"Spread of infectious agents through the air in complex spaces" explores effects of buoyancy, turbulence and their influence on how far aerosols travel, also effects of turbulence and stratification on the spread of infectious agents indoors. royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/full/10.10… /2
"COVID-19: the case for aerosol transmission" reviews evidence from respiratory physiology, lab studies, field measurements, outbreak investigations, animal models. /3
"Comparing aerosol number and mass exhalation rates from children and adults during breathing, speaking and singing" reports that older kids and adults produce similar amounts of aerosols, and singing > talking >> breathing. royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/full/10.10… /4
"Outbreak of SARS-CoV-2 at a hospice: terminated after the implementation of enhanced aerosol infection control measures" included opening of windows, universal masking for staff & taking breaks separately, screening for asymptomatic infection. royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/full/10.10… /5
"High attack rate in a Tong Lau house outbreak of COVID-19 with subdivided units in Hong Kong" finds evidence of spread through wastewater drainage pipes, poor ventilation. Attack rate = 25%. royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/full/10.10… /6
"Modelling airborne transmission of SARS-CoV-2 using CARA: risk assessment for enclosed spaces" presents a model to assess potential exposure of airborne SARS-CoV-2 viruses, with emphasis on virological and immunological factors. royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/full/10.10… /7
"An exploration of the political, social, economic and cultural factors affecting how different global regions initially reacted to the COVID-19 pandemic" looks at answers to the questions shown below in different regions: royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/full/10.10… /8
Lidia Morawska led this retrospective piece on our efforts to convince the WHO to recognize airborne transmission. I contributed to some of the recommendations: academic.oup.com/cid/article/76… /1
1. Multidisciplinary mechanisms should be created by which decision-makers should be accountable for using or rejecting science, in a transparent and timely manner.
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2. Decision makers should use the best available science and not contort the science in order to fit a decision that may hinge on multiple factors. /3
Particles were mostly C, some Na+P+K+Cl, heterogeneous. /2
We classified them (% of total particle number): ~52% carbonaceous, ~45% Na-rich salt, <1% P-rich or K-rich salt, ~2% mixed salt. Number ratio of Na-rich salt to carbonaceous particles increased with increasing particle size... /3
Fascinating video about the history of mask use since the time of the bubonic plague @NEJM. China's experience with Manchurian plague probably made mask wearing more acceptable there. Anti-mask sentiment in US during 1918 flu. nejm.org/doi/full/10.10… HT Julian Tang. My take... /1
Masks work vs. masks don't work. Both sides are right and both are wrong because masks are neither 100% nor 0% effective. It is certain that they reduce exposure to airborne pathogens, and this reduces the risk of transmission and infection. N95/KN95 > surgical > cloth. /2
Masks are one of many tools that we can use to protect public health. They have costs and benefits that society and individuals must weigh. /3
ASHRAE's Positions on Infectious Aerosols document just published at ashrae.org/file%20library…. Proud to have worked on this with committee of experts for >1 yr. Positions: /1
* Exposure to infectious aerosols is an important factor in the transmission of infections in indoor environments between a source and a susceptible individual. /2
* Engineering controls demonstrated to reduce the risk of exposure to infectious aerosols include dilution with outdoor air provided by mechanical or natural ventilation, filtration of indoor air, indoor airflow patterns, and... /3
“If you’re doing extra hand washing ... then you should also be wearing a good mask in crowded indoor environments,” Marr said. “If you’re bothering to clean the surfaces, then you should be bothering to clean the air.” /1
Article cites a fun study of rhinovirus transmission. Infected + susceptible men played poker. Some wore restraints and couldn't touch face. >50% became infected, presumably aerosols. Soggy cards were moved to different room with new susceptibles. 0 became infected... /2
It's clear to me that Ebola is NOT transmitted mainly through the airborne route, but there is a chance for aerosolization of virus-laden fluids (e.g., diarrhea). We evaluated this using surrogates in toilets, sewer, wastewater treatment. /1
"Transmission is not thought to occur via air, water, or food, although in theory, aerosolization of blood and body fluids has the potential to lead to infection, as aerosol transmission has been demonstrated in nonhuman primates." /2
"Besides inhalation of aerosolized virus, contact of unprotected mucous membranes such as the eyes and mouth with aerosolized virus is also a potential route of transmission." /3