Thread by @linseymarr

Our paper examining the origins of the erroneous 5 μm cutoff for aerosols v. droplets and the 6' rule is now published. One of my fave interdisciplinary collaborations yet, involving rhetoric, history, aerosol science, fluid dynamics. royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rs… /1

With @katierandall @EThomasEwing @jljcolorado Bourouiba. The 5-μm error came from conflation of how droplets/aerosols move through the air with where they deposit in the respiratory tract. The 6' rule came from misinterpretation of studies with bacteria settle plates. /2

These became entrenched through "citogenesis," which I would define as propagation of mis-cited work. /3 xkcd.com/978/

Here's a dramatic telling of Randall's detective work: wired.com/story/the-teen… /4