Beijing, China
| | - Jiansen Li
- Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangdong province, China
| | - Dongmei Liu
- Fogang County Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangdong, China
| | - Weirong Zhang
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Green Built Environment and Energy Efficient Technology, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Peng Xue
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Green Built Environment and Energy Efficient Technology, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, China
| | - Jiaping Liu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Green Built Environment and Energy Efficient Technology, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, China
| | | | - Jingchao Xie
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Green Built Environment and Energy Efficient Technology, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, China.
| | - Yuguo Li
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong; School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong.
| | - Min Kang
- Guangdong Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Guangdong province, China; School of Public Health, Southern Medical University, Guangzhou, China.
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49
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Amereh F, Negahban-Azar M, Isazadeh S, Dabiri H, Masihi N, Jahangiri-Rad M, Rafiee M. Sewage Systems Surveillance for SARS-CoV-2: Identification of Knowledge Gaps, Emerging Threats, and Future Research Needs. Pathogens 2021. [PMID: 34451410 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10080946.pmid:34451410;pmcid:pmc8402176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/23/2023] Open
Abstract
The etiological agent for novel coronavirus (COVID-19, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), not only affects the human respiratory system, but also the gastrointestinal tract resulting in gastrointestinal manifestations. The high rate of asymptomatic infected individuals has challenged the estimation of infection spread based on patients' surveillance, and thus alternative approaches such as wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) have been proposed. Accordingly, the number of publications on this topic has increased substantially. The present systematic review thus aimed at providing state-of-the-knowledge on the occurrence and existing methods for sampling procedures, detection/quantification of SARS-CoV-2 in sewage samples, as well as anticipating challenges and providing future research direction to improve the current scientific knowledge. Articles were collected from three scientific databases. Only studies reporting measurements of virus in stool, urine, and wastewater samples were included. Results showed that improving the scientific community's understanding in these avenues is essential if we are to develop appropriate policy and management tools to address this pandemic pointing particularly towards WBE as a new paradigm in public health. It was also evident that standardized protocols are needed to ensure reproducibility and comparability of outcomes. Areas that require the most improvements are sampling procedures, concentration/enrichment, detection, and quantification of virus in wastewater, as well as positive controls. Results also showed that selecting the most accurate population estimation method for WBE studies is still a challenge. While the number of people infected in an area could be approximately estimated based on quantities of virus found in wastewater, these estimates should be cross-checked by other sources of information to draw a more comprehensive conclusion. Finally, wastewater surveillance can be useful as an early warning tool, a management tool, and/or a way for investigating vaccination efficacy and spread of new variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Amereh
- Environmental and Occupational Hazards Control Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 35511, Iran
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 35511, Iran
| | - Masoud Negahban-Azar
- Department of Environmental Science and Technology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20740, USA
| | - Siavash Isazadeh
- Environmental Service, Suez Water North America, Paramus, NJ 07652, USA
| | - Hossein Dabiri
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 35511, Iran
| | - Najmeh Masihi
- Environmental and Occupational Hazards Control Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 35511, Iran
| | - Mahsa Jahangiri-Rad
- Water Purification Research Center, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran 19168, Iran
| | - Mohammad Rafiee
- Environmental and Occupational Hazards Control Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 35511, Iran
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 35511, Iran
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50
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Amereh F, Negahban-Azar M, Isazadeh S, Dabiri H, Masihi N, Jahangiri-rad M, Rafiee M. Sewage Systems Surveillance for SARS-CoV-2: Identification of Knowledge Gaps, Emerging Threats, and Future Research Needs. Pathogens 2021; 10:946. [PMID: 34451410 PMCID: PMC8402176 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10080946] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2021] [Revised: 07/04/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The etiological agent for novel coronavirus (COVID-19, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), not only affects the human respiratory system, but also the gastrointestinal tract resulting in gastrointestinal manifestations. The high rate of asymptomatic infected individuals has challenged the estimation of infection spread based on patients' surveillance, and thus alternative approaches such as wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) have been proposed. Accordingly, the number of publications on this topic has increased substantially. The present systematic review thus aimed at providing state-of-the-knowledge on the occurrence and existing methods for sampling procedures, detection/quantification of SARS-CoV-2 in sewage samples, as well as anticipating challenges and providing future research direction to improve the current scientific knowledge. Articles were collected from three scientific databases. Only studies reporting measurements of virus in stool, urine, and wastewater samples were included. Results showed that improving the scientific community's understanding in these avenues is essential if we are to develop appropriate policy and management tools to address this pandemic pointing particularly towards WBE as a new paradigm in public health. It was also evident that standardized protocols are needed to ensure reproducibility and comparability of outcomes. Areas that require the most improvements are sampling procedures, concentration/enrichment, detection, and quantification of virus in wastewater, as well as positive controls. Results also showed that selecting the most accurate population estimation method for WBE studies is still a challenge. While the number of people infected in an area could be approximately estimated based on quantities of virus found in wastewater, these estimates should be cross-checked by other sources of information to draw a more comprehensive conclusion. Finally, wastewater surveillance can be useful as an early warning tool, a management tool, and/or a way for investigating vaccination efficacy and spread of new variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Amereh
- Environmental and Occupational Hazards Control Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 35511, Iran; (F.A.); (N.M.)
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 35511, Iran
| | - Masoud Negahban-Azar
- Department of Environmental Science and Technology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD 20740, USA
| | - Siavash Isazadeh
- Environmental Service, Suez Water North America, Paramus, NJ 07652, USA;
| | - Hossein Dabiri
- Department of Medical Microbiology, School of Medicine, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 35511, Iran;
| | - Najmeh Masihi
- Environmental and Occupational Hazards Control Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 35511, Iran; (F.A.); (N.M.)
| | - Mahsa Jahangiri-rad
- Water Purification Research Center, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran 19168, Iran;
| | - Mohammad Rafiee
- Environmental and Occupational Hazards Control Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 35511, Iran; (F.A.); (N.M.)
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran 35511, Iran
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