Modeling the effect of temperature and relative humidity on exposure to SARS-CoV-2 in a mechanically ventilated room.

ABSTRACT: Computational fluid dynamics models have been developed to predict airborne exposure to the SARS-CoV-2 virus from a coughing person in a mechanically ventilated room. The models were run with three typical indoor air temperatures and relative humidities (RH). Quantile regression was used to indicate whether these have a statistically significant effect on the airborne exposure. Results suggest that evaporation is an important effect. Evaporation leads to respiratory particles, particularly those with initial diameters between 20 and 100 μm, remaining airborne for longer, traveling extended distances and carrying more viruses than expected from their final diameter. In a mechanically ventilated room, with all of the associated complex air movement and turbulence, increasing the RH may resul

SUBMITTER: Foat TG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10099484 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature