Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 8, 2025
Quantification and Whole Genome Characterization of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in Wastewater and Air Samples
Published on: June 30, 2023
Risk assessment of airborne transmission of COVID-19 by asymptomatic individuals under different practical settings
Siyao Shao1,2, Dezhi Zhou1, Ruichen He1,2
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, 111 Church ST SE, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, 55414, USA.
Abstract:
The lack of quantitative risk assessment of airborne transmission of COVID-19 under practical settings leads to large uncertainties and inconsistencies in our preventive measures. Combining in situ measurements and computational fluid dynamics simulations, we quantify the exhaled particles from normal respiratory behaviors and their transport under elevator, small classroom, and supermarket settings to evaluate the risk of inhaling potentially virus-containing particles. Our results show that the design of ventilation is critical for reducing the risk of particle encounters. Inappropriate design can significantly limit the efficiency of particle removal, create local hot spots with orders of magnitude higher risks, and enhance particle deposition causing surface contamination. Additionally, our measurements reveal the presence of a substantial fraction of faceted particles from normal breathing and its strong correlation with breathing depth.
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