Peak risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection within 5 s of face-to-face encounters: an observational/retrospective study.

ABSTRACT: The link between aerosol dynamics and viral exposure risk is not fully understood, particularly during movement and face-to-face interactions. To investigate this, we employed Particle Trace Velocimetry with a laser sheet and a high-speed camera to measure microparticles from a human mannequin's mouth. The average peak time in the non-ventilated condition (expiratory volume, 30 L; passing speed, 5 km/h) was 1.33 s (standard deviation = 0.32 s), while that in the ventilated condition was 1.38 s (standard deviation = 0.35 s). Our results showed that the peak of viral exposure risk was within 5 s during face-to-face encounters under both ventilated and non-ventilated conditions. Moreover, the risk of viral exposure greatly decreased in ventilated conditions compared to non-ventilated conditio

SUBMITTER: Asai T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10579401 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature