Association between in situ ventilation and human-generated aerosol exposure in meatpacking plants during the COVID-19 pandemic.

ABSTRACT: During the COVID-19 pandemic, meatpacking workers were disproportionately affected by disease. Large outbreaks at meatpacking facilities resulted in loss of life and threatened the well-being of workers across the globe. Much work was done throughout the pandemic to understand and prevent these outbreaks. This study combined ventilation system evaluation and measurement of human-generated respiratory aerosol to investigate and identify areas of highest risk for disease transmission. These findings confirm that improved ventilation reduces exposure to human-generated aerosols in meatpacking facilities, including those that may contain infectious agents, such as SARS-CoV-2. This study suggests areas of greatest risk are likely areas where workers break from work, such as cafeterias and locke

SUBMITTER: Santarpia JL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11651551 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature