Qualitative real-time schlieren and shadowgraph imaging of human exhaled airflows: an aid to aerosol infection control.

ABSTRACT: Using a newly constructed airflow imaging system, airflow patterns were visualized that were associated with common, everyday respiratory activities (e.g. breathing, talking, laughing, whistling). The effectiveness of various interventions (e.g. putting hands and tissues across the mouth and nose) to reduce the potential transmission of airborne infection, whilst coughing and sneezing, were also investigated. From the digital video footage recorded, it was seen that both coughing and sneezing are relatively poorly contained by commonly used configurations of single-handed shielding maneuvers. Only some but not all of the forward momentum of the cough and sneeze puffs are curtailed with various hand techniques, and the remaining momentum is disseminated in a large puff in the immediate vici

SUBMITTER: Tang JW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3120871 | biostudies-literature | 2011

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature