Large Particle Emissions from Human Vocalization and Playing of Wind Instruments.

Area of Science:

• Aerosol science
• Respiratory health
• Infectious disease transmission

Background:

• Large salivary particles (>35 μm) emitted during vocalization and instrument playing are relevant to respiratory disease spread.
• Limited research exists on the emission rates and size distributions of these large particles.

Purpose of the Study:

• To quantify large particle emissions from talking, singing, and wind instrument playing.
• To assess the effectiveness of face masks and bell covers in mitigating these emissions.

Main Methods:

• Characterized large particle emissions (dₚ > 35 μm) from 70 volunteers during vocal tasks and wind instrument playing.
• Measured particle count emission rates and size distributions.
• Evaluated mitigation efficacies of face masks during singing and bell covers during instrument playing.

Main Results:

• Talking generated the highest emission rates (95.1 min⁻¹), followed by singing and then instrument playing (3.8 min⁻¹).
• Age, sex, CO₂ emissions, and loudness did not predict large particle emissions.
• Face masks reduced singing emissions by 92.5%; bell covers had minimal effect on instrument emissions.

Conclusions:

• Vocal activities, particularly talking, are significant sources of large respiratory particles.
• Face masks are effective in reducing large particle emissions during singing.
• Further research may be needed to understand factors influencing large particle generation and transmission.