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Perera K, Ziajahromi S, Nash SB, Leusch FDL. Evaluating the retention of airborne microplastics on plant leaf: Influence of leaf morphology. Environ Pollut 2024; 346:123673. [PMID: 38423270 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/27/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Airborne microplastics (AMPs) have been identified in both indoor and outdoor environments and account for a large portion of an individual's daily exposure to microplastics. Thus, it is crucial to find effective methods to capture and control the levels of AMPs and ultimately reduce human exposure. While terrestrial plants have been recognized for their effectiveness in capturing airborne particles, little is known about their ability to capture AMPs. This study investigated the ability of 8 natural plant species and 2 artificial plants to capture AMPs, as well as the influence of leaf morphology on this retention. Plant leaves were exposed to AMPs for two weeks, and deposited AMPs were characterized using a Micro-Fourier Transform Infrared (μ-FTIR)spectroscopy. Selected cleaned leaves were further digested, and the presence of subsurface AMPs was confirmed using μ-Raman spectroscopy. Results revealed that AMPs were retained on the leaves of all selected plant species at concentrations ranging from 0.02 to 0.87 n/cm2. The highest average concentration was observed on an artificial plant with fenestrated leaves, followed by natural plant species with trichomes and leaflets. The lowest concentration was observed on a natural plant with smooth leaves. The majority (90%) of retained AMPs were fibres, and the remaining were fragments. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) was the prominent polymer type. Additionally, AMP fragments were observed in the leaf subsurface in one selected species, likely retained within the leaf cuticles. The results suggest that plant leaves can indiscriminately retain AMPs on their surfaces and act as temporary sinks for AMPs. Additionally, indoor plants may provide a useful functional role in reducing indoor AMP concentrations, although longer-term studies are needed to ascertain their retention capacity more accurately over time and to evaluate the capability of indoor plants to act as a suitable, cost-effective candidate for reducing AMPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kushani Perera
- Australian Rivers Institute, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Southport Qld, 4222, Australia.
| | - Shima Ziajahromi
- Australian Rivers Institute, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Southport Qld, 4222, Australia
| | - Susan Bengtson Nash
- Centre for Planetary Health and Food Security, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Southport Qld, 4222, Australia
| | - Frederic D L Leusch
- Australian Rivers Institute, School of Environment and Science, Griffith University, Southport Qld, 4222, Australia
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2
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Raphe P, Fellouah H, Poncet S, Ameur M. "Parametric study on the age of air in a full-scale office room using perforated duct diffusers.". Heliyon 2024; 10:e26667. [PMID: 38463864 PMCID: PMC10923659 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e26667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2022] [Revised: 03/28/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Following the recent pandemic of COVID-19, scientists have made many efforts to devise a workable solution for it, worldwide. However, it was shown that the protective effect of a well-conditioning system is as high as five times in comparison to the face-covering and other proposed procedures. In this context, the age of air and the type of filtration systems in closed spaces became the critical criteria for comparing the capability of ventilation systems. In this paper, a validated numerical model for the perforated duct diffusers is used to study the behaviour of the local age of air at the full-scale office with 8 feet (2.44 [m]) height, under various initial conditions like initial velocity and air change per hour. Also, different geometries for the ducts have been investigated under the same initial condition, as well as the effect of direction, ventilation effectiveness, and flow pattern. Finally, the volume average of the age of air at different zones has been nominated to perform the sensitivity analysis of each variable based on the variation of the airflow. The results show that diffusers with vertical perforations would be more effective during the pandemic than the other types in airborne mitigation. Moreover, the highest available airflow shall be set until such time there is no windy area in the breathing zone. Within these modifications, the residence time of the infectious nuclei in the breathing zone may decrease by up to 30%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peyman Raphe
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Hachimi Fellouah
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
| | - Sébastien Poncet
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
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Luo D, Wang Z, Liao Z, Chen G, Ji X, Sang Y, Qu L, Chen Z, Wang Z, Dahlgren RA, Zhang M, Shang X. Airborne microplastics in urban, rural and wildland environments on the Tibetan Plateau. J Hazard Mater 2024; 465:133177. [PMID: 38064947 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.133177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
The concentration of airborne microplastics is largely unknown in the remote high mountain area of the Tibetan Plateau. Here we report airborne microplastic concentrations of 2.5-58.8 n/m3 in urban, rural and wildland areas across the Tibetan Plateau, with smaller (∼89% <100 µm) fragments (>80%) dominating. Polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, polyamide and polystyrene were the dominant polymers of airborne microplastics on the Tibetan Plateau. Distribution of airborne microplastics was positively correlated with anthropogenic activity indices, such as population density and nighttime light intensity. Although the contribution of long-range atmospheric transport is valid, dispersed villages also appear to be a source of airborne microplastics for wildland areas across the Tibetan Plateau.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dehua Luo
- Key Laboratory of Watershed Sciences and Health of Zhejiang Province, School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Zhenfeng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Watershed Sciences and Health of Zhejiang Province, School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Zhonglu Liao
- Key Laboratory of Watershed Sciences and Health of Zhejiang Province, School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Gang Chen
- Key Laboratory of Watershed Sciences and Health of Zhejiang Province, School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Xiaoliang Ji
- Key Laboratory of Watershed Sciences and Health of Zhejiang Province, School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Yanfang Sang
- Key Laboratory of Water Cycle and Related Land Surface Processes, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Liyin Qu
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Ecological Treatment Technology for Urban Water Pollution, Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab for Subtropical Water Environment and Marine Biological Resources Protection, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Zheng Chen
- Key Laboratory of Watershed Sciences and Health of Zhejiang Province, School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China.
| | - Zhonggen Wang
- Key Laboratory of Water Cycle and Related Land Surface Processes, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Randy A Dahlgren
- Key Laboratory of Watershed Sciences and Health of Zhejiang Province, School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China; Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, University of California Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Minghua Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Watershed Sciences and Health of Zhejiang Province, School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China; Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, University of California Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Xu Shang
- Key Laboratory of Watershed Sciences and Health of Zhejiang Province, School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China.
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Soo JC, Wei CH, Chen JK, Dong GC, Liu ZS, Chou HC, Perez RL, Adhikari A, Chen YC. Assessment of inhalation exposure to microplastic particles when disposable masks are repeatedly used. Sci Total Environ 2024; 912:169428. [PMID: 38104815 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Wearing masks to prevent infectious diseases, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, is common. However, concerns arise about inhalation exposure to microplastics (MPs) when disposable masks are improperly reused. In this study, we assessed whether disposable masks release inhalable MPs when reused in simulated wearing conditions. All experiments were conducted using a controlled test chamber setup with a constant inspiratory flow. Commercially available medical masks with a three-layer material, composition comprising polypropylene (PP in the outer and middle layers) and polyethylene (PE in the inner layer), were used as the test material. Brand-new masks with and without hand rubbing, as well as reused medical masks, were tested. Physical properties (number, size, and shape) and chemical composition (polymers) were identified using various analytical techniques such as fluorescence staining, fluorescence microscopy, and micro-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (μFTIR). Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) was used to scrutinize the surface structure of reused masks across different layers, elucidating the mechanism behind the MP generation. The findings revealed that brand-new masks subjected to hand rubbing exhibited a higher cumulative count of MPs, averaging approximately 1.5 times more than those without hand rubbing. Fragments remained the predominant shape across all selected size classes among the released MPs from reused masks, primarily through a physical abrasion mechanism, accounting for >90 % of the total MPs. The numbers of PE particles were higher than PP particles, indicating that the inner layer of the mask contributed more inhalable MPs than the middle and outer layers combined. The released MPs from reused masks reached their peak after 8 h of wearing. This implies that regularly replacing masks serves as a preventive measure and mitigates associated health risks of inhalation exposure to MPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jhy-Charm Soo
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Environmental Health Sciences, Jiann-Ping Hsu College Public Health, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA 30460, USA
| | - Chun-Hsuan Wei
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Jen-Kun Chen
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Nanomedicine, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Guo-Chung Dong
- Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Nanomedicine, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan
| | - Zhen-Shu Liu
- Department of Safety, Health and Environmental Engineering, Ming Chi University of Technology, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Hsiu-Chuan Chou
- Institute of Analytical and Environmental Sciences, National Tsing Hua University, Hsinchu, Taiwan
| | - Rocio L Perez
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Physics, College of Science and Mathematics, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA 30460, USA
| | - Atin Adhikari
- Department of Biostatistics, Epidemiology and Environmental Health Sciences, Jiann-Ping Hsu College Public Health, Georgia Southern University, Statesboro, GA 30460, USA
| | - Yu-Cheng Chen
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, National Health Research Institutes, Miaoli, Taiwan; Department of Occupational Safety and Health, China Medical University, 91 Hsueh-Shih Road, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Safety, Health and Environmental Engineering, National United University, Miaoli, Taiwan.
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Coleman H, Saylor Perez J, Schwartz DK, Kaar J, Garcea RL, Randolph TW. Effect of mechanical stresses on viral capsid disruption during droplet formation and drying. Colloids Surf B Biointerfaces 2024; 233:113661. [PMID: 38006709 PMCID: PMC10986848 DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfb.2023.113661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/27/2023]
Abstract
Identification of the mechanisms by which viruses lose activity during droplet formation and drying is of great importance to understanding the spread of infectious diseases by virus-containing respiratory droplets and to developing thermally stable spray dried live or inactivated viral vaccines. In this study, we exposed suspensions of baculovirus, an enveloped virus, to isolated mechanical stresses similar to those experienced during respiratory droplet formation and spray drying: fluid shear forces, osmotic pressure forces, and surface tension forces at interfaces. DNA released from mechanically stressed virions was measured by SYBR Gold staining to quantify viral capsid disruption. Theoretical estimates of the force exerted by fluid shear, osmotic pressures and interfacial tension forces during respiratory droplet formation and spray drying suggest that osmotic and interfacial stresses have greater potential to mechanically destabilize viral capsids than forces associated with shear stresses. Experimental results confirmed that rapid changes in osmotic pressure, such as those associated with drying of virus-containing droplets, caused significant viral capsid disruption, whereas the effect of fluid shear forces was negligible. Surface tension forces were sufficient to provoke DNA release from virions adsorbed at air-water interfaces, but the extent of this disruption was limited by the time required for virions to diffuse to interfaces. These results demonstrate the effect of isolated mechanical stresses on virus particles during droplet formation and drying.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holly Coleman
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, CO 80303, United States
| | - J Saylor Perez
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, CO 80303, United States
| | - Daniel K Schwartz
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, CO 80303, United States
| | - Joel Kaar
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, CO 80303, United States
| | - Robert L Garcea
- Department of Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology, University of Colorado Boulder, CO 80303, United States
| | - Theodore W Randolph
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, CO 80303, United States.
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Tan H, Mong GR, Wong SL, Wong KY, Sheng DDCV, Nyakuma BB, Othman MHD, Kek HY, Razis AFA, Wahab NHA, Wahab RA, Lee KQ, Chiong MC, Lee CH. Airborne microplastic/nanoplastic research: a comprehensive Web of Science (WoS) data-driven bibliometric analysis. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2024; 31:109-126. [PMID: 38040882 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-31228-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
This paper presents the landscape of research on airborne microplastics and nanoplastics (MPs/NPs) according to the bibliometric analysis of 147 documents issued between 2015 and 2021, extracted from the Web of Science database. The publications on airborne MPs/NPs have increased rapidly from 2015 onwards, which is largely due to the existence of funding support. Science of the Total Environment is one of the prominent journals in publishing related papers. China, England, the USA, and European Countries have produced a significant output of airborne MP/NP research works, which is associated with the availability of funding agencies regionally or nationally. The research hotspot on the topic ranges from the transport of airborne MPs/NPs to their deposition in the terrestrial or aquatic environments, along with the contamination of samples by indoor MPs/NPs. Most of the publications are either research or review papers related to MPs/NPs. It is crucial to share the understanding of global plastic pollution and its unfavorable effects on humankind by promoting awareness of the existence and impact of MPs/NPs. Funding agencies are vital in boosting the research development of airborne MPs/NPs. Some countries that are lacking funding support were able to publish research findings related to the field of interest, however, with lesser research output. Without sufficient fundings, some impactful publications may not be able to carry a substantial impact in sharing the findings and discoveries with the mass public.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huiyi Tan
- Faculty of Chemical and Energy Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai, Johor, Malaysia
| | - Guo Ren Mong
- School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Xiamen University Malaysia, Sepang, Xiamen, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Syie Luing Wong
- Dpto. Matemática Aplicada, Ciencia e Ingeniería de Materiales y Tecnología Electrónica, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Móstoles, Madrid, Spain
| | - Keng Yinn Wong
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai, Johor, Malaysia.
| | | | - Bemgba Bevan Nyakuma
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Benue State University, Makurdi, Benue State, Nigeria
- Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Science and Computing, Pen Resource University, P. M. B. 086, Gombe, Gombe State, Nigeria
| | - Mohd Hafiz Dzarfan Othman
- Advanced Membrane Technology Research Centre (AMTEC), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai, Johor, Malaysia
| | - Hong Yee Kek
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai, Johor, Malaysia
| | - Ahmad Faizal Abdull Razis
- Department of Food Science, Faculty of Food Science and Technology, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | | | - Roswanira Abdul Wahab
- Advanced Membrane Technology Research Centre (AMTEC), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai, Johor, Malaysia
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai, Johor, Malaysia
| | - Kee Quen Lee
- Malaysia-Japan International Institute of Technology, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Meng Choung Chiong
- Faculty of Engineering, Technology & Built Environment, UCSI University, Cheras, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Chia Hau Lee
- Faculty of Chemical and Energy Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Skudai, Johor, Malaysia
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Kyriakoudes G, Turner A. Suspended and deposited microplastics in the coastal atmosphere of southwest England. Chemosphere 2023; 343:140258. [PMID: 37751808 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/12/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/28/2023]
Abstract
Atmospheric microplastics (MPs) have been sampled from coastal southwest England during twelve periods over a 42-day timeframe in late autumn. MPs were dominated by fibres, with foams, fragments and pellets also observed. The majority of fibres were identified as the semisynthetic polymer, rayon, while other shapes were dominated by various petroleum-based thermoplastics (including polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl alcohol, polyamide and polyester) and paints. MP concentrations suspended in air ranged from 0.016 to 0.238 items per m3 but displayed no clear dependence on wind speed or direction. Total depositional fluxes ranged from 0.47 to 3.30 m-2 h-1 and showed no clear dependence on wind conditions or electrical conductivity of precipitation (as a measure of maritime influence). However, the concentration of deposited MPs in rainwater was inversely related to rainfall volume, suggesting that incipient precipitation acts to efficiently washout microplastics. A comparison of deposited and suspended MPs by size, shape and polymer type suggests that larger fibres constructed of rayon, polyamide and acrylic are preferentially removed from the atmosphere relative to smaller, non-fibrous MPs and particles constructed of polyester. A quantitative comparison of deposited and suspended MPs provided estimates of location- and environment-specific net settling velocities of between about 7 and 180 m h-1 and corresponding residence times for an air column of 5000 m of between about 30 and 700 h. The findings of the study contribute to an improved understanding of the occurrence, transport and deposition of MPs in the atmosphere more generally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giannis Kyriakoudes
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Plymouth University Plymouth, PL4 8AA, UK
| | - Andrew Turner
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Plymouth University Plymouth, PL4 8AA, UK.
