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Passively sensing SARS-CoV-2 RNA in public transit buses.
Jason S Hoffman1, Matthew Hirano2, Nuttada Panpradist3
1Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science and Engineering, University of Washington, 185 E. Stevens Way NE, Seattle 98195, WA, USA.
The Science of the Total Environment
|January 10, 2022
Summary
Public bus air filters can detect SARS-CoV-2 RNA, acting as passive sensors. This method offers a feasible way to track respiratory disease transmission in urban transit systems.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Public Health
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Tracking respiratory infectious diseases in urban transport is crucial for public health.
- Existing methods for disease surveillance in public transit are limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and test a method for detecting SARS-CoV-2 RNA in public bus air filters.
- To evaluate the feasibility of using air filters as passive sensors for viral presence.
Main Methods:
- SARS-CoV-2 RNA detection in public bus air filters using phenol-chloroform extraction and RT-qPCR.
- Filters were collected from HVAC systems of public buses in Seattle, WA.
Main Results:
- SARS-CoV-2 RNA was detected in 14% (5/37) of the tested public bus air filters.
- The study period was from August 2020 to March 2021.
Conclusions:
- Public bus air filters can serve as effective passive fabric sensors for detecting SARS-CoV-2 RNA.
- This scalable method can provide insights into geographically relevant disease transmission via public transit.
- The approach passively samples transit riders over time without additional vehicle systems.