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Abu-Rub LI, Johar ARA, Al Mana H, Abdelrahman HA, Althani AA, Qotba H, Yassine HM, Eltai NO. Bacterial indoor air contaminations in hospitals in MENA region: a systematic review. Int J Environ Health Res 2023; 33:1218-1232. [PMID: 35658652 DOI: 10.1080/09603123.2022.2083087] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Poor indoor air quality in healthcare settings has been tied with the increase in hospital-acquired infections. Thus, this systematic review was conducted to assess the levels and compositions of bacteria in indoor hospital air in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. We examined results provided by different search engines published between 2000 and 2021. Our data showed that most studies were conducted in Iran (80.9%) with a bacterial concentration mean of 172.9 CFU/m3. Comparing sensitive and non-sensitive areas of hospitals, no significant difference was detected in the mean bacterial concentration. The most investigated sensitive hospital areas were operating rooms and intensive care units with mean indoor bacterial concentrations of 180.3 CFU/m3 and 204.6 CFU/m3, respectively. Staphylococcaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, Pseudomonadaceae, and Bacillaceae were commonly identified bacterial families. In conclusion, the mean concentrations of the airborne bacteria were within the acceptable limit compared to WHO standards (300 CFU/m3) for the air in areas occupied by immunosuppressed people.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Al-Reem A Johar
- Research and Development Department, Barzan Holdings, Doha, Qatar
| | - Hassan Al Mana
- Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | | | | | - Hamda Qotba
- Clinical Research Department, Primary Health Care Corporation, Clinical Research Primary Healthcare Center, Doha, Qatar
| | - Hadi M Yassine
- Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Nahla O Eltai
- Biomedical Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar
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Mortazavi H, Sarkhosh M, Najafpoor AA, Azizi S, Tabatabaee SS, Davoudi M, Miri HH, Kamika I. Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in the indoor air and surfaces of subway trains in Mashhad, Iran. Braz J Microbiol 2023; 54:1865-1873. [PMID: 37572180 PMCID: PMC10484835 DOI: 10.1007/s42770-023-01089-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/14/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Millions of passengers around the world are concerned with the possibility of SARS-CoV-2 contamination on public transportation. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the presence of SARS-CoV-2 virus in indoor air and subway surfaces in Mashhad. METHODS In this study, air and surface sampling were done at two times in the morning (7-8:30 a.m.) and evening (3:30-5 p.m.), simultaneously in two wagons for men and women in line 1 of Mashhad Metro in March 2021 to detect the virus and measure the concentration of particulate matter. Totally, 30 air and 30 metro samples were collected and examined by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS The results showed that three and two cases in the air and surface samples were infected with the SARS-CoV-2 virus, respectively. There was a significant relationship between the mean concentration of suspended particles PM1 (particulate matter smaller than 1 μm) with PM2.5 (particulate matter smaller than 2.5 μm) and PM10 (particulate matter smaller than 10 μm) (p < 0. 05). There was also a significant relationship between the mean concentration of suspended particles PM2.5 and PM10. The results showed that the mean PM2.5 measured in the indoor air of the Mashhad metro wagon had a significant relationship with WHO and US EPA and national standards, and its value was higher than the standards (p < 0.05). The average particle concentrations of PM1, PM2.5, and PM10 were equal to 40.46, 42.61, and 48.31 μg/m3. CONCLUSION According to the results of the pollution detected in this study, COVID-19 may be transmitted by air and environmental surfaces. Our study emphasizes the need for continuous assessment of the presence of the virus in public transportation. Detection of viral RNA in subways indicates the necessity of adequate disinfection in public settings, strictness in disinfection methods, strengthening of educational activities for sanitary measures, physical spacing plan, and increasing ventilation of wagons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanieh Mortazavi
- Student Research Committee, Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Maryam Sarkhosh
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Ali Asghar Najafpoor
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Shohreh Azizi
- UNESCO-UNISA Africa Chair in Nanosciences and Nanotechnology, College of Graduate Studies, University of South Africa, Muckleneuk Ridge, PO Box 392, Pretoria, 0002 South Africa
- Nanosciences African Network (NANOAFNET), iThemba LABS-National Research Foundation, 1 Old Faure Road, Somerset West 7129, PO Box 722, Somerset West, Western Cape 7131 South Africa
| | - Seyed Saeed Tabatabaee
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Mojtaba Davoudi
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Hamid Heidarian Miri
- Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
- Infant Research Centre, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Ilunga Kamika
- Institute for Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability (iNanoWS), School of Science, College of Science, Engineering and Technology (CSET), University of South Africa, Florida Campus, Johannesburg, 1709 South Africa
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Otter JA, Clark L, Taylor G, Hussein A, Gargee L, Goldenberg SD. Comparative evaluation of stand-alone HEPA-based air decontamination systems. Infect Dis Health 2023; 28:246-248. [PMID: 37263813 PMCID: PMC10229387 DOI: 10.1016/j.idh.2023.05.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan A Otter
- Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, Westminster Bridge Road, London, SE1 7EH, UK; National Institute for Healthcare Research Health Protection Research Unit (NIHR HPRU) in HCAI and AMR, Imperial College London & Public Health England, Hammersmith Hospital, Du Cane Road, W12 0HS, UK.
| | - Louise Clark
- Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, Westminster Bridge Road, London, SE1 7EH, UK
| | | | - Amal Hussein
- Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, Westminster Bridge Road, London, SE1 7EH, UK
| | - Latchmin Gargee
- Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, Westminster Bridge Road, London, SE1 7EH, UK
| | - Simon D Goldenberg
- Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, Westminster Bridge Road, London, SE1 7EH, UK
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Nadzirah S, Mohamad Zin N, Khalid A, Abu Bakar NF, Kamarudin SS, Zulfakar SS, Kon KW, Muhammad Azami NA, Low TY, Roslan R, M Nassir MNH, Alim AA, Menon PS, Soin N, Gopinath SCB, Abdullah H, Sampe J, Zainal Abidin HE, Mohd Noor SN, Ismail AG, Dee CF, Hamzah AA. Detection of SARS-CoV-2 in Environment: Current Surveillance and Effective Data Management of COVID-19. Crit Rev Anal Chem 2023:1-12. [PMID: 37358486 DOI: 10.1080/10408347.2023.2224433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/27/2023]
Abstract
Since diagnostic laboratories handle large COVID-19 samples, researchers have established laboratory-based assays and developed biosensor prototypes. Both share the same purpose; to ascertain the occurrence of air and surface contaminations by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. However, the biosensors further utilize internet-of-things (IoT) technology to monitor COVID-19 virus contamination, specifically in the diagnostic laboratory setting. The IoT-capable biosensors have great potential to monitor for possible virus contamination. Numerous studies have been done on COVID-19 virus air and surface contamination in the hospital setting. Through reviews, there are abundant reports on the viral transmission of SARS-CoV-2 through droplet infections, person-to-person close contact and fecal-oral transmission. However, studies on environmental conditions need to be better reported. Therefore, this review covers the detection of SARS-CoV-2 in airborne and wastewater samples using biosensors with comprehensive studies in methods and techniques of sampling and sensing (2020 until 2023). Furthermore, the review exposes sensing cases in public health settings. Then, the integration of data management together with biosensors is well explained. Last, the review ended with challenges to having a practical COVID-19 biosensor applied for environmental surveillance samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sh Nadzirah
- Institute of Microengineering and Nanoelectronics (IMEN), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Bangi, Malaysia
- Institute of Nano Electronic Engineering (INEE), Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP), Kangar, Malaysia
| | - Noraziah Mohamad Zin
- Center for Diagnostic, Therapeutic and Investigative Studies, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Arif Khalid
- Center for Diagnostic, Therapeutic and Investigative Studies, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Nur Faizah Abu Bakar
- Center for Diagnostic, Therapeutic and Investigative Studies, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Siti Syafiqah Kamarudin
- Center for Diagnostic, Therapeutic and Investigative Studies, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Siti Shahara Zulfakar
- Center for Toxicology and Health Risk Studies, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Ken Wong Kon
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Nor Azila Muhammad Azami
- Medical Molecular Biology Institute (UMBI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Teck Yew Low
- Medical Molecular Biology Institute (UMBI), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Roharsyafinaz Roslan
- Institute of Microengineering and Nanoelectronics (IMEN), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Bangi, Malaysia
| | - M Nizar Hadi M Nassir
- Institute of Microengineering and Nanoelectronics (IMEN), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Bangi, Malaysia
| | - Anis Amirah Alim
- Institute of Microengineering and Nanoelectronics (IMEN), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Bangi, Malaysia
| | - P Susthitha Menon
- Institute of Microengineering and Nanoelectronics (IMEN), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Bangi, Malaysia
| | - Norhayati Soin
- Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Subash C B Gopinath
- Institute of Nano Electronic Engineering (INEE), Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP), Kangar, Malaysia
- School of Bioprocess Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP), Kangar, Malaysia
| | - Huda Abdullah
- Department of Electrical, Electronic & Systems Engineering, Faculty of Engineering & Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Bangi, Malaysia
| | - Jahariah Sampe
- Institute of Microengineering and Nanoelectronics (IMEN), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Bangi, Malaysia
| | | | - Siti Nurfadhlina Mohd Noor
- Institute of Microengineering and Nanoelectronics (IMEN), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Bangi, Malaysia
| | - Ahmad Ghadafi Ismail
- Institute of Microengineering and Nanoelectronics (IMEN), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Bangi, Malaysia
| | - Chang Fu Dee
- Institute of Microengineering and Nanoelectronics (IMEN), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Bangi, Malaysia
| | - Azrul Azlan Hamzah
- Institute of Microengineering and Nanoelectronics (IMEN), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM), Bangi, Malaysia
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Catarino AI, León MC, Li Y, Lambert S, Vercauteren M, Asselman J, Janssen CR, Everaert G, De Rijcke M. Micro- and nanoplastics transfer from seawater to the atmosphere through aerosolization under controlled laboratory conditions. Mar Pollut Bull 2023; 192:115015. [PMID: 37172341 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Sea spray has been suggested to enable the transfer of micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) from the ocean to the atmosphere, but only a few studies support the role of sea spray aerosols (SSAs) as a source of airborne particles. We demonstrated that MNPs are aerosolized during wave action, via SSAs, under controlled laboratory conditions. We used a mini-Marine-Aerosol-Reference-Tank (miniMART), a device that mimics naturally occurring physical mechanisms producing SSAs, and assessed the aerosolization of fluorescent polystyrene beads (0.5-10 μm), in artificial seawater. The SSAs contained up to 18,809 particles/mL of aerosols for 0.5 μm beads, with an enrichment factor of 19-fold, and 1977 particles/mL of aerosols for 10 μm beads with a 2-fold enrichment factor. Our study demonstrates that the use of the miniMART is essential to assess MNPs aerosolization in a standardized way, supporting the hypothesis which states that MNPs in the surface of the ocean may be transferred to the atmosphere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Isabel Catarino
- Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ), Research Division, Ocean and Human Health, InnovOcean Campus, Jacobsenstraat 1, 8400 Oostende, Belgium.
| | - Maria Camila León
- Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ), Research Division, Ocean and Human Health, InnovOcean Campus, Jacobsenstraat 1, 8400 Oostende, Belgium; Free University of Brussels (VUB), Faculty of Sciences and Bioengineering Sciences, Pleinlaan 2 - room F806, 1050 Brussels, Belgium; Ghent University, Faculty of Sciences, Krijgslaan 281,9000 Gent, Belgium; Antwerp University, Faculty of Sciences, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerpen, Belgium
| | - Yunmeng Li
- Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ), Research Division, Ocean and Human Health, InnovOcean Campus, Jacobsenstraat 1, 8400 Oostende, Belgium; Blue Growth Research Lab, Ghent University, Wetenschapspark 1, Bluebridge, 8400 Oostende, Belgium
| | - Silke Lambert
- Blue Growth Research Lab, Ghent University, Wetenschapspark 1, Bluebridge, 8400 Oostende, Belgium
| | - Maaike Vercauteren
- Blue Growth Research Lab, Ghent University, Wetenschapspark 1, Bluebridge, 8400 Oostende, Belgium
| | - Jana Asselman
- Blue Growth Research Lab, Ghent University, Wetenschapspark 1, Bluebridge, 8400 Oostende, Belgium
| | - Colin R Janssen
- Blue Growth Research Lab, Ghent University, Wetenschapspark 1, Bluebridge, 8400 Oostende, Belgium
| | - Gert Everaert
- Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ), Research Division, Ocean and Human Health, InnovOcean Campus, Jacobsenstraat 1, 8400 Oostende, Belgium
| | - Maarten De Rijcke
- Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ), Research Division, Ocean and Human Health, InnovOcean Campus, Jacobsenstraat 1, 8400 Oostende, Belgium
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13
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Butler MJ, Sloof D, Peters C, Conway Morris A, Gouliouris T, Thaxter R, Keevil VL, Beggs CB. Impact of supplementary air filtration on aerosols and particulate matter in a UK hospital ward: a case study. J Hosp Infect 2023; 135:81-89. [PMID: 36842537 PMCID: PMC9957342 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2023.02.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 02/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Aerosol spread of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is a major problem in hospitals, leading to an increase in supplementary high-efficiency particulate air filtration aimed at reducing nosocomial transmission. This article reports a natural experiment that occurred when an air cleaning unit (ACU) on a medicine for older people ward was switched off accidentally while being commissioned. AIM To assess aerosol transport within the ward and determine whether the ACU reduced airborne particulate matter (PM) levels. METHODS An ACU was placed in a ward comprising two six-bedded bays plus three single-bed isolation rooms which had previously experienced several outbreaks of coronavirus disease 2019. During commissioning, real-time measurements of key indoor air quality parameters (PM1-10, CO2, temperature and humidity) were collected from multiple sensors over 2 days. During this period, the ACU was switched off accidentally for approximately 7 h, allowing the impact of the intervention on PM to be assessed. FINDINGS The ACU reduced the PM counts considerably (e.g. PM1 65.5-78.2%) throughout the ward (P<0.001 all sizes), with positive correlation found for all PM fractions and CO2 (r=0.343-0.817; all P<0.001). PM counts rose/fell simultaneously when the ACU was off, with correlation of PM signals from multiple locations (e.g. r=0.343-0.868; all P<0.001) for particulates <1 μm). CONCLUSION Aerosols migrated rapidly between the various ward subcompartments, suggesting that social distancing alone cannot prevent nosocomial transmission of SARS-CoV-2 as this fails to mitigate longer-range (>2 m) transmission. The ACU reduced PM levels considerably throughout the ward space, indicating its potential as an effective intervention to reduce the risk posed by infectious airborne particles.
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Affiliation(s)
- M J Butler
- Department of Medicine for the Elderly, Cambridge University Hospitals, Cambridge, UK
| | - D Sloof
- AirPurity UK, Ltd, Cambridge, UK
| | - C Peters
- Department of Microbiology, NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, Glasgow, UK
| | - A Conway Morris
- John V Farman Intensive Care Unit, Cambridge University Hospitals, Cambridge, UK; Division of Immunology, Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - T Gouliouris
- Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - R Thaxter
- Infection Prevention and Control, Cambridge University Hospitals, Cambridge, UK
| | - V L Keevil
- Department of Medicine for the Elderly, Cambridge University Hospitals, Cambridge, UK; Department of Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - C B Beggs
- Department of Medicine for the Elderly, Cambridge University Hospitals, Cambridge, UK; Carnegie School of Sport, Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, UK.
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14
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Pan D, Williams CM, Decker J, Fletcher E, Sze S, Assadi S, Haigh R, Saleem B, Nazareth J, Garton NJ, Pareek M, Barer MR. Exhaled SARS-CoV-2 RNA viral load kinetics measured by facemask sampling associates with household transmission. Clin Microbiol Infect 2023; 29:254.e1-254.e6. [PMID: 35843566 PMCID: PMC9281452 DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2022.07.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/30/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES No studies have examined longitudinal patterns of naturally exhaled SARS-CoV-2 RNA viral load (VL) during acute infection. We report this using facemask sampling (FMS) and assessed the relationship between emitted RNA VL and household transmission. METHODS Between December 2020 and February 2021, we recruited participants within 24 hours of a positive RT-qPCR on upper respiratory tract sampling (URTS) (day 0). Participants gave FMS (for 1 hour) and URTS (self-taken) on seven occasions up to day 21. Samples were analysed by RT-qPCR (from sampling matrix strips within the mask) and symptom diaries were recorded. Household transmission was assessed through reporting of positive URTS RT-qPCR in household contacts. RESULTS Analysis of 203 FMS and 190 URTS from 34 participants showed that RNA VL peaked within the first 5 days following sampling. Concomitant URTS, FMS RNA VL, and symptom scores, however, were poorly correlated, but a higher severity of reported symptoms was associated with FMS positivity up to day 5. Of 28 participants who had household contacts, 12 (43%) reported transmission. Frequency of household transmission was associated with the highest (peak) FMS RNA VL obtained (negative genome copies/strip: 0% household transmission; 1 to 1000 copies/strip: 20%; 1001 to 10 000 copies/strip: 57%; >10 000 copies/strip: 75%; p = 0.048; age adjusted OR of household transmission per log increase in copies/strip: 4.97; 95% CI, 1.20-20.55; p = 0.02) but not observed with peak URTS RNA VL. DISCUSSION Exhaled RNA VL measured by FMS is highest in early infection, can be positive in symptomatic patients with concomitantly negative URTS, and is strongly associated with household transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Pan
- Department of Respiratory Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK; Department of Infectious Diseases and HIV Medicine, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, UK; Li Ka Shing Center for Health Information and Discovery, Oxford Big Data Institute, University of Oxford, UK.
| | - Caroline M Williams
- Department of Respiratory Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK; Department of Clinical Microbiology, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, UK
| | - Jonathan Decker
- Department of Respiratory Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Eve Fletcher
- Department of Respiratory Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Shirley Sze
- Department of Cardiovascular Sciences, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, UK
| | - Sara Assadi
- Department of Infectious Diseases and HIV Medicine, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, UK
| | - Richard Haigh
- Department of Respiratory Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Baber Saleem
- Department of Engineering, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Joshua Nazareth
- Department of Respiratory Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK; Department of Infectious Diseases and HIV Medicine, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, UK
| | - Natalie J Garton
- Department of Respiratory Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
| | - Manish Pareek
- Department of Respiratory Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK; Department of Infectious Diseases and HIV Medicine, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, UK
| | - Michael R Barer
- Department of Respiratory Sciences, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK; Department of Clinical Microbiology, University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, Leicester, UK
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15
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Chillón SA, Fernandez-Gamiz U, Zulueta E, Ugarte-Anero A, Urbina-Garcia O. Numerical modeling of a sneeze, a cough and a continuum speech inside a hospital lift. Heliyon 2023; 9:e13370. [PMID: 36744064 PMCID: PMC9889118 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e13370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/28/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The global COVID-19 and its variants put us on notice of the importance of studying the spread of respiratory diseases. The most common means of propagation was the emission of droplets due to different respiration activities. This study modeled by computational fluid dynamics (CFD) techniques a high risk scenario like a hospital elevator. The cabin was provided with an extraction fan and a rack for air renewal. Inside, a sneeze, a cough and a continuum speech were simulated. Inside the lift, two occupants were introduced to observe the risk of propagation of emitted droplets and the impact in diseases spreading risk. The fan effectivity over the droplets ejection was analyzed, as well as environmental condition of a clinical setting. For this purpose the amount of droplets inside were counted during whole time of simulations. The effect of the fan was concluded as able to eject the 60% of small droplets, but also a high performance in spreading particles inside. Among the three cases, the riskiest scenario was the continuum speech due to the saturation of droplets in airborne.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio A. Chillón
- Nuclear Engineering and Fluid Mechanics Department, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, Nieves Cano 12, Vitoria-Gasteiz, 01006, Araba, Spain
| | - Unai Fernandez-Gamiz
- Nuclear Engineering and Fluid Mechanics Department, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, Nieves Cano 12, Vitoria-Gasteiz, 01006, Araba, Spain,Corresponding author
| | - Ekaitz Zulueta
- Automatic and Simulation Department, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, Nieves Cano 12, Vitoria-Gasteiz, 01006, Araba, Spain
| | - Ainara Ugarte-Anero
- Nuclear Engineering and Fluid Mechanics Department, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, Nieves Cano 12, Vitoria-Gasteiz, 01006, Araba, Spain
| | - Oskar Urbina-Garcia
- Nuclear Engineering and Fluid Mechanics Department, University of the Basque Country, UPV/EHU, Nieves Cano 12, Vitoria-Gasteiz, 01006, Araba, Spain
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16
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Fennelly M, Hellebust S, Wenger J, O'Connor D, Griffith GW, Plant BJ, Prentice MB. Portable HEPA filtration successfully augments natural-ventilation-mediated airborne particle clearance in a legacy design hospital ward. J Hosp Infect 2023; 131:54-57. [PMID: 36198345 PMCID: PMC9526867 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2022.09.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/26/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
As the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 pandemic has proceeded, ventilation has been recognized increasingly as an important tool in infection control. Many hospitals in Ireland and the UK do not have mechanical ventilation and depend on natural ventilation. The effectiveness of natural ventilation varies with atmospheric conditions and building design. In a challenge test of a legacy design ward, this study showed that portable air filtration significantly increased the clearance of pollutant aerosols of respirable size compared with natural ventilation, and reduced spatial variation in particle persistence. A combination of natural ventilation and portable air filtration is significantly more effective for particle clearance than either intervention alone.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Fennelly
- School of Chemistry and Environmental Research Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; Department of Pathology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; School of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Technological University Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
| | - S Hellebust
- School of Chemistry and Environmental Research Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - J Wenger
- School of Chemistry and Environmental Research Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - D O'Connor
- School of Chemical Sciences, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland
| | - G W Griffith
- Department of Life Sciences, Aberystwyth University, Aberystwyth, UK
| | - B J Plant
- Adult Cystic Fibrosis Centre, Cork University Hospital, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - M B Prentice
- Department of Pathology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; APC Microbiome Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
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17
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Zhou Z, Shuai X, Lin Z, Meng L, Ba X, Holmes MA, Chen H. Short-term inhalation exposure evaluations of airborne antibiotic resistance genes in environments. J Environ Sci (China) 2022; 122:62-71. [PMID: 35717091 DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2021.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Antibiotic resistance is a sword of Damocles that hangs over humans. In regards to airborne antibiotic resistance genes (AARGs), critical knowledge gaps still exist in the identification of hotspots and quantification of exposure levels in different environments. Here, we have studied the profiles of AARGs, mobile genetic elements (MGEs) and bacterial communities in various atmospheric environments by high throughput qPCR and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. We propose a new AARGs exposure dose calculation that uses short-term inhalation (STI). Swine farms and hospitals were high-risk areas where AARGs standardised abundance was more abundant than suburbs and urban areas. Additionally, resistance gene abundance in swine farm worker sputum was higher than that in healthy individuals in other environments. The correlation between AARGs with MGEs and bacteria was strong in suburbs but weak in livestock farms and hospitals. STI exposure analysis revealed that occupational intake of AARGs (via PM10) in swine farms and hospitals were 110 and 29 times higher than in suburbs, were 1.5 × 104, 5.6 × 104 and 5.1 × 102 copies, i.e., 61.9%, 75.1% and 10.7% of the overall daily inhalation intake, respectively. Our study comprehensively compares environmental differences in AARGs to identify high-risk areas, and forwardly proposes the STI exposure dose of AARGs to guide risk assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenchao Zhou
- Institute of Environmental Technology, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China; Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 9DA , UK
| | - Xinyi Shuai
- Institute of Environmental Technology, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Zejun Lin
- Institute of Environmental Technology, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Lingxuan Meng
- Institute of Environmental Technology, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Xiaoliang Ba
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 9DA , UK
| | - Mark A Holmes
- Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge CB3 9DA , UK
| | - Hong Chen
- Institute of Environmental Technology, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China.
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18
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Weitekamp CA, Shaffer RM, Chiang C, Lehmann GM, Christensen K. An evidence map of polychlorinated biphenyl exposure and health outcome studies among residents of the Akwesasne Mohawk Nation. Chemosphere 2022; 306:135454. [PMID: 35764106 PMCID: PMC9444975 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.135454] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2022] [Revised: 06/17/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2022] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
From the 1950s to the 1970s, three Superfund sites discharged polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)-contaminated waste upstream of the Mohawk Nation at Akwesasne, resulting in PCB contamination of groundwater, soil, and sediment in the surrounding area. Given the persistence of PCBs in the environment and in human tissues, there are continued concerns regarding PCB exposures and the potential for adverse health effects in the community. We developed an evidence map of PCB research at Akwesasne in order to characterize the available data and to highlight potential research needs. Human health and exposure biomarker studies were identified from a literature search based on population, exposure, comparator, and outcome (PECO) criteria. Data extracted from references that met the inclusion criteria after full-text review included study characteristics (e.g., sample size, study design, sampling years), details on PCB measurements (e.g., analytical method, number of congeners analyzed, method detection limits), and results (e.g., PCB levels and summary of study conclusions). We identified 33 studies, conducted between 1986 and 2013, that examined PCB exposure characteristics and health effects in residents of the Akwesasne Mohawk Nation. Organizing this literature into an evidence map including information on study cohort, congener groupings, exposure biomarker characteristics, and health effects allowed us to identify research gaps and to suggest future research priorities for the community. We identified current PCB exposure levels and PCB source characterization as major uncertainties, both of which could be addressed by new studies of PCB concentrations in environmental media.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chelsea A Weitekamp
- Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Office of Research and Development, U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Rachel M Shaffer
- Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Office of Research and Development, U.S. EPA, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Catheryne Chiang
- Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Office of Research and Development, U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA
| | - Geniece M Lehmann
- Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Office of Research and Development, U.S. EPA, Research Triangle Park, NC, USA.
| | - Krista Christensen
- Center for Public Health and Environmental Assessment, Office of Research and Development, U.S. EPA, Washington, DC, USA
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19
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Alebiosu OS, Adekanmbi OH. Aerofloral studies and allergenicity of dominant pollen types in Taraba and Bauchi States of Northeastern Nigeria. Sci Total Environ 2022; 845:157076. [PMID: 35780899 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2022] [Revised: 06/26/2022] [Accepted: 06/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Pollen and spores have been identified as major airborne bio-particles inducing respiratory disorders including allergic rhinitis and atopic dermatitis among hypersensitive individuals. The present study was conducted with a view to investigating monthly depositional rate of atmospheric palynomorphs to determine the influence of the immediate vegetation on airborne pollen distribution; allergenic activities of dominant atmospheric pollen types at selected study locations in Taraba and Bauchi States, Northeastern Nigeria. Bioaerosols were collected using Tauber-like pollen traps and subjected to standard palynological treatment procedures, microscopy and photomicrography. Plant enumeration within the surrounding vegetation revealed that some airborne pollen types were produced by local plants at the study locations. Spores of Nephrolepis sp., Pteris sp. and a trilete fern, as well as diatoms were also recovered. Crude protein contents of some dominant pollen types; Borreria verticillata (L.) G.F.W. Meyer and Panicum maximum Jacq. for Taraba State; Leucaena leucocephala (Lam.) de Wit. and Terminalia catappa L. for Bauchi State, were quantified and extracted to sensitize Mus musculus mice for serology (ELISA) and haematology (differential and total white blood cell counts). Statistical significance was tested and recorded in the correlation between levels of serological and haematological parameters elicited by each test group; differences between levels of these parameters elicited by each test group and those of the control, as well as at varying sensitization periods. In the Leucaena leucocephala test group, swollen body and histopathological morbid features showing more extensive areas of inflammatory cells and alveoli filled with fluid in the lungs, were recorded in two dead M. musculus, respectively. The study revealed that all the tested pollen types are possible allergens at the study locations, establishing a complexity of interaction among allergy mediators at varied periods of mice sensitization and forming a paradigm of human immune response to the different pollen allergens.
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20
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Yarahmadi R, Soleimani-Alyar S, Darvishi MM. Inactivation of airborne SARS-Co-V2 using NTP-UVGI hybrid process. Int J Environ Sci Technol (Tehran) 2022; 20:209-218. [PMID: 36313941 PMCID: PMC9593994 DOI: 10.1007/s13762-022-04399-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2022] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Indoor environments such as healthcare centers are known as one of the key centers in the outbreak of viral infectious diseases. In the present study, the pathogenic agents' treatment system (PATS) was designed by the combination of non-thermal plasma (NTP) with the ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) processes. Then, the treatment efficiency of PATS was measured for the "SARS-Co-V2." The exhaled air of the confirmed case of "COVID-19" was considered as the viral source of "SARS-Co-V2" and directed to the upstream of PATS. The treatment process was done by passing directed air through two steps of treatment (NTP and UVGI). The treatment efficiency of PATS was measured by sampling at the sampling points (before and after the treatment process). According to the energy emission pattern (corona discharge, UV rays) in the designed system, during two steps, the high efficiency of treatment for the collected pathogens was achieved. Based on the real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) results, the CT value was lower than 29 (CTs < 29), and after the treatment using PATS was upper than 40 (CTs > 40) confirming the highest removal efficiency of "SARS-Co-V2." Also, the treatment efficiency of each reactor in individual operation was at the optimum level. The findings suggested, the present PATS may eliminate the viral pathogens with hospital sources and also, be applicable in the other intensive care unit (ICU) wards with the same risk thus, significantly reducing the possible exposure risk of healthcare and sick companions, and preventing the outbreak of infectious diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- R. Yarahmadi
- Air Pollution Research Center, Department of Occupational Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - S. Soleimani-Alyar
- Air Pollution Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - M.-M. Darvishi
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran
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21
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Dimashkieh MR, Nassani MZ, Talic YF, Alqerban A, Demachkia AM. Mouth shield to minimize airborne transmission risk of COVID-19 and other infectious diseases in the dental office. World J Methodol 2022; 12:461-464. [PMID: 36186742 PMCID: PMC9516543 DOI: 10.5662/wjm.v12.i5.461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 07/04/2022] [Accepted: 08/07/2022] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Transmission of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and other infectious diseases is a significant risk during dental procedures because most dental interventions involve aerosols or droplets that could contaminate the surrounding environment. Current protection guidelines to address the high risk of droplets, aerosols, and airborne particle transmission of COVID-19 in the dental office recommend minimizing aerosol-generating procedures. In this paper, an innovative mouth shield is presented that should minimize water backsplash from the air-water syringe during dental treatment. The mouth shield can be added to the personal protective equipment to provide the dental team with extra protection. It can be made of different materials, is straightforward, inexpensive, and safe to fabricate, and is easy to use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohiddin R Dimashkieh
- Department of Restorative and Prosthetic Dental Sciences, College of Dentistry, Dar Al Uloom University, Riyadh 13314, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammad Zakaria Nassani
- Department of Restorative and Prosthetic Dental Sciences, College of Dentistry, Dar Al Uloom University, Riyadh 13314, Saudi Arabia
| | - Yousef Fouad Talic
- Department of Restorative and Prosthetic Dental Sciences, College of Dentistry, Dar Al Uloom University, Riyadh 13314, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ali Alqerban
- Department of Preventive Dental Sciences, College of Dentistry, Dar Al Uloom University, Riyadh 13314, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Preventive Dental Sciences, College of Dentistry, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj 11942, Saudi Arabia
| | - Amir M Demachkia
- Department of Dental Materials and Prosthodontics, São Paulo State University - Institute of Science and Technology, São José dos Campos, São Paulo 12224-300, Brazil
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22
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Reinders LMH, Noelle D, Klassen MD, Jaeger M, Schmidt TC, Tuerk J, Teutenberg T. Development and validation of a method for airborne monoclonal antibodies to quantify workplace exposure. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2022; 221:115046. [PMID: 36152489 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpba.2022.115046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 09/06/2022] [Accepted: 09/11/2022] [Indexed: 10/31/2022]
Abstract
Modern therapy strategies are based on patient-specific treatment where the drug and dose are optimally adapted to the patient's needs. In recent drugs, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are increasingly used as active ingredients. Their patient-specific formulations are not part of the pharmaceutical industry's manufacturing process but are prepared from concentrates by pharmaceutical personnel. During the manufacturing process, however, active pharmaceutical ingredients are released in trace amounts or, in the case of accidents and spills, also in high concentrations. Regardless of the source of entry, mAbs can become airborne, be inhaled, and cause undesirable side-effects such as sensitization. To assess the risk for pharmaceutical personnel, a personal air sampling method was developed and validated for bevacizumab, cetuximab, daratumumab, omalizumab, rituximab and trastuzumab. The method is based on the combination of high-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS). The analytical method achieves a limit of detection of 0.30-8.8 ng mL-1, recoveries of 83-96 % (intra-day assay) and 75-89 % (inter-day assay), with no detectable carry-over. A polycarbonate filter proved suitable for sampling airborne monoclonal antibodies, as it achieved 80-104 % recovery across all mAbs. It also showed concentration-independent desorption efficiency. The sampling duration can be up to 480 min without negatively affecting the recovery. MAbs are stable on the polycarbonate filter at 5 °C for 3 days (recovery: 94 % ± 5 %) and at - 20 °C for 14 days (recovery: 97 % ± 4 %). Our method demonstrated that there is a potential for release when handling monoclonal antibodies. However, this can be reduced below the limit of detection by using pressure equalization systems (spikes).
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Affiliation(s)
- Lars M H Reinders
- Institut für Energie und Umwelttechnik e. V. (IUTA, Institute of Energy and Environmental Technology), Bliersheimer Str. 58-60, 47229 Duisburg, Germany; Hochschule Niederrhein (University of Applied Science), Reinarzstr. 49, 47805 Krefeld, Germany; University Duisburg-Essen, Faculty of Chemistry, Instrumental Analytical Chemistry, Universitätsstr. 5, 45141 Essen, Germany
| | - Dennis Noelle
- Institut für Energie und Umwelttechnik e. V. (IUTA, Institute of Energy and Environmental Technology), Bliersheimer Str. 58-60, 47229 Duisburg, Germany; Hochschule Niederrhein (University of Applied Science), Reinarzstr. 49, 47805 Krefeld, Germany
| | - Martin D Klassen
- Institut für Energie und Umwelttechnik e. V. (IUTA, Institute of Energy and Environmental Technology), Bliersheimer Str. 58-60, 47229 Duisburg, Germany
| | - Martin Jaeger
- Hochschule Niederrhein (University of Applied Science), Reinarzstr. 49, 47805 Krefeld, Germany
| | - Torsten C Schmidt
- University Duisburg-Essen, Faculty of Chemistry, Instrumental Analytical Chemistry, Universitätsstr. 5, 45141 Essen, Germany
| | - Jochen Tuerk
- Institut für Energie und Umwelttechnik e. V. (IUTA, Institute of Energy and Environmental Technology), Bliersheimer Str. 58-60, 47229 Duisburg, Germany
| | - Thorsten Teutenberg
- Institut für Energie und Umwelttechnik e. V. (IUTA, Institute of Energy and Environmental Technology), Bliersheimer Str. 58-60, 47229 Duisburg, Germany.
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Salama KF, Alnimr A, Alamri A, Radi M, Alshehri B, Rabaan AA, Alshahrani M. Nano-treatment of HEPA filters in COVID-19 isolation rooms in an academic medical center in Saudi Arabia. J Infect Public Health 2022; 15:937-941. [PMID: 35914357 PMCID: PMC9295319 DOI: 10.1016/j.jiph.2022.07.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2022] [Revised: 07/02/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), has spread globally. The major reservoir for SARS-CoV-2 transmission remains controversial, with the airborne route remaining a possible transmission vehicle for carrying the virus within indoor environments. This study aimed to detect contamination of SARS-CoV-2 in high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters within hospital isolation rooms of confirmed COVID-19 patients, exploring the role of nano-treatment of these filters with silver and titanium dioxide nanoparticles (Ag/TiO2 NPs). MATERIALS AND METHODS We investigated the effectiveness of Ag-NPs/TiO2-treated HEPA filters in the air of rooms occupied by patients with confirmed COVID-19 in a university teaching hospital in the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia during the first wave of the pandemic. Ag/TiO2 NPs were designed and coated on HEPA filters to examine the filtration efficiency and antiviral ability in the presence of aerosolized virus particles. A total of 20 viral swab samples were collected from five patients' rooms before and after treatment with nanoparticle-prepared solutions into the sterile virus-transporting media. Samples were evaluated for SARS-CoV-2 with a reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS Two samples taken from the HEPA filter air exhaust outlets prior to nano-treatment tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 RNA in the intensive care unit, which has stringent aerosolization control procedures, suggesting that small virus-laden droplets may be displaced by airflow. All air samples collected from the HEPA filters from the rooms of patients with confirmed COVID-19 following nano-treatment were negative. CONCLUSION We recommend further experimental exploration using a larger number of HEPA filters in areas with aerosol-generating procedures, along with viability studies on the HEPA filters to facilitate decision-making in high-risk facilities regarding the replacement, storage, and disposal of HEPA filters in wards occupied by cases diagnosed with a highly transmissible disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khaled F Salama
- Department of Environmental Health, College of Public Health & King Fahad Hospital of the University, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Amani Alnimr
- Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine & King Fahad Hospital of the University, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, King Faisal Road, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Aisha Alamri
- Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mahmoud Radi
- Department of Infection Control, King Fahad Hospital of the University, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
| | - Bashayer Alshehri
- Microbiology Laboratory, Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ali A Rabaan
- Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, Johns Hopkins Aramco Healthcare, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia; College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; Department of Public Health and Nutrition, The University of Haripur, Haripur, Pakistan.
| | - Mohammed Alshahrani
- Emergency and Critical Care Department, College of Medicine & King Fahad Hospital of the University, Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia
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24
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Ji S, Xiao S, Wang H, Lei H. Increasing contributions of airborne route in SARS-CoV-2 omicron variant transmission compared with the ancestral strain. Build Environ 2022; 221:109328. [PMID: 35784591 PMCID: PMC9233747 DOI: 10.1016/j.buildenv.2022.109328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Omicron variant has become the dominant lineage worldwide. Experimental studies have shown that SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant is more stable on various environmental surfaces than the ancestral strains of SARS-CoV-2. However, the influences on the role of the contact route in SARS-CoV-2 transmission are still unknown. In this study, we built a Markov chain model to simulate the transmission of the Omicron and ancestral strains of SARS-CoV-2 within a household over a 1-day period from multiple pathways; that is, airborne, droplet, and contact routes. We assumed that there were two adults and one child in the household, and that one of the adults was infected with SARS-CoV-2. We assumed two scenarios. (1) Asymptomatic/presymptomatic infection, and (2) symptomatic infection. During asymptomatic/presymptomatic infection, the contact route contributing the most (37%-45%), followed by the airborne (34%-38%) and droplet routes (21%-28%). During symptomatic infection, the droplet route was the dominant pathway (48%-71%), followed by the contact route (25%-42%), with the airborne route playing a negligible role (<10%). Compared to the ancestral strain, although the contribution of the contact route increased in Omicron variant transmission, the increase was slight, from 25%-41% to 30%-45%. With the growing concern about the increase in the proportion of asymptomatic/presymptomatic infection in Omicron strain transmissions, the airborne route, rather than the fomite route, should be of focus. Our findings suggest the importance of ventilation in the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant prevention in building environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuyi Ji
- School of Public Health, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, PR China
| | - Shenglan Xiao
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, PR China
| | - Huaibin Wang
- School of Public Health (Shenzhen), Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen, 518107, PR China
| | - Hao Lei
- School of Public Health, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, PR China
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25
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Hanser O, Melczer M, Martin Remy A, Ndaw S. Occupational exposure to metals among battery recyclers in France: Biomonitoring and external dose measurements. Waste Manag 2022; 150:122-130. [PMID: 35810728 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2022.06.044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2022] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
In battery-recycling facilities, exposure to trace elements may occur through inhalation of contaminated dust or vapor emanating from the treatment processes. Exposure of battery-recycling workers to lead has been quite well covered in the literature. In contrast, we lack data on exposure to other elements contained in batteries. The aim of this study was to characterize the exposure of French battery recyclers to multiple elements using biomonitoring and airborne measurements. Eighty-six workers participated in the study. Inhalable metal concentrations were determined for personal airborne samples, and total exposure was determined from pre-shift and post-shift urine samples collected during the working week. In both types of sample, a total of 33 trace elements were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Results showed battery recyclers to be mostly exposed to Cd, Co, Cr, Li, Mn, Ni, and Pb. Administrative and sorting workers were exposed at lower levels than maintenance, treatment, and dismantling workers. Cd, Co, Li, Mn, and Ni were detected at high levels in air samples, especially near the treatment facilities, with airborne cadmium levels of up to 79.4 µg/m3. Urinary sample analysis indicated exposure to Cd and Co, with levels measured at up to 27.6 and 3.34 µg/g of creatinine, respectively. Concentrations were compared to data reported for e-waste recycling companies. The data presented provide valuable information on exposure to trace elements for workers involved in battery-recycling. They also highlight the need to improve both collective and individual protective measures, which were not sufficient in the participating companies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ogier Hanser
- Toxicology and Biomonitoring Department, INRS-French National Research and Safety Institute for the Prevention of Occupational Accidents and Diseases, 54500 Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France.
| | - Mathieu Melczer
- Toxicology and Biomonitoring Department, INRS-French National Research and Safety Institute for the Prevention of Occupational Accidents and Diseases, 54500 Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France
| | - Aurélie Martin Remy
- Toxicology and Biomonitoring Department, INRS-French National Research and Safety Institute for the Prevention of Occupational Accidents and Diseases, 54500 Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France
| | - Sophie Ndaw
- Toxicology and Biomonitoring Department, INRS-French National Research and Safety Institute for the Prevention of Occupational Accidents and Diseases, 54500 Vandoeuvre-lès-Nancy, France
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26
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Jenner LC, Rotchell JM, Bennett RT, Cowen M, Tentzeris V, Sadofsky LR. Detection of microplastics in human lung tissue using μFTIR spectroscopy. Sci Total Environ 2022; 831:154907. [PMID: 35364151 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.154907] [Citation(s) in RCA: 262] [Impact Index Per Article: 131.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Airborne microplastics (MPs) have been sampled globally, and their concentration is known to increase in areas of high human population and activity, especially indoors. Respiratory symptoms and disease following exposure to occupational levels of MPs within industry settings have also been reported. It remains to be seen whether MPs from the environment can be inhaled, deposited and accumulated within the human lungs. This study analysed digested human lung tissue samples (n = 13) using μFTIR spectroscopy (size limitation of 3 μm) to detect and characterise any MPs present. In total, 39 MPs were identified within 11 of the 13 lung tissue samples with an average of 1.42 ± 1.50 MP/g of tissue (expressed as 0.69 ± 0.84 MP/g after background subtraction adjustments). The MP levels within tissue samples were significantly higher than those identified within combined procedural/laboratory blanks (n = 9 MPs, with a mean ± SD of 0.53 ± 1.07, p = 0.001). Of the MPs detected, 12 polymer types were identified with polypropylene, PP (23%), polyethylene terephthalate, PET (18%) and resin (15%) the most abundant. MPs (unadjusted) were identified within all regions of the lung categorised as upper (0.80 ± 0.96 MP/g), middle/lingular (0.41 ± 0.37 MP/g), and with significantly higher levels detected in the lower (3.12 ± 1.30 MP/g) region compared with the upper (p = 0.026) and mid (p = 0.038) lung regions. After subtracting blanks, these levels became 0.23 ± 0.28, 0.33 ± 0.37 and 1.65 ± 0.88 MP/g respectively. The study demonstrates the highest level of contamination control and reports unadjusted values alongside different contamination adjustment techniques. These results support inhalation as a route of exposure for environmental MPs, and this characterisation of types and levels can now inform realistic conditions for laboratory exposure experiments, with the aim of determining health impacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren C Jenner
- Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Hull HU6 7RX, United Kingdom
| | - Jeanette M Rotchell
- Department of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Hull, Hull HU6 7RX, United Kingdom
| | - Robert T Bennett
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Castle Hill Hospital, Cottingham HU16 5JQ, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Cowen
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Castle Hill Hospital, Cottingham HU16 5JQ, United Kingdom
| | - Vasileios Tentzeris
- Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Castle Hill Hospital, Cottingham HU16 5JQ, United Kingdom
| | - Laura R Sadofsky
- Hull York Medical School, University of Hull, Hull HU6 7RX, United Kingdom.
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Konno K, Koibuchi H, Yamamoto S, Tada Y, Kameda T, Taniguchi N. Assessment of the risk of disease transmission during fine-needle aspiration cytology under ultrasound guidance by visualization of droplet and aerosol formation. J Med Ultrason (2001) 2022; 49:471-80. [PMID: 35665436 DOI: 10.1007/s10396-022-01220-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Fine-needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) under ultrasound guidance is clinically useful, but there is a risk of spreading infection by generating droplets of contaminated fluids during the procedure. Risk assessment to better control infection remains to be established. The aim of this study was to estimate infection risks during FNAC by visualization of droplet production and deposition using a simulation model. METHODS The simulation comprised a puncture needle, a device for holding the needle, and a fluid specimen containing fluorescent particles as a model. Simulating each step of FNAC (removal of the inner and outer cylinder and transferring the specimen onto a glass slide), the generation and deposition of droplets were visualized using a laser. RESULTS After removal of the inner cylinder, an aerosol of droplets in the air surrounding the needle was observed. After removal of the outer cylinder, several large droplets precipitating onto the circumjacent surface were observed. From the beginning of transferring the specimen, a large amount of sizeable droplets first moving away and then precipitating was observed, followed by the production of a cluster of fine droplets drifting and spreading through the air. CONCLUSIONS Here, the generation of droplets at each step of FNAC, precipitation of large droplets onto the circumjacent surface, and drifting and spreading through the air of fine droplets was visualized. These results emphasize the need for precautions to prevent the transmission of infectious agents during FNAC.
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28
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Lin N, Zhong L, Godwin C, Batterman S. Be alert for vapor intrusion of 1,4-dioxane from contaminated groundwater. Sci Total Environ 2022; 825:153713. [PMID: 35149073 PMCID: PMC9845134 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2021] [Revised: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 02/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Vapor intrusion (VI) poses significant environmental problems that can degrade indoor air and pose human health risks. This study focuses on 1,4-dioxane, a widely-used volatile organic compound (VOC) that is found in groundwater, however, this compound has not received much attention in indoor air and measurement methods are not well developed. 1,4-dioxane is sufficiently volatile and highly mobile in groundwater, and thus can present a VI risk. In this study, we develop a sensitive analytical method for quantifying airborne 1,4-dioxane, provide a performance evaluation of the method, and initiate preliminary field measurements above a 1,4-dioxane groundwater plume. The method uses passive sampling, automated thermal desorption, and gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy. Numerous other VOCs can be simultaneously measured. A low detection limit (0.067 μg/m3) is attained, which allows quantification at concentrations below health-based guidelines. The performance evaluation suggests limits to sampling times in high humidity environments and other means to ensure good performance. The scenario analyses demonstrate potential impacts from shallow plumes, especially in flooded basements, and thus monitoring of 1,4-dioxane vapor intrusion in the flood season is an urgent need.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Lin
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200025, PR China.
| | - Lexuan Zhong
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA; Mechanical Engineering, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 1H9, Canada
| | - Christopher Godwin
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
| | - Stuart Batterman
- Department of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA
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29
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Soares MV, Mesadri J, Gonçalves DF, Cordeiro LM, Franzen da Silva A, Obetine Baptista FB, Wagner R, Dalla Corte CL, Soares FAA, Ávila DS. Neurotoxicity induced by toluene: In silico and in vivo evidences of mitochondrial dysfunction and dopaminergic neurodegeneration. Environ Pollut 2022; 298:118856. [PMID: 35033616 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.118856] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 12/21/2021] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Toluene is an air pollutant widely used as an organic solvent in industrial production and emitted by fossil fuel combustion, in addition to being used as a drug of abuse. Its toxic effects in the central nervous system have not been well established, and how and which neurons are affected remains unknown. Hence, this study aimed to fill this gap by investigating three central questions: 1) How does toluene induce neurotoxicity? 2) Which neurons are affected? And 3) What are the long-term effects induced by airborne exposure to toluene? To this end, a Caenorhabditis elegans model was employed, in which worms at the fourth larval stage were exposed to toluene in the air for 24 h in a vapor chamber to simulate four exposure scenarios. After the concentration-response curve analysis, we chose scenarios 3 (E3: 792 ppm) and 4 (E4: 1094 ppm) for the following experiments. The assays were performed 1, 48, or 96 h after removal from the exposure environments, and an irreversible reduction in neuron fluorescence and morphologic alterations were observed in different neurons of exposed worms, particularly in the dopaminergic neurons. Moreover, a significant impairment in a dopaminergic-dependent behavior was also associated with negative effects in healthspan endpoints, and we also noted that mitochondria may be involved in toluene-induced neurotoxicity since lower adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP) levels and mitochondrial viability were observed. In addition, a reduction of electron transport chain activity was evidenced using ex vivo protocols, which were reinforced by in silico and in vitro analysis, demonstrating toluene action in the mitochondrial complexes. Based on these findings model, it is plausible that toluene neurotoxicity can be initiated by complex I inhibition, triggering a mitochondrial dysfunction that may lead to irreversible dopaminergic neuronal death, thus impairing neurobehavioral signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcell Valandro Soares
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas, Bioquímica Toxicológica, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Camobi, 97105-900, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil; Grupo de Pesquisa em Bioquímica e Toxicologia em Caenorhabditis elegans (GBToxCe), Universidade Federal do Pampa - UNIPAMPA, CEP 97500-970, Uruguaiana, RS, Brazil
| | - Juliana Mesadri
- Departamento: Tecnologia e Ciência dos Alimentos, Centro de Ciência Rurais, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciência e Tecnologia dos Alimentos, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Débora Farina Gonçalves
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas, Bioquímica Toxicológica, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Camobi, 97105-900, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Larissa Marafiga Cordeiro
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas, Bioquímica Toxicológica, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Camobi, 97105-900, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Aline Franzen da Silva
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas, Bioquímica Toxicológica, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Camobi, 97105-900, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Fabiane Bicca Obetine Baptista
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas, Bioquímica Toxicológica, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Camobi, 97105-900, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Roger Wagner
- Departamento: Tecnologia e Ciência dos Alimentos, Centro de Ciência Rurais, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciência e Tecnologia dos Alimentos, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Cristiane Lenz Dalla Corte
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas, Bioquímica Toxicológica, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Camobi, 97105-900, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Félix Alexandre Antunes Soares
- Departamento de Bioquímica e Biologia Molecular, Centro de Ciências Naturais e Exatas, Programa de Pós-graduação em Ciências Biológicas, Bioquímica Toxicológica, Universidade Federal de Santa Maria, Camobi, 97105-900, Santa Maria, RS, Brazil
| | - Daiana Silva Ávila
- Grupo de Pesquisa em Bioquímica e Toxicologia em Caenorhabditis elegans (GBToxCe), Universidade Federal do Pampa - UNIPAMPA, CEP 97500-970, Uruguaiana, RS, Brazil.
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Martinez-Boubeta C, Simeonidis K. Airborne magnetic nanoparticles may contribute to COVID-19 outbreak: Relationships in Greece and Iran. Environ Res 2022; 204:112054. [PMID: 34547249 PMCID: PMC8450134 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.112054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Revised: 09/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/09/2021] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
This work attempts to shed light on whether the COVID-19 pandemic rides on airborne pollution. In particular, a two-city study provides evidence that PM2.5 contributes to the timing and severity of the epidemic, without adjustment for confounders. The publicly available data of deaths between March and October 2020, updated it on May 30, 2021, and the average seasonal concentrations of PM2.5 pollution over the previous years in Thessaloniki, the second-largest city of Greece, were investigated. It was found that changes in coronavirus-related deaths follow changes in air pollution and that the correlation between the two data sets is maximized at the lag time of one month. Similar data from Tehran were gathered for comparison. The results of this study underscore that it is possible, if not likely, that pollution nanoparticles are related to COVID-19 fatalities (Granger causality, p < 0.05), contributing to the understanding of the environmental impact on pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Martinez-Boubeta
- Ecoresources P.C, Giannitson-Santaroza Str. 15-17, 54627, Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - K Simeonidis
- Ecoresources P.C, Giannitson-Santaroza Str. 15-17, 54627, Thessaloniki, Greece; Department of Physics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124, Thessaloniki, Greece.
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31
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Andrew A, Zhou J, Gui J, Shi X, Li M, Harrison A, Guetti B, Nathan R, Butt T, Peipert D, Tischbein M, Pioro EP, Stommel E, Bradley W. ALS risk factors: Industrial airborne chemical releases. Environ Pollut 2022; 295:118658. [PMID: 34921938 PMCID: PMC10752435 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.118658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2021] [Revised: 11/21/2021] [Accepted: 12/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Most amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) cases are sporadic (∼90%) and environmental exposures are implicated in their etiology. Large industrial facilities are permitted the airborne release of certain chemicals with hazardous properties and report the amounts to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as part of its Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) monitoring program. The objective of this project was to identify industrial chemicals released into the air that may be associated with ALS etiology. We geospatially estimated residential exposure to contaminants using a de-identified medical claims database, the SYMPHONY Integrated Dataverse®, with ∼26,000 nationally distributed ALS patients, and non-ALS controls matched for age and gender. We mapped TRI data on industrial releases of 523 airborne contaminants to estimate local residential exposure and used a dynamic categorization algorithm to solve the problem of zero-inflation in the dataset. In an independent validation study, we used residential histories to estimate exposure in each year prior to diagnosis. Air releases with positive associations in both the SYMPHONY analysis and the spatio-temporal validation study included styrene (false discovery rate (FDR) 5.4e-5), chromium (FDR 2.4e-4), nickel (FDR 1.6e-3), and dichloromethane (FDR 4.8e-4). Using a large de-identified healthcare claims dataset, we identified geospatial environmental contaminants associated with ALS. The analytic pipeline used may be applied to other diseases and identify novel targets for exposure mitigation. Our results support the future evaluation of these environmental chemicals as potential etiologic contributors to sporadic ALS risk.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jie Zhou
- Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
| | | | - Xun Shi
- Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH, USA
| | | | | | - Bart Guetti
- Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | | | - Tanya Butt
- Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, NH, USA
| | | | | | - Erik P Pioro
- Center for ALS and Related Disorders, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | | | - Walter Bradley
- Department of Neurology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, FL, USA
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32
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Giri S, Sen S, Singh R, Paul P, Sahu R, Nandi G, Dua TK. Current challenges in different approaches to control COVID-19: a comprehensive review. Bull Natl Res Cent 2022; 46:47. [PMID: 35261539 PMCID: PMC8892405 DOI: 10.1186/s42269-022-00730-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/13/2022] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The World Health Organization declared the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) as a global health emergency on January 30, 2020, and as a pandemic disease on March 11, 2020. This review highlights the international situation, risk factors, and related protections to be taken as prerequisite measures and probable treatment options for the COVID-19-infected population in the current scenario. MAIN TEXT The SARS-CoV-2 viruses and their variants caused mild-to-severe respiratory tract infection and used airborne pathways as a way of contagion. Human-to-human transmission led to an exponential growth in the rise in the number of cases making it a real burden to immobilize the rapid spread of the virus while asymptomatic patients created ambiguity for confirmation in the community. It was clear from the case studies of patients that most of them were asymptomatic but still vulnerable to the people around, and hence, in a flash, many countries around the globe went into a complete lockdown, influencing the economy and thrashing industrial outputs. On the other hand, numerous researches were made to counteract the spread through studies in antiviral therapy, immune-based therapy, vaccination development, and natural remedies. CONCLUSION Although exploration for a specific drug required for the COVID-19 treatment is under extensive research worldwide and some of them are in clinical trial now. Virtual drug library screening is one of the current techniques for repurposing accessible compounds. This review could provide beneficial information about the potential current and future treatment strategies to treat the pandemic COVID-19 infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simran Giri
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, University of North Bengal, Raja Rammohunpur, P.O.- NBU, District- Darjeeling, West Bengal 734013 India
| | - Sanjukta Sen
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, University of North Bengal, Raja Rammohunpur, P.O.- NBU, District- Darjeeling, West Bengal 734013 India
| | - Rohan Singh
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, University of North Bengal, Raja Rammohunpur, P.O.- NBU, District- Darjeeling, West Bengal 734013 India
| | - Paramita Paul
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, University of North Bengal, Raja Rammohunpur, P.O.- NBU, District- Darjeeling, West Bengal 734013 India
| | - Ranabir Sahu
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, University of North Bengal, Raja Rammohunpur, P.O.- NBU, District- Darjeeling, West Bengal 734013 India
| | - Gouranga Nandi
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, University of North Bengal, Raja Rammohunpur, P.O.- NBU, District- Darjeeling, West Bengal 734013 India
| | - Tarun Kumar Dua
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, University of North Bengal, Raja Rammohunpur, P.O.- NBU, District- Darjeeling, West Bengal 734013 India
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33
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Quaegebeur N, Saikouk H, Delisle J, Bilodeau M, Grey W, Pelletier B. Airborne ultrasound transmission through circular damages in polymer plates. Ultrasonics 2022; 118:106557. [PMID: 34509048 DOI: 10.1016/j.ultras.2021.106557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Revised: 08/13/2021] [Accepted: 08/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Polymer tanks made of Polypropylene (PP) sub-assemblies are commonly used for their ease of formability, surface and optical quality. The tightness of an assembly is classically assessed by pressurizing the vessel and measuring a pressure drop after a given period. In order to avoid this long and imprecise method, active ultrasound methods can be envisioned, but should be carefully designed in order to derive the proper transducer configurations, frequencies and assess the performances of the method in terms of repeatability and detectability. In this article, a thermoviscous Finite Element Model (FEM) is derived in order to predict the effect of realistic damages on the measured transmitted acoustic field in bonded polymer joints. Three damage scenarios are considered, namely through holes, flat-bottom holes and internal voids that may impair the tightness and durability of a polymer assembly. Numerical results in terms of on-axis sound pressure spectra and directivity diagrams are presented and verified experimentally on a flat panel. These results allow the derivation of design rules for the active inspection of polymer jointed structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicolas Quaegebeur
- GAUS, Dept Génie Mécanique, Université de Sherbrooke, J1K2R1, Sherbrooke (QC), Canada.
| | - Hajar Saikouk
- GAUS, Dept Génie Mécanique, Université de Sherbrooke, J1K2R1, Sherbrooke (QC), Canada
| | - Jonathan Delisle
- GAUS, Dept Génie Mécanique, Université de Sherbrooke, J1K2R1, Sherbrooke (QC), Canada
| | - Maxime Bilodeau
- GAUS, Dept Génie Mécanique, Université de Sherbrooke, J1K2R1, Sherbrooke (QC), Canada
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Saw LH, Leo BF, Nor NSM, Yip CW, Ibrahim N, Hamid HHA, Latif MT, Lin CY, Nadzir MSM. Modeling aerosol transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from human-exhaled particles in a hospital ward. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2021; 28:53478-53492. [PMID: 34036501 PMCID: PMC8148403 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-14519-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has plunged the world into uncharted territory, leaving people feeling helpless in the face of an invisible threat of unknown duration that could adversely impact the national economic growths. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the SARS-CoV-2 spreads primarily through droplets of saliva or discharge from the mouth or nose when an infected person coughs or sneezes. However, the transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 through aerosols remains unclear. In this study, computational fluid dynamic (CFD) is used to complement the investigation of the SARS-CoV-2 transmission through aerosol. The Lagrangian particle tracking method was used to analyze the dispersion of the exhaled particles from a SARS-CoV-2-positive patient under different exhale activities and different flow rates of chilled (cooling) air supply. Air sampling of the SARS-CoV-2 patient ward was conducted for 48-h measurement intervals to collect the indoor air sample for particulate with diameter less than 2.5 μm. Then, the reverse transcription quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was conducted to analyze the collected air sample. The simulation demonstrated that the aerosol transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus in an enclosed room (such as a hospital ward) is highly possible.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lip Huat Saw
- Lee Kong Chian, Faculty of Engineering and Science, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, 43000, Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Bey Fen Leo
- Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | - Norefrina Shafinaz Md Nor
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Chee Wai Yip
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Nazlina Ibrahim
- Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Haris Hafizal Abd Hamid
- Department of Earth Sciences and Environment, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Talib Latif
- Department of Earth Sciences and Environment, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Chin Yik Lin
- Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Shahrul Mohd Nadzir
- Department of Earth Sciences and Environment, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia.
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Kayalar Ö, Arı A, Babuççu G, Konyalılar N, Doğan Ö, Can F, Şahin ÜA, Gaga EO, Levent Kuzu S, Arı PE, Odabaşı M, Taşdemir Y, Sıddık Cindoruk S, Esen F, Sakın E, Çalışkan B, Tecer LH, Fıçıcı M, Altın A, Onat B, Ayvaz C, Uzun B, Saral A, Döğeroğlu T, Malkoç S, Üzmez ÖÖ, Kunt F, Aydın S, Kara M, Yaman B, Doğan G, Olgun B, Dokumacı EN, Güllü G, Uzunpınar ES, Bayram H. Existence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA on ambient particulate matter samples: A nationwide study in Turkey. Sci Total Environ 2021; 789:147976. [PMID: 34058581 PMCID: PMC8144095 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2021] [Revised: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 05/19/2021] [Indexed: 05/04/2023]
Abstract
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus and has been affecting the world since the end of 2019. The disease led to significant mortality and morbidity in Turkey, since the first case was reported on March 11th, 2020. Studies suggest a positive association between air pollution and SARS-CoV-2 infection. The aim of the present study was to investigate the role of ambient particulate matters (PM), as potential carriers for SARS-CoV-2. Ambient PM samples in various size ranges were collected from 13 sites including urban and urban-background locations and hospital gardens in 10 cities across Turkey between 13th of May and 14th of June 2020 to investigate the possible presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA on ambient PM. A total of 203 daily samples (TSP, n = 80; PM2.5, n = 33; PM2.5-10, n = 23; PM10μm, n = 19; and 6 size segregated PM, n = 48) were collected using various samplers. The N1 gene and RdRP gene expressions were analyzed for the presence of SARS-CoV-2, as suggested by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). According to real time (RT)-PCR and three-dimensional (3D) digital (d) PCR analysis, dual RdRP and N1 gene positivity were detected in 20 (9.8%) samples. Ambient PM-bound SARS-CoV-2 was analyzed quantitatively and the air concentrations of the virus ranged from 0.1 copies/m3 to 23 copies/m3. The highest percentages of virus detection on PM samples were from hospital gardens in Tekirdağ, Zonguldak, and Istanbul, especially in PM2.5 mode. Findings of this study have suggested that SARS-CoV-2 may be transported by ambient particles, especially at sites close to the infection hot-spots. However, whether this has an impact on the spread of the virus infection remains to be determined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Özgecan Kayalar
- Koç University Research Center for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Akif Arı
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Bolu Abant Izzet Baysal University, Gölköy Campus, Bolu, Turkey
| | - Gizem Babuççu
- Koc University Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Department of Medical Microbiology, Koç University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Nur Konyalılar
- Koç University Research Center for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Özlem Doğan
- Koc University Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Department of Medical Microbiology, Koç University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Füsun Can
- Koc University Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Department of Medical Microbiology, Koç University School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ülkü A Şahin
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Engineering Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Avcılar, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Eftade O Gaga
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Eskişehir Technical University, Eskişehir, Turkey
| | - S Levent Kuzu
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering Faculty, Yildiz Technical University, Esenler, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Pelin Ertürk Arı
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Bolu Abant Izzet Baysal University, Gölköy Campus, Bolu, Turkey
| | - Mustafa Odabaşı
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Dokuz Eylül University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Yücel Taşdemir
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Bursa Uludağ University, Bursa, Turkey
| | - S Sıddık Cindoruk
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Bursa Uludağ University, Bursa, Turkey
| | - Fatma Esen
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Bursa Uludağ University, Bursa, Turkey
| | - Egemen Sakın
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Bursa Uludağ University, Bursa, Turkey
| | - Burak Çalışkan
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Bursa Uludağ University, Bursa, Turkey
| | - Lokman H Tecer
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Çorlu Faculty of Engineering, Namık Kemal University, Tekirdağ, Turkey
| | - Merve Fıçıcı
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Çorlu Faculty of Engineering, Namık Kemal University, Tekirdağ, Turkey
| | - Ahmet Altın
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Zonguldak Bülent Ecevit University, Zonguldak, Turkey
| | - Burcu Onat
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Engineering Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Avcılar, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Coşkun Ayvaz
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Engineering Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Avcılar, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Burcu Uzun
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Engineering Faculty, Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Avcılar, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Arslan Saral
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Civil Engineering Faculty, Yildiz Technical University, Esenler, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Tuncay Döğeroğlu
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Eskişehir Technical University, Eskişehir, Turkey
| | - Semra Malkoç
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Eskişehir Technical University, Eskişehir, Turkey
| | - Özlem Özden Üzmez
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Eskişehir Technical University, Eskişehir, Turkey
| | - Fatma Kunt
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Necmettin Erbakan University, Konya, Turkey
| | - Senar Aydın
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Necmettin Erbakan University, Konya, Turkey
| | - Melik Kara
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Dokuz Eylül University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Barış Yaman
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Dokuz Eylül University, Izmir, Turkey
| | - Güray Doğan
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Bihter Olgun
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Ebru N Dokumacı
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Akdeniz University, Antalya, Turkey
| | - Gülen Güllü
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Elif S Uzunpınar
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Middle East Technical University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Hasan Bayram
- Koç University Research Center for Translational Medicine (KUTTAM), Istanbul, Turkey; Department of Pulmonary Medicine, School of Medicine, Koç University, Istanbul, Turkey.
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Baboli Z, Neisi N, Babaei AA, Ahmadi M, Sorooshian A, Birgani YT, Goudarzi G. On the airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and relationship with indoor conditions at a hospital. Atmos Environ (1994) 2021; 261:118563. [PMID: 34177342 PMCID: PMC8215890 DOI: 10.1016/j.atmosenv.2021.118563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Revised: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2021] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
The limited knowledge about the mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 transmission is a current challenge on a global scale. Among possible transmission routes, air transfer of the virus is thought to be prominent. To investigate this further, measurements were conducted at Razi hospital in Ahvaz, Iran, which was selected to treat COVID-19 severe cases in the Khuzestan province. Passive and active sampling methods were employed and compared with regard to their efficiency for collection of airborne SARS-COV-2 virus particles. Fifty one indoor air samples were collected in two areas, with distances of less than or equal to 1 m (patient room) and more than 3 m away (hallway and nurse station) from patient beds. A simulation method was used to obtain the virus load released by a regularly breathing or coughing individual including a range of microdroplet emissions. Using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), 11.76% (N = 6) of all indoor air samples (N = 51) collected in the COVID-19 ward tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 virus, including 4 cases in patient rooms and 2 cases in the hallway. Also, 5 of the 6 positive cases were confirmed using active sampling methods with only 1 based on passive sampling. The results support airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 bioaerosols in indoor air. Multivariate analysis showed that among 15 parameters studied, the highest correlations with PCR results were obtained for temperature, relative humidity, PM levels, and presence of an air cleaner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeynab Baboli
- Student Research Committee, Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
- Air Pollution and Respiratory Diseases Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Niloofar Neisi
- Clinical Sciences Research Institute, Alimentary Tract Research Center, Department of Medical Virology, School of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Ali Akbar Babaei
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
- Environmental Technologies Research Center (ETRC), Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Mehdi Ahmadi
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
- Environmental Technologies Research Center (ETRC), Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Armin Sorooshian
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
- Department of Hydrology and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA
| | - Yaser Tahmasebi Birgani
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
- Environmental Technologies Research Center (ETRC), Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Gholamreza Goudarzi
- Air Pollution and Respiratory Diseases Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
- Environmental Technologies Research Center (ETRC), Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
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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: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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Yegoraw AA, Assen AM, Gerber PF, Walkden-Brown SW. Transmission of infectious laryngotracheitis virus vaccine and field strains: the role of degree of contact and transmission by whole blood, plasma and poultry dust. Vet Res 2021; 52:91. [PMID: 34158102 PMCID: PMC8220770 DOI: 10.1186/s13567-021-00959-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Understanding the mechanisms of transmission of infectious laryngotracheitis virus (ILTV) is critical to proper control as both vaccine and wild-type strains circulate within chicken flocks with potential adverse consequences. The relative efficiency of transmission by direct contact between chickens and airborne transmission has not been investigated. Furthermore, relatively high levels of ILTV DNA have been detected in poultry dust and blood but the infectivity of these is unknown. In this study, comparison of in-contact and airborne transmission of two vaccine and one field strain of ILTV revealed that all transmitted to 100% of in-contact birds by 6 days post-exposure (dpe). Airborne transmission without contact resulted in 100% transmission by 14 and 17 dpe for the wild-type and Serva vaccine virus but only 27% transmission by 21 dpe for the A20 vaccine virus. The infectivity of dust or extracts of dust and blood or plasma from infected chickens at various stages of infection was assessed by inoculation into susceptible chickens. There was no transmission by any of these materials. In conclusion, direct contact facilitated efficient ILTV transmission but the virus was unable to be transmitted by dust from infected chickens suggestive of a limited role in the epidemiology of ILTV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Addisu A Yegoraw
- Animal Science, School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia.
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Wolaita Sodo University, Wolaita Sodo, Ethiopia.
| | - Awol M Assen
- Animal Science, School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia
- School of Veterinary Medicine, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
| | - Priscilla F Gerber
- Animal Science, School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia
| | - Stephen W Walkden-Brown
- Animal Science, School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, NSW, Australia
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Cela-Dablanca R, Santás-Miguel V, Fernández-Calviño D, Arias-Estévez M, Fernández-Sanjurjo MJ, Álvarez-Rodríguez E, Núñez-Delgado A. SARS-CoV-2 and other main pathogenic microorganisms in the environment: Situation in Galicia and Spain. Environ Res 2021; 197:111049. [PMID: 33753078 PMCID: PMC7979271 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111049] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
In the context of the current COVID-19 pandemic, and mostly taking a broad perspective, it is clearly relevant to study environmental factors that could affect eventual future outbreaks due to coronaviruses and/or other pathogenic microorganisms. In view of that, the authors of this manuscript review the situation of SARS-CoV-2 and other main pathogenic microorganisms in the environment, focusing on Galicia and Spain. Overall, in addition to showing local data, it is put in evidence that, summed to all efforts being carried out to treat/control this and any other eventual future epidemic diseases, both at local and global levels, a deep attention should be paid to ecological/environmental aspects that have effects on the planet, its ecosystems and their relations/associations with the probability of spreading of eventual future pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Cela-Dablanca
- Dept. Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Engineering Polytechnic School, Univ. Santiago de Compostela, 27002, Lugo, Spain
| | - Vanesa Santás-Miguel
- Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Fac. Sciences, Univ. Vigo, 32004, Ourense, Spain
| | | | - Manuel Arias-Estévez
- Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Fac. Sciences, Univ. Vigo, 32004, Ourense, Spain
| | - María J Fernández-Sanjurjo
- Dept. Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Engineering Polytechnic School, Univ. Santiago de Compostela, 27002, Lugo, Spain
| | - Esperanza Álvarez-Rodríguez
- Dept. Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Engineering Polytechnic School, Univ. Santiago de Compostela, 27002, Lugo, Spain
| | - Avelino Núñez-Delgado
- Dept. Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Engineering Polytechnic School, Univ. Santiago de Compostela, 27002, Lugo, Spain.
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Kant R, Yadav P, Kishore S, Bairwa M, Singh M. Is it time to consider shreds of epidemiological and environmental evidence associated with high transmission of COVID-19? J Family Med Prim Care 2021; 10:2120-2125. [PMID: 34322402 PMCID: PMC8284217 DOI: 10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_2371_20] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Revised: 02/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Novel coronavirus named COVID-19 that emerged in late December from Wuhan affected almost the entire globe. Recent studies provided new insight into the high transmission of the disease. This review explores the current evidence of epidemiological and environmental factors associated with high transmission of COVID-19. Even transmission and symptoms found among cats, dogs, ferrets, and tiger suggested low species barrier of the virus. The airborne transmission was found even up to 4 m, and fecal transmission with virus particles and RNA in sewage and wastewater suggests rethinking containment strategies. However, temperature, humidity, and pollution were also associated with transmission and mortality trends of COVID-19. To better mitigate and contain the current pandemic, it is a need of hours to consider the recent shreds of evidence to prevent further spread and require detailed investigations of these evidences by extensive epidemiological and meteorological studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ravi Kant
- General Medicine, AIIMS, Uttrakhand, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Poonam Yadav
- College of Nursing, AIIMS, Uttrakhand, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India
| | | | - Mukesh Bairwa
- General Medicine, AIIMS, Uttrakhand, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India
| | - Mahendra Singh
- Community and Family Medicine, AIIMS, Uttrakhand, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand, India
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Casper E. Occupational health risk among healthcare workers during COVID-19 pandemic: actions to limit the risk. J Egypt Public Health Assoc 2021; 96:13. [PMID: 34028611 PMCID: PMC8142066 DOI: 10.1186/s42506-021-00076-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
The World Health Organization declared coronavirus infection 2019 (COVID-19) as a pandemic in March 2020. The infection with coronavirus started in Wuhan city, China, in December 2019. As of October 2020, the disease was reported in 235 countries. The coronavirus infection 2019 (COVID-19) is a disease with high morbidity and mortality. As of February 2021, the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 globally is 102,942,987 and 2,232,233 deaths according to WHO report. This infection is caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), which is a ribonucleic acid (RNA) β-coronavirus. The infection is mainly transmitted through respiratory droplets. Healthcare workers (HCWs) play an essential role at the front lines, providing care for patients infected with this highly transmittable disease. They are exposed to very high occupational health risk as they frequently contact the infective persons. In order to limit the number of infected cases and deaths among healthcare workers, it is crucial to have better awareness, optimistic attitude, efficient PPE, and adequate health practices about COVID-19.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eman Casper
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain-Shams University, Cairo, Egypt.
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Jiang X, Loeb JC, Pan M, Tilly TB, Eiguren-Fernandez A, Lednicky JA, Wu CY, Fan ZH. Integration of sample preparation with RNA-Amplification in a hand-held device for airborne virus detection. Anal Chim Acta 2021; 1165:338542. [PMID: 33975694 DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2021.338542] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/03/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 04/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Aerosol transmission is one of the three major transmission routes of respiratory viruses. However, the dynamics and significance of the aerosol transmission route are not well understood, partially due to the lack of rapid and efficient tools for on-the-spot detection of airborne viruses. We report a hand-held device that integrates a 3D-printed sample preparation unit with a laminated paper-based RNA amplification unit. The sample preparation unit features an innovative reagent delivery scheme based on a ball-based valve capable of storing and delivering reagents through the rotation of the unit without manual pipetting, while the paper-based unit enables RNA enrichment and reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP). We have determined the detection limit of the integrated sample-preparation/amplification device (SPAD) at 1 TCID50 H1N1 influenza viruses in 140 μL aqueous sample. Further, we integrated SPAD with a previously reported viable virus aerosol sampler (VIVAS), a water-vapor-based condensational growth system capable of collecting aerosolized virus particles (Pan et al., 2016) [1]. Using the combined VIVAS-SPAD platform, we have demonstrated the collection/detection of lab-generated, airborne H1N1 influenza viruses in 65 min, suggesting that the platform has a potential for detecting and monitoring airborne virus transmission during outbreaks. The effective sampling and rapid detection of airborne viruses by the sample-to-answer platform will also help us better understand the dynamics and significance of aerosol transmission of infectious disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao Jiang
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, P.O. Box 116131, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA
| | - Julia C Loeb
- Department of Environmental and Global Health, and Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Maohua Pan
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, Engineering School of Sustainable Infrastructure and Environment, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | - Trevor B Tilly
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, Engineering School of Sustainable Infrastructure and Environment, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA
| | | | - John A Lednicky
- Department of Environmental and Global Health, and Emerging Pathogens Institute, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
| | - Chang-Yu Wu
- Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences, Engineering School of Sustainable Infrastructure and Environment, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.
| | - Z Hugh Fan
- J. Crayton Pruitt Family Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Florida, P.O. Box 116131, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA; Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of Florida, P.O. Box 116250, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA; Department of Chemistry, University of Florida, P.O. Box 117200, Gainesville, FL, 32611, USA.
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da Silva PG, Nascimento MSJ, Soares RRG, Sousa SIV, Mesquita JR. Airborne spread of infectious SARS-CoV-2: Moving forward using lessons from SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. Sci Total Environ 2021; 764:142802. [PMID: 33071145 PMCID: PMC7543729 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 09/29/2020] [Indexed: 04/13/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Although an increasing body of data reports the detection of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in air, this does not correlate to the presence of infectious viruses, thus not evaluating the risk for airborne COVID-19. Hence there is a marked knowledge gap that requires urgent attention. Therefore, in this systematic review, viability/stability of airborne SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV viruses is discussed. METHODS A systematic literature review was performed on PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science and Scopus to assess the stability and viability of SARS-CoV, MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 on air samples. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The initial search identified 27 articles. Following screening of titles and abstracts and removing duplicates, 11 articles were considered relevant. Temperatures ranging from 20 °C to 25 °C and relative humidity ranging from 40% to 50% were reported to have a protective effect on viral viability for airborne SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV. As no data is yet available on the conditions influencing viability for airborne SARS-CoV-2, and given the genetic similarity to SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, one could extrapolate that the same conditions would apply. Nonetheless, the effect of these conditions seems to be residual considering the increasing number of cases in the south of USA, Brazil and India, where high temperatures and humidities have been observed. CONCLUSION Higher temperatures and high relative humidity can have a modest effect on SARS-CoV-2 viability in the environment, as reported in previous studies to this date. However, these studies are experimental, and do not support the fact that the virus has efficiently spread in the tropical regions of the globe, with other transmission routes such as the contact and droplet ones probably being responsible for the majority of cases reported in these regions, along with other factors such as human mobility patterns and contact rates. Further studies are needed to investigate the extent of aerosol transmission of SARS-CoV-2 as this would have important implications for public health and infection-control policies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maria São José Nascimento
- Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto (FFUP), Porto, Portugal; Epidemiology Research Unit (EPIUnit), Institute of Public Health, 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
| | - Sofia I V Sousa
- LEPABE - Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
| | - João R Mesquita
- Abel Salazar Institute of Biomedical Sciences (ICBAS), University of Porto, Porto, Portugal; Epidemiology Research Unit (EPIUnit), Institute of Public Health, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
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Lee S, Kim J, Lee J. Colonization of toxic cyanobacteria on the surface and inside of leafy green: A hidden source of cyanotoxin production and exposure. Food Microbiol 2021; 94:103655. [PMID: 33279080 DOI: 10.1016/j.fm.2020.103655] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2020] [Revised: 09/30/2020] [Accepted: 10/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023]
Abstract
Cyanobacteria are a threat to the safety of water sources for drinking, recreation, and food production, because some cyanobacteria, such as Microcystis, produce cyanotoxins. However, the colonization of plants by Microcystis and the fate of their toxin, microcystins (MCs), in agricultural environments have not been thoroughly studied. This study examined the colonization of lettuce, as a representative of leafy greens, by Microcystis and its potential impact on food safety and crop health. The surfaces of lettuce leaves were exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations of M. aeruginosa (104, 106, and 108mcyE gene copies/mL) by mimicking contamination scenarios during cultivation, such as spraying irrigation with contaminated water or deposits of airborne Microcystis. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and droplet digital PCR were used. The results showed that M. aeruginosa colonized the surface of leaves and MCs accumulated in the edible part of the lettuce (>20 μg/kg of lettuce). Crop productivity (length, weight, and number of leaves) was negatively affected. The SEM images provide evidence that M. aeruginosa deposited on the lettuce surface can be internalized via natural opening sites of the leaves and then proliferate within the plants. Our findings imply that toxic cyanobacteria contamination in agricultural environments can be a significant cyanotoxin exposure pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seungjun Lee
- College of Public Health, Division of Environmental Health Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA
| | - Jinnam Kim
- Department of Biology, Kyungsung University, Busan, South Korea
| | - Jiyoung Lee
- College of Public Health, Division of Environmental Health Sciences, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA; Department of Food Science and Technology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
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Bayle S, Drapeau A, Rocher J, Laurent F, Métayer V, Haenni M, Madec JY, Valat C. Characterization of cultivable airborne bacteria and their antimicrobial resistance pattern in French milking parlour. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2021; 28:11689-11696. [PMID: 33411281 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-11974-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The main goal of this preliminary study was to quantify airborne particles and characterize the dominant cultivable bacterial species as well as some Gram-positive species, and their antibiotic resistance pattern, from environmental samples taken inside and outside of a dairy milking parlour. Sampling was performed over 2 days, in different seasons. The small viable particulate matter < 10 μm (bioaerosols) and cultivable bacteria reached their highest concentrations in the milking parlour. The majority of airborne bacteria in the milking parlour belonged to the genera Staphylococcus (41.9%) and Bacillus (20.9%). A total of 32 different bacterial species of Staphylococcus, Aerococcus, Bacillus, Pseudomonas, Serratia and Acinetobacter were identified. Many of these bacteria may be opportunistic pathogens, causing disease in humans or animals. We found low levels of acquired resistance to the antibiotics commonly used in human or animal infections caused by these opportunistic bacteria. More specifically, resistance to tetracyclines (13.4%), penicillin G (13.4%) and macrolides (7.5%) was identified in Staphylococcus sp. as was a methicillin-resistant S. hominis and resistance to spiramycin (n = 1), lincomycin (n = 1) and streptomycin (n = 2) in Aerococcus sp. An assessment of the occupational risk run by dairy farmers for contracting infections after long- or short-term exposure to micro-organisms requires further studies on the concentration of opportunistic pathogenic bacteria in dairy farm environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sandrine Bayle
- Laboratoire Génie de l'Environnement Industriel, IMT- Mines d'Alès, Université de Montpellier, 30100, Alès, France
| | - Antoine Drapeau
- Anses, Unité Antibiorésistance et Virulence Bactériennes, Lyon cedex 07, 69364, France
| | | | - Frédéric Laurent
- Institut des agents Infectieux, CIRI, International Center for Infectiology Research, Lyon cedex 07, 69364, France
- Ecole Normale Supérieure de Lyon, Lyon, 69342, France
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, 69100, France
| | - Véronique Métayer
- Anses, Unité Antibiorésistance et Virulence Bactériennes, Lyon cedex 07, 69364, France
| | - Marisa Haenni
- Anses, Unité Antibiorésistance et Virulence Bactériennes, Lyon cedex 07, 69364, France
| | - Jean-Yves Madec
- Anses, Unité Antibiorésistance et Virulence Bactériennes, Lyon cedex 07, 69364, France
| | - Charlotte Valat
- Anses, Unité Antibiorésistance et Virulence Bactériennes, Lyon cedex 07, 69364, France.
- Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, Villeurbanne, 69100, France.
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Pedrotti ML, Petit S, Eyheraguibel B, Kerros ME, Elineau A, Ghiglione JF, Loret JF, Rostan A, Gorsky G. Pollution by anthropogenic microfibers in North-West Mediterranean Sea and efficiency of microfiber removal by a wastewater treatment plant. Sci Total Environ 2021; 758:144195. [PMID: 33338794 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.144195] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2020] [Revised: 11/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/27/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The widespread pollution from the release of microfibers is an emerging concern as they are a potential threat to the environment. Their identification in samples in terms of quantity and pathways remain a challenge as contamination can be a major source of error. A systematic study of synthetic microfibers (MFs) has been carried out in different environmental compartments of an urban area and in the surface waters of the northwestern Mediterranean. The quantity, size and type of polymer of MFs were recorded in air, in waste water from a domestic washing machine, at the inlet and outlet of the Haliotis urban wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) in Nice (Provence Alpes Côte-d'Azur, France) and in a variety of coastal and offshore areas. The results showed that MFs released by clothes during washing (on average of 13 × 106 MFs per m3) are an important emitter of microplastics. Despite its high removal efficiency (87.5% to 98.5%) by Haliotis, a large number of MFs, estimated at 4.3 billion, enter the marine environment daily from the treatment plant. The attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) characterization of the raw materials showed that 14 to 50% of fibers are synthetic, mostly polyester and polyamide, the remaining 35 to 72% being natural polymers (cotton, wool) or manufactured by processing natural polymers (especially cellulose). MFs were found in all environmental compartments studied and appear to be widespread in coastal and offshore surface waters with concentrations varying from 2.6 × 103 to 3.70 × 104 m-3. The sources of MFs in the marine environment are multiple, with laundry fibers discharges from WWTP and the atmospheric transport of urban fibers are among the main pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- M L Pedrotti
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Laboratoire d'Océanographie de Villefranche, LOV, F-O6230 Villefranche-sur-mer, France.
| | - S Petit
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Laboratoire d'Océanographie de Villefranche, LOV, F-O6230 Villefranche-sur-mer, France; SUEZ International, 183, avenue du 18 juin 1940, 92500 Rueil-Malmaison, France
| | - B Eyheraguibel
- Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, SIGMA Clermont, Institut de Chimie (ICCF), F-63000 Clermont, Ferrand, France
| | - M E Kerros
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Laboratoire d'Océanographie de Villefranche, LOV, F-O6230 Villefranche-sur-mer, France
| | - A Elineau
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Laboratoire d'Océanographie de Villefranche, LOV, F-O6230 Villefranche-sur-mer, France
| | - J F Ghiglione
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Laboratoire d'Océanographie Microbienne, UMR 7621, Observatoire Océanologique de Banyuls, Banyuls-sur-Mer, France
| | - J F Loret
- SUEZ Groupe, CIRSEE, 78 230 Le Pecq, France
| | - A Rostan
- Régie Eau d'Azur, Rimiez, Nice, France
| | - G Gorsky
- Sorbonne Université, CNRS, Laboratoire d'Océanographie de Villefranche, LOV, F-O6230 Villefranche-sur-mer, France
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Cimolai N. The semantics of airborne microbial spread and environmental relevance: Back to Anderson and Cox. Environ Res 2021; 193:110448. [PMID: 33212132 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.110448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2020] [Revised: 10/29/2020] [Accepted: 11/08/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Nevio Cimolai
- Faculty of Medicine, The University of British Columbia, Children's and Women's Health Centre of British Columbia, 4480 Oak Street Vancouver, B.C. V6H3V4, Canada
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Fennelly M, Keane J, Dolan L, Plant BJ, O'Connor DJ, Sodeau JR, Prentice MB. Containment of procedure-associated aerosols by an extractor tent: effect on nebulized drug particle dispersal. J Hosp Infect 2021; 110:108-113. [PMID: 33484782 PMCID: PMC7817412 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2021.01.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2020] [Revised: 01/12/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Background Several medical procedures involving the respiratory tract are considered as ‘aerosol-generating procedures’. Aerosols from these procedures may be inhaled by bystanders, and there are consequent concerns regarding the transmission of infection or, specific to nebulized therapy, secondary drug exposure. Aim To assess the efficacy of a proprietary high-efficiency-particulate-air-filtering extractor tent on reducing the aerosol dispersal of nebulized bronchodilator drugs. Methods The study was conducted in an unoccupied outpatient room at St. James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland. A novel real-time, fluorescent particle counter, the Wideband Integrated Bioaerosol Sensor (WIBS), monitored room air continuously for 3 h. Baseline airborne particle count and count during nebulization of bronchodilator drug solutions were recorded. Findings Nebulization within the tent prevented any increase over background level. Nebulization directly into room air resulted in mean fluorescent particle counts of 4.75 x 105/m3 and 4.21 x 105/m3 for Ventolin and Ipramol, respectively, representing more than 400-fold increases over mean background level. More than 99.3% of drug particles were <2 μm in diameter and therefore small enough to enter the lower respiratory tract. Conclusion The extractor tent was completely effective for the prevention of airborne spread of drug particles of respirable size from nebulized therapy. This suggests that extractor tents of this type would be efficacious for the prevention of airborne infection from aerosol-generating procedures during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Fennelly
- Environmental Research Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; Department of Pathology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
| | - J Keane
- Respiratory Assessment Unit, St. James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - L Dolan
- Respiratory Assessment Unit, St. James's Hospital, Dublin, Ireland
| | - B J Plant
- Adult Cystic Fibrosis Centre, Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland
| | - D J O'Connor
- School of Chemical and Pharmaceutical Sciences, Technological University Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - J R Sodeau
- Environmental Research Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - M B Prentice
- Department of Pathology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland; APC Microbiome Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
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Chen B, Jia P, Han J. Role of indoor aerosols for COVID-19 viral transmission: a review. Environ Chem Lett 2021; 19:1953-1970. [PMID: 33462543 PMCID: PMC7805572 DOI: 10.1007/s10311-020-01174-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
The relationship between outdoor atmospheric pollution by particulate matter and the morbidity and mortality of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infections was recently disclosed, yet the role of indoor aerosols is poorly known . Since people spend most of their time indoor, indoor aerosols are closer to human occupants than outdoors, thus favoring airborne transmission of COVID-19. Therefore, here we review the characteristics of aerosol particles emitted from indoor sources, and how exposure to particles affects human respiratory infections and transport of airborne pathogens. We found that tobacco smoking, cooking, vacuum cleaning, laser printing, burning candles, mosquito coils and incenses generate large quantities of particles, mostly in the ultrafine range below 100 nm. These tiny particles stay airborne, are deposited in the deeper regions of human airways and are difficult to be removed by the respiratory system. As a consequence, adverse effects can be induced by inhaled aerosol particles via oxidative stress and inflammation. Early epidemiological evidence and animal studies have revealed the adverse effects of particle exposure in respiratory infections. In particular, inhaled particles can impair human respiratory systems and immune functions, and induce the upregulation of angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, thus inducing higher vulnerability to COVID-19 infection. Moreover, co-production of inflammation mediators by COVID-19 infection and particle exposure magnifies the cytokine storm and aggravates symptoms in patients. We also discuss the role of indoor aerosol particles as virus carriers. Although many hypotheses were proposed, there is still few knowledge on interactions between aerosol articles and virus-laden droplets or droplet nuclei.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Chen
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, College of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000 People’s Republic of China
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710049 People’s Republic of China
| | - Puqi Jia
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, College of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, 730000 People’s Republic of China
| | - Jie Han
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an, 710049 People’s Republic of China
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Yarahmadi R, Bokharaei-Salim F, Soleimani-Alyar S, Moridi P, Moradi-Moghaddam O, Niakan-Lahiji M, Darvishi MM, Golmahammadi S, Mousavi SAJ, Ebrahimi H, Ashtarinezad A, Farshad AA, Jonidi-Jafari A, Kiani SJ, Garshasbi S, Mehrzadi S. Occupational exposure of health care personnel to SARS-CoV-2 particles in the intensive care unit of Tehran hospital. Int J Environ Sci Technol (Tehran) 2021; 18:3739-3746. [PMID: 33552192 PMCID: PMC7850955 DOI: 10.1007/s13762-020-03095-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Revised: 09/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
The outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) has attracted much attention to study its possible presence and airborne transmission. The possibility of COVID-19 airborne transmission in indoor environments is debatable. The present study examined the concentration of viral RNA-containing particles produced directly or indirectly by breathing or coughing of confirmed COVID-19 patients or by carriers without symptoms. Some studies do not accept this method of transmission (COVID-19 airborne transmission). The present study aimed to measure the possible exposure of health care personnel to SARS-CoV-2 particles that may have been suspended in the air to respond to the hypothesis of COVID-19 airborne transmission. Airborne particle sampling was performed using impingement method based on NIOSH (chapter BA) and ASHRAE. Selection of sampling sections was in line with the WHO guidelines. The samples were analyzed using RT-PCR technique. Based on the given results, airborne particles of COVID-19 may present in the air and affect the health of hospital personnel. In fact, the analysis of gene expression in ambient conditions and thereby aerosol transmission of SARS-CoV-2 through air is possible and may lead to occupational exposure of health care personnel. Furthermore, it was found that airborne emission of COVID-19 through the breathing zone of patients, particularly in ICU wards with confirmed cases of COVID-19, may be higher than in other ICU wards. Also, the demonstrated results showed that there is a possibility of reaerosolization (reintroduction) of previously airborne SARS-CoV-2 particles into the atmosphere due to health care personnel frequently walking between different wards and stations of ICU.
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Affiliation(s)
- R. Yarahmadi
- Air Pollution Research Center, Department of Occupational Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - F. Bokharaei-Salim
- Department of Virology, Faculty of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - S. Soleimani-Alyar
- Air Pollution Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - P. Moridi
- Air Pollution Research Core, Pars Plasma Bonyan (Knowledge Based Co), Tehran, Iran
| | - O. Moradi-Moghaddam
- Trauma and Injury Research Center, Critical Care Medicine Department, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - M. Niakan-Lahiji
- FCCM. Anesthesiology and Critical Care Department, Trauma and Injury Research Center, Rasool-E-Akram Complex Hospital, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - M.-M. Darvishi
- Department of Engineering, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran
| | - S. Golmahammadi
- Air Pollution Research Core, Pars Plasma Bonyan (Knowledge Based Co), Tehran, Iran
| | - S. A. J. Mousavi
- Air Pollution Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - H. Ebrahimi
- Air Pollution Research Center, Department of Occupational Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - A. Ashtarinezad
- Air Pollution Research Center, Department of Occupational Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - A.-A. Farshad
- Occupational Health Research Center, Department of Occupational Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - A. Jonidi-Jafari
- Department of Environmental Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - S. J. Kiani
- School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - S. Garshasbi
- Vice Chancellor for Health Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - S. Mehrzadi
- Razi Drug Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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